Front suspension

[bmwterrien]

I've come full circle, from airheads, to oilheads and now back to an 83 R100RS. I know it is old technology compared to my "old" 2004 GS, but this bike is like a pogo stick. What is the best way to firm up the front end? It needs a lot of help!
TIA

Steve

[James.A]

New springs and heavy fork oil (10w or higher maybe?) ought to do it.

[ChrisF]

Steve,

Capital Cycle offers progressive fork springs (77-1101) for 70-84 twins at $69.95 per pair. These springs helped with my 73 /5.

Chris

[kbasa]

Yo Steve! You didn't buy my old bike, did you?

Anyway, I preloaded the springs with a 1" piece of PVC pipe and filled the forks with 7.5 wt. fork oil, if I remember correctly. Putting Konis on the back helped immensely too.

Congrats on teh RS. What color? Mine was blue.

[Braddog]

I had a similar problem. New front springs, oil, etc, would definitely help. And using sections of PVC pipe lets you add some adjustment.

All that said, what do you have on for rear shocks? Putting on decent rear shocks and setting up the preload and dampening will make a world of difference. I put on a set of IKON's (remake of KONI's) set them up properly for my weight, and BINGO! Much better, even on the front end.

edit - OOPS, Kbasa already mentioned the Koni's. But he's right! ;)

[dlearl476]

RaceTech Gold Valve emulators and new springs. You won't believe the difference.