This bugger -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DNA-BLACK-SPRINGER-FRONT-END-SHOCK-DAMPENER-KIT-/140658829224?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20bfeb67a8&vxp=mtr

I think it could be one awesome shock for a GS ...
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: Jeff P on March 13, 2012, 01:03:11 PM
Ok "idiotic" was probably too strong, what I'm saying is that I've never thought it made sense to economize on a safety critical item for your motorcycle by substitution.  Sure, ATF might work, but I'm not a tribologist so I'll go with the sure thing. 

I ended up using a PVC end cap (I think it was 3/4 or 1") as a spacer with my Progressive springs - perfect size and no cutting required (though perhaps that was economizing  )

jeff

I think Adidas will include the spacers from the forks as well, though I could be mistaken. You're right, if it's safety related I'm not gonna cheap out (I'd never buy used tires for this reason). I just don't see the reason to spend money on something if I don't have to, and it sounds like I don't have to.

Though, now I wonder if it's okay to mix ATF with regular fork oil and at this point I guess I'd be removing it all together since there's no reason not to.

Either way, I need to know what the "correct" oil level is. Though I guess maybe it'd be in my shop manual...though, that's with the stock springs. The new springs are bigger which will change the level somewhat. *headdesk*

@FunderB: Yes, but $80 shipped is still 4x what I'm paying for the springs from Adidas...even if they were $50, that's still more than double, and I wouldn't be supporting Adidas.

Buddha...LOL

I wouldn't ride that...that seems very unsafe. It could work, sure, but what if the the stem cracked after drilling holes in it? EEK!

But I would be interested in seeing it done...just for the hell of it. It's a great idea...not on my bike though!

I mailed a pair of the newer ones yesterday to NoSecret, with spacers. The newer ones are better than the old ones so for a couple dollars it is a good temporary upgrade.

Odd - somehow I'm missing one "new" spring. Took 4 apart and only have 3 springs. One must have been put into a rebuilt older fork - so now I gotta go check all the forks on the shelf and see what they have.
One set of newer forks - to my surprise - had progressives! Unfortunately they were not the right diameter - slightly smaller. I don't think that would matter as its like less than 3/8" smaller diameter.

FYI: Around here we use 15w fork oil in all our forks.

Quote from: adidasguy on March 13, 2012, 02:12:24 PM
I mailed a pair of the newer ones yesterday to NoSecret, with spacers. The newer ones are better than the old ones so for a couple dollars it is a good temporary upgrade.

Odd - somehow I'm missing one "new" spring. Took 4 apart and only have 3 springs. One must have been put into a rebuilt older fork - so now I gotta go check all the forks on the shelf and see what they have.
One set of newer forks - to my surprise - had progressives! Unfortunately they were not the right diameter - slightly smaller. I don't think that would matter as its like less than 3/8" smaller diameter.

FYI: Around here we use 15w fork oil in all our forks.

Oh. Well crud....

When I saw baltimores video and he used ATF I was a bit how can I say sceptical, but thinking of it if your in a pinch an needed 10w oil. ATM I'm running .80 sonics or .85, 15w fork oil at 110mm. After a bit of searching through the forum lotta guys seem to be running between stock level and 115mm. When you get new springs if there GS ones upgrade your oil to 15w for a stiffer feel.

Quote from: Kijona on March 13, 2012, 02:23:28 PM
Oh. Well crud....

I'll find it. Its in one of the forks and I'm sure I put it in a special place so I'd remember which one it was and now I forgot. I'll find it. There is that set of slightly smaller diameter progressives......

Quote from: adidasguy on March 13, 2012, 03:04:48 PM

Quote from: Kijona on March 13, 2012, 02:23:28 PM
Oh. Well crud....

I'll find it. Its in one of the forks and I'm sure I put it in a special place so I'd remember which one it was and now I forgot. I'll find it. There is that set of slightly smaller diameter progressives......

I wouldn't mind having the progressives if I knew for sure they'd work! Also, wouldn't the diameter affect how stiff the springs are? Less diameter = shorter length of metal used to make it.

Since the problem with the OEM springs seems to be that they are too light, why doesn't someone put in a PVC spacer to preload them more ?

I have opened up some with a 2" aluminum spacer for more pre-load. While that will help, eventually you'll have so much preload you can't screw the cap on and it will limit the amount of travel.
Old springs: I think too weak to try that. The newer ones: an extra inch or two I think would do wonders.

Quote from: SAFE-T on March 13, 2012, 05:16:09 PM
Since the problem with the OEM springs seems to be that they are too light, why doesn't someone put in a PVC spacer to preload them more ?

Preload helps a little, but it won't completely solve the spring-rate problem if the springs are only slightly too soft. The spacers really just move forks up their travel range a little. It will take more force to bottom the bike out, since the springs can compress a little further, but it doesn't really solve the problem of the springs being too soft to begin with. It'll also tend to make your suspension top out, which can also be bad.

Quote from: Kijona on March 13, 2012, 01:22:06 PM
Buddha...LOL

I wouldn't ride that...that seems very unsafe. It could work, sure, but what if the the stem cracked after drilling holes in it? EEK!

But I would be interested in seeing it done...just for the hell of it. It's a great idea...not on my bike though!

You dont drill the stem. The stem is infact hollow. I'd take the shock mount off a newer sport bike - like the zx7 series 2000 and later that has an unboltable top clevice and drill and tap the stem part. Then you would insert it in the bottom of the stem and put in a 5-6" long bolt from the top replacing the chrome bolt that is there, which effectively just holds the top part of the triple onto the stem.
Option 2 is to fabricate that whole setup in which case I'd make it long enough to go through the top of the stem and have threads on the outside of it, so you just use a large washer and a nut to work the same way the chrome bolt does now.
Either way, you should end up with about the same result.
Something like this - Remember this is on a savage and I didn't do this on it, I just put a raked out FE on it ... so its just a example.

https://picasaweb.google.com/srinath.the.man/SavageChopperBuild?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ-TlundyLiSngE#5376865753197371010

Cool.
Buddha. 

I know adding a spacer is a fairly limited solution just never seen it mentioned much so wondered why. Thanks.