ShredTheTag Posted August 19, 2020 Report Share Posted August 19, 2020 So last fall my front forks started to sag a little bit. Not terrible but noticable. This spring I set it up straight of the side stand and the front forks pretty well collapse. I added some air and they came up some but not to where I remember they used to be. So I'm working on the stance and I think it's better but the front air forks are just not stiff enough. Changed the fork oil with 215ml in each fork, using 50/50 ATF/10w30. (Read quite a few people are using this blend and like it) Forks definitely feel more consistent but still just weak feeling. Any suggestions? Tubes, springs, trees, what can I do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSerfozo Posted August 19, 2020 Report Share Posted August 19, 2020 New springs is the right answer but you can probably get your ride height back by adding a spacer on top of the spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShredTheTag Posted August 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2020 7 hours ago, MSerfozo said: New springs is the right answer but you can probably get your ride height back by adding a spacer on top of the spring. I added a 1.5" spacer when I changed the fork oil. Helped some with the preload but not so much the height. And it was a total pain ITA. I read some guys had no problem. Mine fork caps about got my face a time or two with a nice spring driven backfire . I don't really want to spend a bunch of money. But I definitely want a more aggressive feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motocat12 Posted August 19, 2020 Report Share Posted August 19, 2020 it's farked you have to buy a new bike. looks like the springs are progressive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShredTheTag Posted August 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2020 Yes progressive springs. Air adjustable progressive springs. .......🤬 . I got this bike as a gift from my Dad. Something he traded for something he got on a trade for something. Idk I'm not super attached to it and he even said if I can trade up, there's nothing wrong with that. I really enjoy the history of motorcycles and this GL500 SilverWing definitely fits into the more interesting side of Honda Engineering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSerfozo Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 12 hours ago, ShredTheTag said: I added a 1.5" spacer when I changed the fork oil. Helped some with the preload but not so much the height. And it was a total pain ITA. I read some guys had no problem. Mine fork caps about got my face a time or two with a nice spring driven backfire . I don't really want to spend a bunch of money. But I definitely want a more aggressive feel. Technically, the term "preload" only applies when the fork is topped out. At any other point, the spring force is balanced by the load (weight) on the spring. When you add a spacer to the top of the springs, it ALWAYS affects ride height by the amount of the length of the spacer. For a given load, the spring length will ALWAYS be the same. For a more aggressive feel, go with straight rate springs. Progressive rate springs are an easy way for manufacturers to make a bike that will "adequately" handle a broad range of riders but they are not "optimal" for anybody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motocat12 Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 If you chop springs and they have enough travel not to bind you increase the spring rate. If they are going bad you may not want to hack on them though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSerfozo Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 Here's what RaceTech says about your bike: .90 kg/mm or .95 kg/mm spring set is $129 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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