1500 front forks

[Charc]

Hi does anyone know if there is a internal fiff between forks with air. Sdjust and forks without air other than just the shrader valve? Im asking if a guy could just ad a air valve to the cap of non air forks and ad air or if theres a internal diff somewhere? Im thinking of trying to put air caps on mine or tap em and try it unless theres a internal diff? Thank u

[WingAdmin]

Hi does anyone know if there is a internal fiff between forks with air. Sdjust and forks without air other than just the shrader valve? Im asking if a guy could just ad a air valve to the cap of non air forks and ad air or if theres a internal diff somewhere? Im thinking of trying to put air caps on mine or tap em and try it unless theres a internal diff? Thank u

You can definitely do that, and several people have - drilled and tapped the caps and installed schraeder valves. Don't do it on the bike though, you don't want metal filings dropping down into your fork tubes.

The factory caps with valves are exactly that - just schraeder valves screwed into the top of the cap. No internal tubes or extra mechanisms.

[Charc]

Awesome, i was thinkin i could , but wanted to be sure lol thank u very much. I wonder how hard it would be to find caps from a wrecked wing that had air?

[MikeB]

I think you may be overthinking the air fork idea. The stock forks that have the schrader valve in them already only take 6 psi of air maximum and it makes negligible difference in the ride or feel of the bike. In fact, most people do not add air at all. The air needs to be balanced between the forks and without a balance tube between them, there is no real reliable way to insure the air pressure is balanced between the forks.

One other thing, just about everyone that has replaced the weak OEM fork springs on a GL1500 has used Progressive Suspension fork springs. The installation instructions recommends that no air be used as a starting point. It says: After installing the fork cap, we recommend no air pressure for a starting point. See fine tuning for more information. Under fine tuning it says: Progressive fork springs are designed to be used with no air pressure under normal conditions. A few pounds of air can make a difference, so add air in small increments.

Small increments is all you have since 6 psi is the max recommended. In the owners manual it says: Too much air pressure can damage the front suspension. Do not exceed 6 psi (40 kPa, 0.4 kg/cm 2). Be sure the air pressure of both fork legs is the same.

Bottom line in my book, don't bother with air in the forks.

[Charc]

Ok hmm, i had several 80s bikes that had air forks and they all made a huge diff, but i also was thinking going progessive? I was just wanting to fix the huge dive in front sudpension when going from zide stand to upright, i know they all drop some but mine drops like half the travel? And thats along with ride was what the air did on my 80s bikes 86 suzuki 1200. . And 87 honda 1100

[MikeB]

Ok hmm, i had several 80s bikes that had air forks and they all made a huge diff, but i also was thinking going progessive? I was just wanting to fix the huge dive in front sudpension when going from zide stand to upright, i know they all drop some but mine drops like half the travel? And thats along with ride was what the air did on my 80s bikes 86 suzuki 1200. . And 87 honda 1100

Progressive's springs will help a lot. You must have original springs. They are no doubt weak and need to be replaced.

[Charc]

Awesome, ill definately try those first then thank u very much for helpin out really appreciate it! Ride safe

[WingsandThings]

I was just wanting to fix the huge dive in front sudpension when going from zide stand to upright, i know they all drop some but mine drops like half the travel?

I just did the switch to progressive springs.
The old springs are still well within spec according to the manual I have, but I had the same dive you have.
Not only did it dive, but when I would get off the bike and put it on the side stand it would raise back up, usually just as I was walking away from the bike and it would scare the crap out of me because I would think the bike was falling over.

I would recommend getting the All Balls fork seal kit, and the bushing kit. Wingadmin has a great how to rebuild your forks thread in the "Do It Yourself" section.

I have a 1993 SE, but it does not have the schrader valves in the fork caps.

I put 10 weight fork oil in and am happy with the way the bike rides now. It is still a bit klunky but I think that is the nature of the beast.

[Rambozo]

Be aware that adding air to the forks also makes the seals have more stiction so the forks will feel grabby. Springs are the way to go. You can also do some fine tuning with quantity and viscosity of fork oil.

[Charc]

Great, thanks and thats exactly what mine does. I will def do progressive then and rebuild forks. Thanks again .

[Charc]

I was just wanting to fix the huge dive in front sudpension when going from zide stand to upright, i know they all drop some but mine drops like half the travel?

I just did the switch to progressive springs.
The old springs are still well within spec according to the manual I have, but I had the same dive you have.
Not only did it dive, but when I would get off the bike and put it on the side stand it would raise back up, usually just as I was walking away from the bike and it would scare the crap out of me because I would think the bike was falling over.

I would recommend getting the All Balls fork seal kit, and the bushing kit. Wingadmin has a great how to rebuild your forks thread in the "Do It Yourself" section.

I have a 1993 SE, but it does not have the schrader valves in the fork caps.

I put 10 weight fork oil in and am happy with the way the bike rides now. It is still a bit klunky but I think that is the nature of the beast.

Exacrly what mine does, i will get progressive springs and get em dun. Thank u very much for info really appreciate it!

[DenverWinger]

While you have the fork caps off, worthwhile to drill and tap for a schrader valve, or maybe just a threaded plug. Not so much for adding air pressure, but having a valve or plug you can unscrew would make it a lot easier for future fork oil changes, you don't have to remove the fork caps to add oil.

[Charc]

Good idea, thanks ill def do it. Didnt think of that. Will make it easier for sure.

[p40warhawk67]

How can you tell if you have progressive fork springs or OEM?

I just got my 1st Wing and have no idea what it has. I have to replace the fork seals as they leak.
1999 SE

[Rambozo]

Progressive brand springs are progressive. You will see the coils are tighter at one end and get looser at the other. They are also usually a bit longer than the OEMs.

[p40warhawk67]

What fork oil is the best to use? I will rebuild mine with OEM seals too. and OEM brake pads

[MikeB]

What fork oil is the best to use? I will rebuild mine with OEM seals too. and OEM brake pads

Stay OEM would be the easiest.