92 Suzuki GS500 suspension

[MotoFreak]

Grabbed a running, but beat up GS500e and the suspension is HORRIBLE! What are my options for after market stuff, upgrades, kits, and if anyone knows of someone with a complete front end, forks, triples, etc. Pretty sure something is bent up front. Thanks!

[Chippertheripper]

Paging kurlon.
The one I grabbed from him has some fancier bits on it, but I have. I idea what they are. It seems to work well, though.
Love you.

[Sheppo]

I just grabbed one too. They say an R6 rear shock from 07 up works well. of course GMD would be a good place to go. Gstwins.com for the win

[Kurlon]

Up front you've got a few options. 1st level upgrade is a refresh with proper springs. GS forks are cheap and easy to find, if you've got bent/seriously worn major bits, swap'em. Fresh bushings, new springs and oil, big improvement. While you're in there you can add Racetech Emulators to improve the front end even more. If you're racing and are restricted to the stock forks you can go all the way and get a set of cartridge internals adapted but for the street I'd say WAY overkill and not worth the cost on stock forks. While you're upgrading the front, snag a new SV650 caliper to replace the unit you have now. Slightly beefier design, much better pad selection, bolts right up. Suzuki switched to this caliper for the GS500 later in it's life.

The GSTwin'ers also have a full list of front end swap options including the mods required for each. If you're going to go through the effort, get the new setup resprung for the bike too.

In back you've got multiple options. The GSTwin'ers have figured out a few easy to hack in shocks from other bikes as Sheppo noted. Works Performance will build you a shock for anywhere from $450 to $1100 depending on how fancy you want to get. I'm sure if you talk to GMD a Penske or Ohlins can be sourced as well. I was very pleased with my Works, if you're racing though there is something to be said for going with what the local suspension guy has the most time into...

[MotoFreak]

Cool beans! Thanks for the info guys...especially Kurlon, I figured you'd have some solid info...you wouldnt have a front end or rear shock that you'd like to part with...would you ;D

[Kurlon]

Heh, unfortunately no, I don't have any GS bits left.

[Trickniner]

I had a '98 that I upgraded the suspension. I didn't do anything crazy since it was my first bike and I was on a budget. I went with a set of racetech springs and heavier weight oil in the front end. I picked up a katana rear shock which raised the rear end up just enough to liven turn in, and also added rebound adjustment. What is nice about the Katana shock is that it was a direct bolton with no modification. I don't know what you're plans are for the bike or what the budget is but when you start looking into supersport shocks there can be grinding of parts to make it fit, plus they raise the bike so much that you need to extend the kickstand. Everything I did completely transformed the bike for me and the kind of street riding I did and didn't cost more than 150 bucks.

[Chippertheripper]

For those of you still in the region that has one of these:
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/mcy/2955735477.html

[Kurlon]

Bad Chippy, no teasing us motorcycle pack rats like that.

[Chippertheripper]

There's no room in my garage, else I wouldn't have posted it at all. I have a pretty good collection of spares as it is...

[Kurlon]

...damnit Chippy, now I'm thinking things... bad things...

...endurance racers on the cheap?

[MotoFreak]

Oh man! Chipper, go get me some front forks! ;D