Hey, has anyone tried the fork spacer mod in this site?
Does pvc work good? Does diameter matter? how big?
Can I screw anything up mechanically doing this?
Thanks for any help
many have done the fork spacer mod. You can use schedule 40 or schedule 80 pvc instead of solid. Diameter should be same as what's in there now, not sure exactly what that is. You can take one side out and take existing spacer with you for size comparison (new fork spacer goes on top of existing-or cut length of full spacer + added 3/4-1" to replace altogether) Only place you can screw anything up is installing the fork caps back on-it's really easy to cross thread them.
This mod has minimal success and I'd recommend just moving on to progressive suspension fork springs (only $60).
Check this link out for info on installing the springs (general info will also help you with your fork spacer mod too):
http://pantablo500.tripod.com/pablosgs500page/id2.html
I just did the Progressive fork spring mod and I STRONGLY recommend it. The difference is very noticeable. Go read the instructions at Pablo's site. I pretty much just followed those to a T and the job was cake with the exception of one thing:
Pablo's directions stated that the fork cap could be opened using a 3/8" drive socket wrench with no socket, but mine (2002 GS) required a 1/2" drive.
One recommendation if you go ahead and add a spacer on top of the stock ones:
The stock spacers are very thin hollow metal. If you put PVC on top of them, you should definitely put a washer between the stock and the PVC, so strong front wheel impact (braking or bump) doesn't cause the PVC to get jammed inside the stock spacer.
As for what spacer to use, per Pablo's recommendation, I used 2 schedule 40 1/2" PVC Caps (one per fork). They are 1" in length, almost exactly the same diameter as the stock spacers, and cost $.13 each. Seriously though, go to the Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse and get the Progressive Springs. They are the best mod you can do for your riding experience.
I think mine was 1/2" too...I may have that wrong on my site. Thanks-I'll correct it.
best $60 you can spend...and will take you the same time to do as a fork spacer mod (or less)!
After 25,000 miles I finally gave in and installed Progressive springs last Saturday. I left the fork oil alone and just swapped out the springs and spacers from the top.
The difference isn't as big as I anticipated, but that could be BECAUSE I didn't change (or even measure) the fork oil. My local shop replaced some fork seals shortly after I got the bike, so who knows what was in there....
I HAVE noticed one definite difference - when I'm blasting away from a light or something, and running quickly through the gears. The bike used to dive when I pulled in the clutch, and then rock back when I hit the throttle again. Not any more -- hey, that's nice! It was especially noticeable when I rode two-up; can you say "helmet clack"? I haven't taken my wife anywhere since the swap, so we'll see.
Anyway, I wanted to "document" what I did with the spacers. I'm sure it was just me, but I couldn't find any 1/2" PVC Schedule 40 end caps at my local home center. I ended up buying a 1/2" Schedule 80 connector instead. It had NO threads on either end. (There were some that had inner threads on one side. These had a too-large overall diameter because of a thicker sidewall.)
(http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/100_0327_HalfInchPVC_Schedule80Connector.jpg)
When I got the connector home I compared it against the stock fork cap and spacer:
(http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/100_0325_PVCConnectorComparedToForkParts.jpg)
I cut the connector in half, and found that I had to remove the hex-shaped flats on each half so they would clear the threads in the fork tubes. (I used my oscillating spindle sander, so it just took a minute or so for each one.)
(http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/100_0326_PVCConnectorBeforeAndAfter.jpg)
Hope this helps somebody out there!
EDIT: Changed links from sisna.com to bbburma.net
I bought my spacers off a guy that sells them on ebay. They are 1". I installed them and like them. They really stiffened up the front end. There are a few dips on my way to work that SERIOUSLY upset the bike before and now I can just blast through them. I like them but you do lose that amount of travel. Sometimes I jam around my field on the GS and I can bottom them then but on the street they are fine. I need to go to thicker weight oil.
Today I installed my racetech springs. I went with Racetech non-progressive springs because I plan to add some cartridge emulators down the road. They were kind enough to include some aluminum tubing for spacer material, tuning instructions, and a generous helping of stickers. If you have the tools and the time, I'd recommend changing the fork oil, too, while you're at it. My fork oil came out black and pretty cruddy, so it was about due. It wasn't very hard, just time consuming. I had to go to work, so I haven't gotten a test ride in just yet. I'll post details once I try them out.