New forks or new springs

[Anonymous]

The forks on my GS1100E need a tune up. Should I get some Progressive springs or go for a GSXR swap?

If it's going to be the fork swap then which models will work and what's involved in making them fit?

[Anonymous]

That's a loaded question. It depends on what you want and how much time/cash you have to spend.

If you want the best possible fork performance, then a set of GSXR forks (newer ones with the cartridge damping) will be the choice. Take them to Traxxion Dynamics or similar suspension tuner and get them resprung/revalved and you won't believe how good they are. This costs money and time to do the swap, of course. If the cash is no problem and you have the required fabrication skills (or know someone who does), then this will give you the ultimate front end performance.

If you simply want to rejuvenate a tired set of forks, then get the springs, put new fluid in and a new set of seals maybe and be happy with that. It will still be better than it was new. The only additional thing to do to the stock forks is to add a set of Race Tech cartridge emulators. They make a serious difference and make the stock forks work about as well as they can. Not as good as the GSXR ones, mind you, but still WAY better than stock.

No comments on what fits what, someone else will have a better idea on that than I do.

Mark

[Billy Ricks]

All the GSXR forks with tapered bearings on the steering stem should work. Some guys are using newer ones with what look to be ball bearings. They have a tapered bearing steering stem pressed into the newer triple. It's best to go with '89 and up 750 units. I don't remember exactly what year they went inverted, maybe '91. Up to '93 for sure have tapered bearings. Beyond that you would have to check bikebandit. I'm seriously thinking about having Lindeman or somebody go through mine.

[Clone]

If you don't have air forks and want a super cheap boost, drill out the caps at 10mm and shove in air nipples. Instant springier forks.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips so far. The cost of new springs, a fork brace(?), oil, seals, etc., is pretty close to the cost of forks on ebay. If I go with forks then I'm probably looking at wheels and calipers too?

Cash is an issue. I like to make things work through intelligent decisions rather than throwing money around. This is partly due to the fact that we just bought a garage with an attached house (my better half thinks it's the other way round ).

If I went with fork springs is there a preference between Progressive and Race Tech? Race Tech offers different spring rates and also has a cartridge emulator.

[KGB]

Personally I'm going with Progressive.
I have a 1980 GS1000S model.
I installed Progressive shocks on the rear with the heavy springs 170/210
My wife couldn't believe the difference.
The first ride we did was 330 miles, no back pain!


I'm doing the front this winter, yes we get winter up here.
I'm doing the springs and seals. I have a fork brace and steering damper already installed. I'm not looking for race handling, just to keep the wheels on the road.

A couple of people on the site have done the GSXR swap, Billy Ricks comes to mind. If money is an issue, do the springs and maybe next year do the swap.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips so far. The cost of new springs, a fork brace(?), oil, seals, etc., is pretty close to the cost of forks on ebay. If I go with forks then I'm probably looking at wheels and calipers too?


Don't forget that if you put forks on, you should really do the springs, oil, etc., plus a revalve to suit the new springs (more money). The GSXR forks aren't really meant for your GS, so they need to be fine tuned to suit the bike+rider weight. If I was doing a fork swap, I wouldn't stick with the stock wheels, I would go for a set of 3.5F/4.5R 17" rims to get access to current tire technology at the same time. The stock GS calipers may just bolt straight onto the GSXR forks - Suzuki have been pretty good about keeping hole spacings the same through much of their line, but no guarantees. I have a set of 99 GSXR600 forks in my basement that I could measure the spacing from if you need to know it.

For springs, the differences will be that the Race Tech ones are straight rate and the Progressives will be progressive rate. Racers like the straight rate ones because they are easier to tune, but the Progressives work well if you regularly ride two up or carry luggage for trips. I doubt that RT will have a spring that fits your forks, most of theirs will not fit inside anything smaller than a 41mm tube. Check to be sure. Be aware that Progressive really don't make a custom spring for the GS, they just have a series of generic springs that fit into old forks. So the rate may not be correct for your situation. If you can get the RT springs, they will recommend a certain rate based on your combined bike/rider weight and use. If I had a choice, I would go with the RT springs, but I bet that won't be an option.

The cartridge emulators can be used with any fork springs, no problems. From the sound of your reply, I think you should go with new progressive springs and emulators if you can afford the extra $150, along with a brace. That would give you a front end that is WAY better than the stock one for the least amount of $$$. It is definitely the most cost effective way to go.

HTH,
Mark

[Anonymous]

Looks like the Progressive springs then. I'd love to do something radical, like GSX forks or cartridge emulators, but more time spent wrenching means less time riding. I figure I can get the forks done in about three hours if I do braided brake lines at the same time. Save some cash too.

That's the darn problem with GS'es. They have so much potential that it's hard to stop messing with them. They're great to ride but still tolerant of all kinds of hop-up tricks.

[Anonymous]

You can take a look at my bike after GSXR front and rear wheel instalation www25.brinkster.com/junakm10/adam/suzuki/suzuki.html .
I didn`t go with a cartridge fork, but conventional 87 front end with GSXR brakes and wheels. The best possibility is to use 88 / 89 1100 front fork with proper brakes and wheels. Cartridge fork and easy bolt on operation to older GS. You get better suspension, brakes and tires.
Even with my `old school` fork the difference in riding a bike is like night and day.

Adam M.