fork caps

[Guest]

I'm trying to remove my air valves off the top of my 850, so I can lower front a little more. I have fairly new progressive springs so don't use air. Anyone know of any non air caps from some other model would fit, or anything else that would work? Did a search but couldn't find anything. terrylee

[rudeman]

You can just vent your caps and leave them as-is and accomplish the same result as using conventional fork caps. Make certain that you have the front wheel off the ground at full extension.

[mmattockx]

I'm trying to remove my air valves off the top of my 850, so I can lower front a little more.

How is removing the air valves going to lower the front end?


Mark

[Agemax]

How is removing the air valves going to lower the front end?


Mark

removing the valve from the top allows you to slide the forks up further in the trees by 1/2" or so. Thus lowering the front end

[rudeman]

How is removing the air valves going to lower the front end?


Mark

It won't lower the front end. I didn't see that in the post. I just thought he didn't want to use air assist.

[mmattockx]

removing the valve from the top allows you to slide the forks up further in the trees by 1/2" or so. Thus lowering the front end

Ah, ok. It is an external clearance issue, not an internal one.


Mark

[terrylee]

Not sure what you mean by just venting, I have to have cap to screw in to hold springs. The air valve is part of the cap so can't just remove that. What they said, just trying to get forks up in triple tree a little more so then I should be flat footed. Already shaved seat, shorter shocks, went down one inch with rear wheel size and raised forks as much as I could in triple tree. terrylee

[Agemax]

drill out the air valve, rethread it and screw a bolt in there. use loctite sealer and a countersunk head bolt so its flush with the top.

[bwringer]

The 1983 GS850G and 1983 1100G used air passages lower down on the forks, so they had solid fork caps. You could try and scare up a pair of those. The GL models and earlier models used valves on the forks.

http://www.partsoutlaw.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d401e7f8700230d8b4e5e8/front-fork-model-d

Listed as NLA, unfortunately.

Here's a photo I had lying around -- this is from the days before straight-rate springs, so I had to run monster preload with Progressive springs to get sag in the ballpark.



I've never managed to determine firsthand whether the preload adjuster caps from an '83 1100E would fit an 850's forks...

http://www.partsoutlaw.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d40416f8700230d8b4ec7d/front-damper-gs1100ed

[terrylee]

Thanks Brian, will post in wanted section and check ebay. terrylee

[mrbill5491]

Take the air valves out and get a pair of metric hex head lock screws. Apply some sealant on the threads and set them flush with the top of the hole.

[bwringer]

I believe the problem is not sealing the holes from the air valves; the problem is that the caps themselves stick up quite a bit (each air valve is threaded into a sort of "hump" in the cap).

The OP is trying to lower a bike a bit by pulling the forks up in the clamps, and the caps hit the handlebar before they move very far.


Since the '83 fork caps are going to be so rare, you might also consider installing a set of handlebar risers or setbacks to move the handlebar out of the way. This might also make the handlebars a bit closer and more comfortable as well, depending on the personal geometry of the rider.

Maybe something like this?


Or this?

[RichDesmond]

I believe the problem is not sealing the holes from the air valves; the problem is that the caps themselves stick up quite a bit (each air valve is threaded into a sort of "hump" in the cap).

The OP is trying to lower a bike a bit by pulling the forks up in the clamps, and the caps hit the handlebar before they move very far.


Since the '83 fork caps are going to be so rare, you might also consider installing a set of handlebar risers or setbacks to move the handlebar out of the way. This might also make the handlebars a bit closer and more comfortable as well, depending on the personal geometry of the rider.

Maybe something like this?


Or this?

Good thinking, and the OP can use a flatter bar to get back to the original riding position if so desired.

[terrylee]

Thanks again Brian thought about something like that, will check into them since looks like no one has flat top caps. Your right about what I'm trying to achieve. terrylee

[Spit]

Not sure but the uk model caps might suit you http://www.cmsnl.com/suzuki-gs850-19.../#.VBMTbHVdUWM

These are the only ones I could find online.