85 GS550EF Front Fork Air Pressure & Choke Question

[phaeton]

So I'm riding on my GS550EF, and it turns out that the front forks are SOFT...

I mean braking over a curb onto a driveway sometimes bottomed them out with a thud...

So I check the pressure its at 2PSI. I loooked in my Clymer manual and it says to fill to 25PSI, then bleed off to 4PSI.

I filled to like 15PSI (didn't think it would make a difference) and got both forks to 4PSI and it was STILL damn soft.

I then pumped it up to and its at 13PSI, but its STILL a bit soft. The fork seals were done last season, no leaks at all, I'm thinking the manual was off. Does anyone know the proper pressure for a firm ride?

Also, I have that "anti-dive" thingy attached to my brakes but I don't think it does anything whatsoever. Do these work or are they just a gimmick? My bike still dives alot when I brake, and I'd like to get rid of that...

Also, I have the little choke paddle under the left hand grip but when I push it in, it slides back almost all the way to the regular position. Does anyone know how I can "firm" it up a bit?

[KennyJ]

I have the same bike, have had of 19+ years....

The forks are soft, I actually like them but mine don't bottom that easy. I would say get a set of progressive springs for them and you should be much happier. What weight fork oil are you running? Try 15w if they react too quickly for your taste. I run -0- air, air always seems to blow out the seals.

On mine, the anti-dives don't attach to the brakes like the early ones. I have them set at 4 and leave them there, though I don't think they help or hurt anything.

As for the choke lever, I think there is a screw you can tighten a bit for more resistance. Mine has never moved or changed.

Wish I had better data for you!

Do you have the Blue/White version, or the rarer Red/White?

Kenny

[phaeton]

Not sure, I've done some work to it, and I bought it with all the parts primed for painting.

It has white rims (stock), maybe that helps? Now its all jet black with the white rims

I don't know what weight oil there is in there, the fork seals were redone probably a year ago.

I think I'll ride it out for this summer, then come winter time I'll tear apart the front end, put in different springs, fix up the brakes, see how that goes.

I really love this bike, the engine was completely rebuilt for racing so its got some sweet power, it has a 4->1 exhaust but I'm pretty sure its not stock, although there are no visible markings on it.

I wish stainless braided lines were less expensive, thats the most important upgrade I would like to do on this bike but I don't have the 200$ to shell out on it.

[KennyJ]

For such small brakes, they work great! You can do stoppies with the stock setup if you are so inclined. I think the 86's had white wheels, all 85's had gold with polished highlights. 86's were red and black, but they were all ES's not E's.

Glad you like the bike...I do!

Kenny