I just bought a new GS...the owner's bf did most of the work, and she can't remember if he upgraded the springs or not...any easier ways to tell than pulling them completely out?

Quote from: scootr9718I just bought a new GS...the owner's bf did most of the work, and she can't remember if he upgraded the springs or not...any easier ways to tell than pulling them completely out?

If you wiegh over 150 lbs - hit the front brake fairly hard - if you hear a clank as the forks bottom then the springs are stock - or you have leaked out all the damping fluid.

Quotewell you wouldnt have to pull them totally out..put the bike ona centerstand..prop something under the frame so front wheel is off the ground..then just take a half inch drive ratchet..take off one of the fork caps..the spacer will be right there..if they are progressives itll be about 3/4 inch..if stock alot longer..like 10 inches or so

i 2nd mjm

just roll it forward and hit the front brake to get the forks to collapse... if you hear a metallic clang, they're probably stock

you'd have to open up to be certain though...

You don't have to take it completely apart.  Just pull one of the fork caps off (might be possible without removing the bars, but probably not).  If the next thing you pull out of the fork is an 8" metal tube (the stock spacer) you have the stock springs.  If the spacer is short, like 0.75", you have upgraded springs.  The new spacer might also be made of some sort of unusual material (PVC pipe, a chunk of polycarbonate rod, etc.)  It might also be a little piece of the original.

Oh, make sure you support the front of the bike before pulling the cap off.  You don't want any weight on the spring...