What front ends swap most easily?

[Tom R]

After a 110 mph blast (est. since my speedo only goes to 85) on my GS1100LT the other day I decided it'd be best to upgrade the suspension a bit. Last time I changed the oil in the forks, it came out with a good bit of silver in it?? I never really liked the air forks anyway, so I'm looking for options for other front ends I could fit on there.
I know anything with 37mm tubes will fit into my triple tree; but I guess I'm looking for something a little less spindly.
I love the look of the GSXR front end (though improved handling is my priority); but it seems like there are a lot of peripheral modifications that go along with it - Or maybe not.
Swapping bearings, grinding, shimming, spacing and drilling or anything I can do in my garage are not a big deal to me - maybe some minor welding too; but my machine shop access is limited.
Ideally I'd like to keep my parts costs under $300.00 - of course my time is free. Possible?

 

[81GS750]

Welcome. What year is your bike? Got any pics? Where are you located? 93-96 GSXR 1100 front end fits nicely. I used a 93 GSXR front and it bolted right up, just had to change the top bearing. The steering stops were in the correct place too. If you don't want to go that far, look in to progressive springs. Basscliff will be around soon to give you your welcome package. There are some good links for vendors in there that have suspension parts.

 

[hillsy]

GSXR or other USD fronts will significantly reduce your ride height on an L model GS.

Something to consider.

 

[Tom R]

Thanks for the input. I don't have any pics handy - I'll see what I can do. The bike is an '80 with a black V&H canister, pods and a jet kit. I put '83 cams and lifters in it last year as the originals were looking a little gouged - It runs pretty good - lately.

81, when you say front end, do you mean wheels, rotors and calipers. Could I use my existing wheel and brakes on that swap? I have a feeling it'd cost a bit more if I have to buy everything - probably rubber too - then the back to match.

I see someone selling '87 gsxr forks (anti-dive) and triple tree around here for $125.00 - I don't know anything about specs from that year - worthwhile? Even appears to be the same axle. They certainly can't handle any worse than what I have - and probably wouldn't drag my V&H header around either.

I thought about just getting new springs; but I don't know what's going on with these forks. Just went out and changed the fluid in them again yesterday - only about 1000 miles since the last time. Yep - once again it's like aluminum paint is pouring out of them.
I had someone change the fork seals for me about 4 years ago (didn't have an impact driver then); and the two times I've changed the oil since it's been pretty ugly. I haven't had the heart to take them apart and he came down with cancer and closed his doors since. Any ideas?

 

[Nessism]

How much air pressure are you running in your forks? If the answer is none, I suggest trying 12 psi or so and seeing if your handling improves. Many GSR members ditch the stock springs and get Progressive brand springs since that will eliminate the need for air. Adding a fork brace is another positive thing you can do easily.

Regarding the look of the oil, I wouldn't worry about it. The slider bushings tend to wear and contaminate the oil, but it looks worse than it is. You might want to look into changing the bushings depending on how worn yours are, but most of the time you can simply flush out the forks really well and refill the oil.

Changing to a completely different set of forks is extreme, and not necessary unless you push your bike really hard in the corners. I'd try the normal upgrades first.

 

[81GS750]

By front end, I mean the whole assembly. Forks, yokes, wheel, brake system, fender. Do some searching and you can come up with one at at reasonable price. I've found them on craigslist for around $300 for the setup. I have a set of PDF anti-dive forks from an 86 GS1100 for sale. PM me for more info.

 

[Tom R]

I have kept 12psi in the forks over the years. That's good to hear about the bushings, repairable. I believe these forks are actually off an '82 gs850GL - so the springs may be too light even for factory?
It's never handled horribly, but it doesn't inspire confidence either - and maybe a different bike would be easiest way to get that - but why not add this to the list of projects.
IF I still want to invest time in money in a front end swap...
- Is the first generation gsxr a better ride height easier swap? Meaning; will just new bearings let the 17mm axle work with my existing wheels (19"), rotors and brakes.
- are there any other Honda, Kawasaki etc.. front ends I can also keep a lookout for this winter?

 

[kochic]

i have a complete(front forks assy, triple tree, clip on rotor wheels sprocket carrier swingarm shock spindle) first gen 750 rolling gear for sale.With good tires.I have a spare set of wheel with rotors too.the pics was here but the thread is deleted.i will take pic if you want.250$, open to offer.
the tripple tree fit your bike.
thanks you,
marc

 

[olddaddy]

Could one of you guys who knows about front ends and suspension advise me on which set of forks I could use to upgrade my 81 GS 450 to dual discs and better handling?

 

[hillsy]

Could one of you guys who knows about front ends and suspension advise me on which set of forks I could use to upgrade my 81 GS 450 to dual discs and better handling?

Depends on how much work you are willing to do. You could put on a USD front from a CBR600RR or something, but you'd need the entire front end and it would be $$$ and a nightmare of custom fab work.....

Or you could put on a GS750/1100 front end (81/82) and it should pretty well bolt right up (they run the same steering bearings as the 450's). That will give you twin discs, beefier forks (37mm compared to 33) and the matching style of wheel as your 450. There's a bunch of guys putting USD fronts on their 1100's, so theoretically you should be able to pick up one of these front ends pretty cheap.

 

[MikeG]

Is there any benefit to putting a front end from a 85GS700ES onto my 82 GS750EZ?

I might be able to get it cheap but not sure if it's the same thing as mine or not.

 

[Guest]

None really, except for the 2mm bigger dia. The anti-dive on them didn't work very well. They will be a little longer too due to the 16in. wheel on the 700's.

 

[Billy Ricks]

Could one of you guys who knows about front ends and suspension advise me on which set of forks I could use to upgrade my 81 GS 450 to dual discs and better handling?

A good upgrade for you would be An '88-90 GSXR750. The '88 is the shortest of the bunch. You could either run the Katana 600 front wheel and brakes or the wider GSXR wheel. You could probably squeeze a 3.5" Katana 600 wheel in the rear. You could run a 130 or a 140 on that wheel. To run a 140 you would need a minimum of 6" between the swingarm at the narrowest point. A 130 needs a bare minimum of 5.6". That only gives 1/4" one each side of the tire. If you can get a 140 to fit you can find that size in a radial. Up front if you go with the Katana wheel you can run a 110, GSXR wheel a 120. I'd pair the 120 front with the 140 rear and the 110 front with the 130 rear.

 

[Guest]

Tom, I'm using a 87 gsxr front end on my 80 gs1100. It was a straight bolt on except for steering stops. I haven't had it on the road yet but clearance seems fine. I went with the whole package....wheel, brakes etc. I got rid of the clip ons which I didn't want anyway by going to risers. I mounted a set of Bandit gauges & must say I really like the way it turned out. It will definitely be an big improvement over stock.

Paul

 

[Guest]

I've got a '88-'97 (pre as they're called) gsx600f front end here minus the front wheel and the tube sections of the handlebars (calipers would need new pads and the legs need new seals) that i'd let go for $75 plus shipping...

I had a set of these on my 750 before i switched to an RF900 front end.

 

[Black Adder]

Could one of you guys who knows about front ends and suspension advise me on which set of forks I could use to upgrade my 81 GS 450 to dual discs and better handling?

Hmm, I swapped my 450 front end to USD. First I tried a B-King forks on, looked quite good but the forks were from a wrecked bike and to have them repaired... ...too much dineros. So I had another frontend lying at my garage (it was actually reserved for another project but you know - friday, couple of beers, good company etc...) so it ended up in to the old GS.

The forks and triples are from -02 gsxr 1000 if I remember correctly and wheel is from tl 1000s. Dont know about the spindle it was laying in one of my part boxes - needs a custom spacer to get it alinged (you really want a "whole set" including rim, spindle, spacers, brakedisks and -calibers at least, and a suitable brakehandle assembly wont hurt either - if you dont have a big pile of unused parts where to choose from, it might, and will be a bugger to find all parts that actually fits together).

Then you need a good bearing shop to mate the frontend to the bike - most of the headstock bearings are standard sizes and the GS kingpin is quite thin - I used a bearing that fitted to the gsxr triples and a spacer between the kingpin and the bearing (you need something to heat up the spacer and freeze the kingpin to get the spacer in place, very, VERY tight fit).

Thats my .02$.

Oh the pics:

http://mustasurma.pictures.fi/kuvat/Project+Cafe/
1st try with the B-King front (that was FUBAR)

2nd try with gsxr front end and current state of the bike

Now this bike is a long term project that I pay attention when I have time: lots of ideas, some of them outrageous but a couple of thoughts that I have in mind: monoshock rear with 5,5" rim, "keyless" RFID ignition lock (allready have it), very minimal amount of cables and wires to be seen (ie. internal throttle assy. (got that one as well), hydraulic drivetrain (erm, not likely to happen but...) LED lights, a bit of carbon here and there... ...you get the point. LONG TERM