Has anyone done the Fork Spacer Modification? Is it worth the trouble? I need to change my Fork oil and I was thinking of trying the Mod.

Quote from: mike10 on February 03, 2011, 01:47:50 AM
Has anyone done the Fork Spacer Modification? Is it worth the trouble? I need to change my Fork oil and I was thinking of trying the Mod.

Yep, I've machined two pieces of aluminium pipe 35mm longer than original spacers, together with 15W fork oil.
One of smartest upgrades, I must say.

My Progressive spring kit came with PVC that I just cut with a hack saw.  No big deal.  Super easy and immensely beneficial.

when i bought my bike there were already longer spacers in there, by about 30mm i would guess

and i can still bottom it out by pushing on the handlebars

i think they used springs from pens

Quote from: skirecs on February 03, 2011, 08:59:31 AM
.....
i think they used springs from pens

Quote from: skirecs on February 03, 2011, 08:59:31 AM
i think they used springs from pens

Must have used them in my bike too... sucks. I have a set of Sonic Springs .95 on the way...

Yarg! 35mm longer than stock? You're running ~70mm of pre-load? I strongly suggest installing heavier springs instead.

I got new fork seals today, and I had them fill it with heavier oil and shim the springs.  We're talking a few extra washers, not that much extra.

You should absolutely do this.  The bike stops feeling like it's got the GS500's notoriously crap front suspension.  I seriously enjoyed my ride home from the workshop.  I got a new front tyre at the same time and I may or may not have needed to find some empty access roads down around the docks on my way home.  Then again this may have been someone else, but I have a few favourite roundabouts on the waterfront large enough for semis do pull U turns, and they're connected by some curvey roads of varying tightness, with most of the corners continuously radiused.

Once again this may have been someone else, but you should definitely beef up the front end a bit.

Quote from: burning1 on February 08, 2011, 10:14:34 PM
Yarg! 35mm longer than stock? You're running ~70mm of pre-load? I strongly suggest installing heavier springs instead.

Heh... would love to, but getting the specific parts here is mission impossible, and quite the time and money consuming.
I'd love to get hold of some quality springs, but in the end it'd cost me almost as bike itself.
So far, the setup suits me more than fine, so I can't complain.

You can get progressive springs for about $60... if that's what we're talking about...

Shepa is in Croatia, probably can't get them for $60 there.  

I just ordered a set and they charged me $15 shipping just for within the US!

What's the source for progressive springs?  The exchange rate is very much in my favour for buying stuff from the US at the moment and I may still end up rebuilding my forks if this new set of seals don't hold (little bit of pitting on the forkleg, probably needs rechroming).  For the moment I'm happy with the shims and heavier oil, although I have yet to get out of town properly on it.

Alternatives are a GSXR front end swap, a set of aftermarket forks, or trying to find a straight set from the wrecker. 

Best price in the US is from motorcycle accessory warehouse, http://www.mawonline.com

$60 + around $15 shipping in the states.

There are 13 posts in here, and only 3 of which are by people whose post count is more than 63.

Lots on new guys coming in for the summer, eh?