I know that the stock front forks from the factory sucked, however did it really suck this bad from day one?

So I was out in the country, and around a bend was long gash in the road about 3" deep and 3 foot long so I couldn't avoid it....I was rolling about 25-30MPH and it felt like rim hit. So I pulled over checked the week for damage, there was none, tire was at 33psi so all was fine.

I think the forks bottomed out, is it time for fork service already after only 11k and 10 short years?


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Checking seals isn't a bad idea, but the short answer is that the stock fork springs, regardless of age, only serve as placeholders for your preferred upgrade.

This is the case even if you ride slow. The stock springs are simply not good.

Top is Sonic Springs
Bottom is stock with spacer.
Middle might be stock European spring or 2004+ spring - I forget which at the moment - with spacer

He he he ... they are a POS and once you learn how to ride they are a even bigger POS.
Cool.
Buddha.

I haven't leaked any fork oil since i got it....its quite easy to tell since I've only washed it maybe 2 or 3 times =)

I guess Ill have to look into some new springs or a different fork

The same thing has happened to me a couple of times since owning my bike - I've put it down to shocks bottoming out due to leaky seals and no more shock oil.

I'll tell you riding with empty front shocks and misaligned rear wheel on a windy day is no fun.

I did notice that loading up the rear of the bike with luggage really unweighted the front wheel and caused pretty much all the low shock oil problems to go away!

Luckily I dropped it into the workshop this morning for a fork service so I'm anticipating that when I pick it up it will feel like i'm riding a silken dream made of love compared to what I'm used to.

I have never had a problem with them but then I only weigh 68kg. How much are fork upgrades?

A lot of people around here use sonic springs

http://www.sonicsprings.com/catalog/

I think that they have prices on that site

Fork oil helps; the oil breaks down just like engine oil. At 10K miles, your fork oil is probably thin, black, and full of metal.

With that said, even with fresh oil, the stock forks suck. Springs help immensely. Proper valving will help absorb the bumps without softening up damping under breaking. I can still tell a huge difference between my fully upgraded stock front-end and the GSX-R forks I installed.

I've been weighting my options as of right now I think the best thing to do would be to change the oil and and give it a go, worst case I end up wasting a weekend working on the bike....  don't mind that at all, I'll post back and let you guys know how it go's next weekend

I'm always a fan of if its not broke don't fix it, but after looking at the book and all is it worth while to replace the old seals? If I'm only replacing the oil?

It's broke from the factory, as far as I'm concerned.

I wouldn't bother replacing the seals unless they are actually leaking. Replacing the seals is way more involved than changing the oil. I would advise you to pry up the dust seals, clean up, and try to work a little grease under the fork seals.

Replacing the fork springs is pretty trivial. I'd do it while the forks are apart. It makes a huge difference; I would not ride a stock GS if I had any say in the matter.

just picked up my bike after the fork service and wow what an improvement.

I wouldn't say it turns any sharper, just so much lighter to turn the handlebars and a much more stable and smooth ride.

I'll still have to upgrade the springs one day - when the budget allows it

Well the forks are hanging right now to drain, and my god the oil I was thin and black....it was way over due.


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That's way way less oil than I'd expect to see out of a pair of forks. There should have been half a liter of oil in there. Check your seals? You may be due for a full rebuild.

Sorry for the deceiving picture half the oil went into a different drain tub, i didn't measure the amount hat came out but I'm sure it was close to the 380 cc that should be in there. The oil is so thin that I'm surprised that it was doing any thing


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Okay, good. A full rebuild isn't a lot of fun.

New oil is in, seams a million times better, it's raining today so I  only went around the block so it won't be until at least tomorrow I should know for sure


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Well its better but still not great  I'm thinking I'm going to try increasing the oil level to 100mm instead of 110. Any one know what worst case is ? Is it just going to be rock solid or am I going to blow the seals?

Money is tight right now but I'd rather get a new pair of riding paints or some thing else before i end up with new springs.

Did you try heavier oil, or stay with stock 10W? ... I'd suggest at least 15, If not 20 if you still have stock springs.

- Bboy