Front Progressive Upgrade GS300?

[hjacobmiller]

Hi,

Done quite a bit o' reading on doing the front end progressive upgrade. Using their "parts that fit my bike" app, I only see rear suspension upgrades for the 1982 GS300.

Any one know what I should be looking for to see if anything is compatible?

Anyone out there done the progressive front end upgrade?

The drum brake on the front shouldn't pose an issue to swapping the front springs out should it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I know absolutely nothing about suspension.

Thanks!

[RichDesmond]

Best thing to do is pull one of the fork springs out and measure the OD. Then e-mail Progressive and/or Race Tech and see if they have something that will work. Length doesn't really matter, you just cut a different length spacer to get the static preload right.
We don't have a stock item small enough, but if you can't find an off the shelf solution we can make a custom set for you.

[hjacobmiller]

Best thing to do is pull one of the fork springs out and measure the OD. Then e-mail Progressive and/or Race Tech and see if they have something that will work. Length doesn't really matter, you just cut a different length spacer to get the static preload right.
We don't have a stock item small enough, but if you can't find an off the shelf solution we can make a custom set for you.

Nice, thanks! What sort of price range are you talking for a custom set? I'm guessing pretty high...

[loud et]

go to your favorite parts fiche and search the part numbers for other gs's front springs, see if any of them use the same springs as yours , then see if there are progressive springs for those other models ( therefore yours also) on e bay. Its possible.

[RichDesmond]

Nice, thanks! What sort of price range are you talking for a custom set? I'm guessing pretty high...

Not too bad (I think anyway ) Usually $129.95 + shipping. Need the OD and your weight so I can see exactly what's needed to be sure.

[hjacobmiller]

go to your favorite parts fiche and search the part numbers for other gs's front springs, see if any of them use the same springs as yours , then see if there are progressive springs for those other models ( therefore yours also) on e bay. Its possible.

Touchet my friend. I forgot the trusty cross-reference search!

It looks like the GS400 & the GS425 & the GS300 all use part number 51171-11500. Doesnt look like the GS450 used it though.

Does any one have any input on doing the upgrade? Is it worth it? Complicated? Necessary?

Doing a rebuild on a budget, but want quality too. Any input appreciated.

[loud et]

... Isnt there a mod that GS'ers do where you add the short chunk of pvc pipe in the shock tube to "preload or stiffen" the front suspension?
look at post 8 and 9 in this thread:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?p=1653785&highlight=spring+mod#post1653785

I am gonna do this on my 1100E when I find the full tutorial/description. feel free to send it my way if you locate it.

[Guest]

Interestingly enough the Ikon fork springs for the GS400, 425, and 450's from '77 through to '83 are all part #500-096.

http://www.ikonsuspension.com/content/application_lists/fork_springs/suzuki_fork_application.shtml

If the 300 uses the same springs as the 400's and 425's, you should be right to rock and roll

I have a pair of the fork springs in my 450 forks and a pair of the 7610-1282SP10 shocks on the back and I absolutely love 'em!

[RichDesmond]

... Isnt there a mod that GS'ers do where you add the short chunk of pvc pipe in the shock tube to "preload or stiffen" the front suspension?
look at post 8 and 9 in this thread:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?p=1653785&highlight=spring+mod#post1653785

I am gonna do this on my 1100E when I find the full tutorial/description. feel free to send it my way if you locate it.

All adding a spacer does is raise the front end, decreasing sag. If you have too much sag that's a good thing, but past that point it's harmful. The spring rate is unchanged.

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

[hjacobmiller]

Does anyone know if I need to have the forks completely apart (bottom bolts removed, all innerds splayed on the bench, etc.) to put progressives in?

I'm having some trouble removing the bottle allen bolts, and that is the only reason I ask.

Ideally I'd like to take everything apart to clean, swap out the seals, inspect, but I don't have access to an impact wrench to get the bottom bolts out. My powder coating is going to eat up most of my budget for the time being

[cowboyup3371]

You can leave everything together and use an electric drill with a socket adapter (find at Sears for about $5) to remove that bottom bolt. That's how I have to do mine.

[RichDesmond]

Does anyone know if I need to have the forks completely apart (bottom bolts removed, all innerds splayed on the bench, etc.) to put progressives in?

I'm having some trouble removing the bottle allen bolts, and that is the only reason I ask.

Ideally I'd like to take everything apart to clean, swap out the seals, inspect, but I don't have access to an impact wrench to get the bottom bolts out. My powder coating is going to eat up most of my budget for the time being

It's preferred to do it that way, especially on an older bike, but by no means necessary. Do take the tubes off the bike so you can drain the old oil out completely, and use some ATF to flush them out.

[hjacobmiller]

It's preferred to do it that way, especially on an older bike, but by no means necessary. Do take the tubes off the bike so you can drain the old oil out completely, and use some ATF to flush them out.

So the PVC spacer just goes in before the spring, but both into the same shaft?

My model doesn't have a way to hold the bolt on the other side, otherwise I'd just try to crank down on it.

[cowboyup3371]

Neither does mine except to keep the forks together and remove that bolt first using the drill like i mentioned above.

[hjacobmiller]

Neither does mine except to keep the forks together and remove that bolt first using the drill like i mentioned above.

Sorry, I didn't see it. Will try this out!