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1982 GS450 Fork Lowering

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    1982 GS450 Fork Lowering

    Recently started rebuilding my 82' GS450 and I would like to lower the front forks 2"-3". Looking on Progressive Suspension and a few other sites it appears that there is not a lowering kit specifically for the 450.

    Can anyone help me out and point me in the direction of a good write up or kit that is out there?

    Thank you!

    #2
    3" is a lot to lower it. You will only have maybe 5-6" of suspension travel up front and you are looking to eliminate close to half of it. You will need new springs that are significantly stiffer in order to avoid bottoming the forks over regular road bumps and will have clearance issues with speed bumps and the like. Also realize that you will need to lower the rear by a similar amount or you will end up with super twitchy handling and serious instability issues.

    To physically reduce the fork travel is pretty simple, you just need the appropriate length spacer installed under the top out spring to prevent full extension of the fork. I have never seen a lowering kit for these old bikes, but then I haven't looked either. If you haven't yet got a service manual, go to Basscliff's site and download the one for your bike:




    If you are unfamiliar with the forks and the top out spring, look at this parts fiche: http://www.partzilla.com/parts/searc...%29/parts.html

    The top out spring is #18.


    Mark
    Last edited by mmattockx; 12-17-2016, 01:20 PM.
    1982 GS1100E
    1998 ZX-6R
    2005 KTM 450EXC

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      #3
      Are you planning to lower the rear an equal amount? If not you might find it pitches you off when you enter a fast corner the first time. Lower will mean quicker steering, but more instability IIRC.
      sigpic
      09 Kaw C14 Rocket powered Barcalounger
      1983 GS1100e
      82\83 1100e Frankenbike
      1980 GS1260
      Previous 65 Suzuki 80 Scrambler, 76 KZ900, 02 GSF1200S, 81 GS1100e, 80 GS850G

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        #4
        Thank you for the feedback and guidance to the resources.

        I will likely be adding the Progressive 412's to the rear in 11.5" length, which would be 2" off from where the rear shocks currently sit. So yes, if I lower the forks 2" and add the 412's I would retain the current geometry.

        From what I have seen so far, you increase the length of the fork spacer to reduce the overall height? This seems backwards to me.

        Any writeups/ pictures showing how to make or install the spacer?

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by HeavyHitters View Post
          From what I have seen so far, you increase the length of the fork spacer to reduce the overall height? This seems backwards to me.

          Any writeups/ pictures showing how to make or install the spacer?
          I am not talking about the preload spacer that sits on top of the fork springs. The spacer I am talking about goes in the space where the upper and lower fork tubes overlap and it prevents the fork from extending fully. I don't have time at the moment, but can make a quick sketch to explain it tonight and post it here. I would make the spacer out of aluminium myself. It should probably be a machined piece for precision and accurate square cut ends.


          Mark
          1982 GS1100E
          1998 ZX-6R
          2005 KTM 450EXC

          Comment


            #6
            This.....

            Current:
            Z1300A5 Locomotive (swapped my Intruder for it), GS450 Cafe Project (might never finish it....), XT500 Commuter (I know - it's a Yamaha )

            Past:
            VL1500 Intruder (swapped for Z1300), ZX9R Streetfighter (lets face it - too fast....), 1984 GSX750EF, 1984 GSX1100EF (AKA GS1150)
            And a bunch of other crap Yamahas....

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              #7
              Why are you lowering it? Are you 4'8"? Or do you just get a kick out of decreasing the performance of your bikes? Serious questions.

              Comment


                #8
                Yep, lowering it that much will severely limit your cornering ability.

                I can tell you that from first-hand experience. We just lowered my wife's 850L about half that much. Hagon shocks one inch shorter than stock, Progressive fork springs with stock spacer, but fork tubes slid up almost two inches above the top clamp. Had to shorten the centerstand and sidestand, too, but she fits on the bike much better. I have taken the bike out for some modest rides, there have been no problems with cornering, but I wasn't riding it much harder than she normally does.

                .
                sigpic
                mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
                hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
                #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
                #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
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                Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
                (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

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                  #9
                  If it is stability with shorter legs you could also get closer to the ground with altering the seat foam.
                  Plenty of threads on the subject.
                  2@ \'78 GS1000

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