Am I being a bit thick!!

[Guest]

I have a 1981 Suzuki GS650GT (UK spec shaft drive), I have owned the bike for just under a year, the rear shocks are not leaking and the fork seals were done by the PO to get her through the MOT 2 years ago, so how do you know when to change the suspension?

Prior to this bike I had not ridden a road bike for 20years besides a couple of 125's and 'trials' type bikes.

So am I looking to replace all the suspension on it? if so I need fork springs and oil as well as a pair of rear shocks.
I weigh about 12.5stone and never carry a pillion, I do not carry luggage (unless my packed lunch and waterproofs in a topbox count as luggage). I do like to ‘make progress’ on my bike, but she is no R1 and I am no Rossi but I also like to go out for a Sunday ride down to the coast at a leisurely pace. She is 33 years old and I like her for what she is, a smooth comfortable ride.
I am happy to answer any questions regarding setup as I want to make sure I get it right. I am also going to replace all the brake lines as well while I have her in bits, again. As I said she is 33years old and not worth a great amount so Ohlins are out, but I also do not want to buy crap!! I was thinking YSS or Hagon.

I have read some threads re Hagon, some people love them some hate them. The same goes for YSS.

Regards.

Andrew

[terrylee]

A lot on here use progressive springs and shocks, I have both on my 850 and very comfortable and not real expensive. Some use Sonic springs. terrylee

[tkent02]

How does your bike ride? Some folks are content with the stock suspension, most are not. The 650G suspension was a lot better than some of them.

Hagon makes some shocks now with adjustable damping, there are other good shocks. Ikon, Progressive, Ohlins, a few others. Generally you get what you pay for. Get some proper rate springs and cartridge emulators for the forks.

[GSXR7ED]

New Rear Progressive Shocks & Replaced Fork Oil

It helps if you provide pics. I replaced my aged rear shocks with Progressives and a buddy of mine (MrBill) replaced the front fork oil. One side had all the air pressure and exploded when he opened the bottom bolt and the other was full of air. He used 10W oil and I can feel a HUGE difference. He inspected the springs and they were GTG (Good To Go).

Here's an old pic of the old rear shocks and one with my new shocks and 4-1 pipe.





I spent US$275 on the rear shocks and US$317 on the pipes. Crikey! That's more than what I paid for my bike (US$475).

It depends if you have some dosh available for your upgrade.


Ed

[Charlie G]

I recommend either progressive springs or cartridge emulators up front and some new rear shocks. I did the emulators up front and they are nice, but unless I crank up the rears springs on the stock shocks to max, it's like a bucking horse with my 150 lb build, coming out of a hard turn. For what it's worth I run Avon AM 26 tires.

cg

[tkent02]

Sounds like your spring rates and damping are not anywhere near correct.

Which rear shocks did you get?

[UK-GT]

Sounds like your spring rates and damping are not anywhere near correct.

Which rear shocks did you get?

I have not replaced them yet, I think they are still the original ones, so they are 33years old and bit like me showing their age!!

I will probably go with the YSS rear shocks and not sure about the fork springs yet, probably Hagon but I am trying to find out if YSS do springs.

[mrbill5491]

It helps if you provide pics. I replaced my aged rear shocks with Progressives and a buddy of mine (MrBill) replaced the front fork oil. One side had all the air pressure and exploded when he opened the bottom bolt and the other was full of air. He used 10W oil and I can feel a HUGE difference. He inspected the springs and they were GTG (Good To Go).

Here's an old pic of the old rear shocks and one with my new shocks and 4-1 pipe.





I spent US$275 on the rear shocks and US$317 on the pipes. Crikey! That's more than what I paid for my bike (US$475).

It depends if you have some dosh available for your upgrade.


Ed

Correction: I used 30 wt fork oil.

[tom203]

I recommend either progressive springs or cartridge emulators up front and some new rear shocks. I did the emulators up front and they are nice, but unless I crank up the rears springs on the stock shocks to max, it's like a bucking horse with my 150 lb build, coming out of a hard turn. For what it's worth I run Avon AM 26 tires.

cg

There's something wrong. My 650L rear shocks behave nicely- I'm 170 lbs and ride lots of dirt roads when I'm not dodging frost heeves. I can't make out the brand but I doubt they are stock from looking at many pics. My front suspension is more of a problem.

[GSXR7ED]

30W Oil

Correction: I used 30 wt fork oil.

Thanks Bill!


Ed

[Charlie G]

There's something wrong.

You own an L , right? ......................................Not apples for apples.

Do you have cartridge emulators in the front forks, 2 turns out with 15 w oil?

Do you drive like I do on mountain roads?

For the record I probably should change the oil up front to 10 w and try 1 1/2 turns on the emulators, but I'm waiting to buy better rear shocks.

cg

[tkent02]

You own an L , right? ......................................Not apples for apples.

NO Ls here. Only keep an L long enough to sell some parts.

Do you have cartridge emulators in the front forks, 2 turns out with 15 w oil?

30wt. oil for starters, just like RaceTech recommends, thicker oil than standard for the forks because it works differently. Can't remember the number of turns, have done a few of these. It's a tuning thing, keep changing it until you get it right. Sold the bikes so I can't check.

Do you drive like I do on mountain roads?

Pretty much only mountain roads, so yes, some highways, some dirt roads, but most all in or around mountains.

For the record I probably should change the oil up front to 10 w and try 1 1/2 turns on the emulators, but I'm waiting to buy better rear shocks.

cg

I have put emulators on several old bikes with damper rod forks, it has been a DRASTIC improvement on each and every one. It does take a little tuning, which includes getting the correct weight fork oil to set the compression damping, then adjusting the rebound with the screws. I wouldn't do anything until the rear shocks are in place, adjusted right, and the proper rate spring is in the forks.

Look on Racetech's site for tuning instructions.

[Rob S.]

You own an L , right?

You going to let him talk to you like that?

[tkent02]

Anyone can make a mistake.

[Charlie G]

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-19.html#products

These are the emulators I used. I used stock springs, cut per instructions. They really work fine. You just have to crank the stock spring to full tension. I plan on getting some Hagons or Progressive rears once I get my GS 1100 g on the road.

I give up.

cg