Front Wheel Shock Absorbers

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  • ryanrod
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    Front Wheel Shock Absorbers

    You know like the kind that come stock on Scramblers? I think my bike is a little too bare and beat up, so I think some front wheel shock aboserbers is just what it needs for some cosmetic appeal. Is anyone using/used front wheel shock absorbers? What was your experience? Did they give you a different ride? Better turn ratio? I'm hoping they serve more of a purpose than looking cool for a street bike.

    I'm riding a 1982 GS 650, and it's pretty damn naked with sawed off pipes and clubman handle bars, because that's how I roll
  • GS1150Pilot
    Forum LongTimer
    Past Site Supporter
    • Nov 2013
    • 18912
    • MoN, AZ

    #2
    Say wha?
    "Thought he, it is a wicked world in all meridians; I'll die a pagan."
    ~Herman Melville

    2016 1200 Superlow
    1982 CB900f

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    • GSX1000E

      #3
      Fork gaiters.

      Comment

      • Steve
        GS Whisperer
        • Jun 2005
        • 35924
        • southwest oHIo

        #4
        Earle's forks?



        .
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        • ryanrod

          #5
          Originally posted by GSX1000E
          Fork gaiters.
          Right, the fork gaiters. These things don't do anything practical right?

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          • hillsy
            Forum Sage
            • May 2008
            • 1469
            • Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

            #6
            They keep crap off your fork sliders.

            But they can also trap water in there, so it's not always a benefit.
            Current:
            Z1300A5 Locomotive (swapped my Intruder for it), GS450 Cafe Project (might never finish it....), XT500 Commuter (I know - it's a Yamaha :eek:)

            Past:
            VL1500 Intruder (swapped for Z1300), ZX9R Streetfighter (lets face it - too fast....), 1984 GSX750EF, 1984 GSX1100EF (AKA GS1150)
            And a bunch of other crap Yamahas....

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            • ryanrod

              #7
              Those would be far too practical, not to mention expensive. Put hot damn, would I like to have those puppies on my bike instead of stockers.

              Originally posted by Steve
              Earle's forks?



              .

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              • GS1150Pilot
                Forum LongTimer
                Past Site Supporter
                • Nov 2013
                • 18912
                • MoN, AZ

                #8
                So you are looking for form over function.
                "Thought he, it is a wicked world in all meridians; I'll die a pagan."
                ~Herman Melville

                2016 1200 Superlow
                1982 CB900f

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                • steve murdoch
                  Forum Guru
                  Past Site Supporter
                  • May 2004
                  • 8491
                  • St. Catharines, On.

                  #9
                  Have a look around this website, they carry a lot of different sized gaiters.
                  Speed Moto Co All Motorcycles Parts shop for Cafe Racers , Mikuni Carburetors, Motorcycle Headlights, Bobber & Chopper , Vintage, Modern Motorcycles.
                  2@ \'78 GS1000

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                  • Guest

                    #10
                    Originally posted by ryanrod
                    Those would be far too practical, not to mention expensive. Put hot damn, would I like to have those puppies on my bike instead of stockers.
                    Done properly they are a significant improvement over conventional telescoping forks, too. I have a set of leading link forks mostly drawn up for a project bike but have no time or money to worry about it right now. They use a linkage system and a single monoshock damper unit from a current sport bike.


                    Mark
                    Last edited by Guest; 11-18-2014, 12:49 PM.

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                    • astradaryl

                      #11
                      image.jpgI've got gators on my gs I like the look

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                      • Grimly
                        Forum Guru
                        Past Site Supporter
                        Super Site Supporter
                        • Sep 2012
                        • 5762
                        • Ireland

                        #12
                        Originally posted by mmattockx
                        Done properly they are a significant improvement over conventional telescoping forks, too. I have a set of leading link forks mostly drawn up for a project bike but have no time or money to worry about it right now. They use a linkage system and a single monoshock damper unit from a current sport bike.
                        Mark


                        Ditto that. I was looking seriously at crafting a set for mine. Nothing much to them in principle, just getting them right, is all.
                        Otoh, when I see some of what passes for diy leading-link forks I reckon I could knock something out that a) wouldn't collapse, or b) spit me off the road.
                        Dave
                        '79 GS850GN '80 GS850GT
                        Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

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                        • Guest

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Grimly
                          Ditto that. I was looking seriously at crafting a set for mine. Nothing much to them in principle, just getting them right, is all.
                          Otoh, when I see some of what passes for diy leading-link forks I reckon I could knock something out that a) wouldn't collapse, or b) spit me off the road.
                          They are definitely not rocket science, just a bit of minding the geometry to get the anti-dive correct and make sure nothing binds through the travel. A lot of what passes for custom fabrication is complete garbage so I have no doubt you (or any other interested/concerned hobbyist with some mechanical apptitude) could do a better job.


                          Mark

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