1982 GL1100 New owner, front and rear suspension no air ride?

[Jeditaz11]

Hello, this is my first post. I am purchasing my first motorcycle next week and it needs its front fork seals replaced. I am aware of your how to articles on this subject, but I am curious if I can remove front and rear stock air ride suspension entirely and replace them with a non-air ride suspension with a strut assembly and shock absorber in the middle that are on cars and dirt bikes.

I searched this forum for a recommendation on suspension parts that would work for this, but I could not find any recommendations on how to remove the air suspension system entirely and switch to a shock and strut assembly. Thanks in advance for your consideration!!

[WingAdmin]

Hello, this is my first post. I am purchasing my first motorcycle next week and it needs its front fork seals replaced. I am aware of your how to articles on this subject, but I am curious if I can remove front and rear stock air ride suspension entirely and replace them with a non-air ride suspension with a strut assembly and shock absorber in the middle that are on cars and dirt bikes.

I searched this forum for a recommendation on suspension parts that would work for this, but I could not find any recommendations on how to remove the air suspension system entirely and switch to a shock and strut assembly. Thanks in advance for your consideration!!

Progressive 412 shocks are of the type you are looking for, and are strong enough to handle the weight of your bike:

https://www.progressivesuspension.com/p ... ies-shocks

[Jeditaz11]

Thanks wing admin! Do you recommend the 13" ride height for rear shocks? Do you have any recommendations for the front fork suspension? I've seen on a few videos that the clymer book suggests a non-air ride front suspension if the bike is going to use a side car. I'm not using a side car, but I'm interested in a non-air front suspension. Are there any shocks that you know would work on this bike?

[WingAdmin]

Thanks wing admin! Do you recommend the 13" ride height for rear shocks? Do you have any recommendations for the front fork suspension? I've seen on a few videos that the clymer book suggests a non-air ride front suspension if the bike is going to use a side car. I'm not using a side car, but I'm interested in a non-air front suspension. Are there any shocks that you know would work on this bike?

Stock rear shock height from the factory is 12 1/2". Progressive recommends 13" for their rear shocks, and when I put 416 air shocks on my 1100, that's what I went with. The bike sat a very slight bit higher, and seemed to ride better.

For the front, you can go with progressive springs which run fine without air (in fact they recommend you do not preload with any air for them).

[Jeditaz11]

Thanks!! I have read the fork seal replacement DIY article, is there a how to on how to install the progressive fork springs in the GL1100? If not I would be happy to contribute an article on the steps I take to accomplish this task.

I am about to purchase the springs in the link below. Would you agree that these are what you would use as well?

https://www.progressivesuspension.com/p ... spring-kit

[ponyroller]

I just bought new progressive springs and new caps to get rid of the air valves, was just wondering if you posted your how to? I couldn't find it. I was also wondering how much and what weight of oil is recommended for this project.