• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Looking to upgrade to better forks on my 82' GS450T

G

grcamna2

Forum Mentor
I have a pair of GS850 shocks on the back now which ride good and would like to install a pair of better forks.The stock forks and front brake are kind of light duty.What do you folks recommend? I don't have much $, SS being my only small income and would like to know if anybody here has something I could purchase from you once I decide what will work. Bill
 
Last edited:
I put progressive springs in the the forks on my GS450. It really stiffened up the front and significantly improved the handling. Mine were ~$85 from a member here (they were new, though).

That would definitely be the most effective, hassle free and cost efficient upgrade.
 
Fork brace will stiffen up the front end and minimize brake torque

Twinpot caliper for the brake
 
I've been looking into swapping mine too and it seems there's no clear cut easy answers. Have not come across any direct bolt on upgraded calipers or lower legs, it seems that new progressive springs is about all that can be done but I just might try putting some spacers in mine to stiffen the pre-load as it won't cost much to try it. As for less than clear cut I've come across the All Balls Racing steering bearing swap chart which does hold some promise. You can order up the bearings that will match the steering stem to the neck but as to stem length you're still on your own. It does appear that many Suzuki models use the same bearings which does hold some promise. https://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/forkconversion
 
LAB3 said:
I've been looking into swapping mine too and it seems there's no clear cut easy answers. Have not come across any direct bolt on upgraded calipers or lower legs, it seems that new progressive springs is about all that can be done but I just might try putting some spacers in mine to stiffen the pre-load as it won't cost much to try it. As for less than clear cut I've come across the All Balls Racing steering bearing swap chart which does hold some promise. You can order up the bearings that will match the steering stem to the neck but as to stem length you're still on your own. It does appear that many Suzuki models use the same bearings which does hold some promise. https://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/forkconversion
Click to expand...

I asked before and it's on another thread in the "suspension" section and that is where I was trying to post but my 'big finger' slipped and it went into this section :rolleyes:
They told me last time that a GS650 front end would fit and I'm considering that.
 
grcamna2 said:
I asked before and it's on another thread in the "suspension" section and that is where I was trying to post but my 'big finger' slipped and it went into this section :rolleyes:
They told me last time that a GS650 front end would fit and I'm considering that.
Click to expand...

My thinking is that it's better in the long run to go to a bigger bike that already has better brakes and stiffer forks, I'm going to try the spacers and run what I've got.
 
LAB3 said:
My thinking is that it's better in the long run to go to a bigger bike that already has better brakes and stiffer forks, I'm going to try the spacers and run what I've got.
Click to expand...

Chop off a few inches of coils before fabricating your spacers. That will stiffen the spring rate not just increase the preload.
 
I've been told that the GS850G front end would fit the 650G, so if a 650 will fit a 450, then the 850 will work also. But is probably more than you need...
 
I and thinking of installing a pair of gs450 forks from another GS450 model that will have a top cap that screws down rather than the top cap that I have on my stock txz model which only has a circlip to hold the spring down.I will be able to add spacers much easier with that system.
My forks measure 33mm o.d. and are just about 29.5" long from the center of each axle hole in the lowers to the top of the tube.Do any of you members have a pair of forks in good condition? Mine are rust-pitted in the seal area and that doesn't help me.
 
LAB3 said:
My thinking is that it's better in the long run to go to a bigger bike that already has better brakes and stiffer forks, I'm going to try the spacers and run what I've got.
Click to expand...

I am enjoying the GS450 and will keep it for now,I'm just going to figure out how to improve my front suspension on my 450 for now Sir.
 
The GS front ends are all pretty much interchangable, the steering stem bearings may have to be changed, also
 
mnferwerda said:
I've been told that the GS850G front end would fit the 650G, so if a 650 will fit a 450, then the 850 will work also. But is probably more than you need...
Click to expand...

Hi Mark,
I did a little research and I think a GS850G front end might work,do you know the length of the forks ?? Thanks

I did a little more research,a GS850G complete front-end is what I want,anybody have a decent one?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top