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GS-850 Heavier Fork Springs?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Furious D
  • Start date Start date
F

Furious D

Guest
I have been some doing some tuning on my GS-850 with a sidecar this weekend and was wondering if there is a way to upgrade the front forks to handle to increased load of the sidecar ?


It already has Progressive springs in it. Would the springs off a larger bike like a GS-1000 help? I have read thru the fork upgrade threads and plan to add some spacers to increase pre-load when I install new fork seals.

Right now I only have about 2 3/4" travel between the fork wipers and the bottom of the fork mounts. I am guessing that the bike would have had at least 4" when it left the factory.
 
Take out the springs out and cut off about 3" of coils, then make new longer spacers out of PVC pipe. By shortening the springs the spring rate increases. If you need stiffer still, take off another inch. At some point the springs will start to coil bind but I think you have more than enough length to remove 6" or so. Oh, and take off the tighter spaced coils since these are the soft ones and make your cut on an angle like shown in the last photo.

Springs001.jpg


Springs002.jpg


Springs004.jpg
 
Last edited:
bwringer said:
Errrr... seen this?
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=166214


Progressive springs are far too weak to do the job. I'd install some 1.1 Sonic springs and see where that gets you. You may still need to increase the spring rate by cutting off a bit, but you'll be a lot closer.
Click to expand...


Great review, If I'm not happy with the forks after I do the spacer mod I will go with the Sonics. I had thought about the Racetechs but I am really just looking for heavier springs. I doubt I will be taking the sidecar thru the twisties at 55 MPH , just looking to correct the sag caused by the extra weight.

Thanks for your help
 
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