GL1500 what springs to use

[arkwing]

I just bought a 1989 Honda GL1500 Trike not sure whos trike kit is on it.I need to know what springs and fork oil will be best for this setup,right now the front fork seals are leaking and im sure it has stock rake with stock springs. the ride is rough. it has leaf springs in the rear with a mustang two rear end.I need to change the gearing right now it has 3.55 ratio running 55 mph=3000 rpm 65mph=3500 rpm.if i keep it under 55 im getting 35 mpg so thats not bad.also someone has removed the rear shocks,the mounts are there and the stock air compressor is there. so far the bike runs good seams like it rode so bad that no one ever rode much so it only has 43K on it. anyone have a gl1500 with the leaf spring rear?

[jim peacock]

Do you know what kind of trike kit it is?
You need at least a four and a half degree rake kit.
As for as front springs I would replace them with new stock ones and honda fork oil.

[John Luciano]

I put progressive springs in mine , made a world of difference . Also was told that automatic Tranny fluid is good for the oil.

[Baz]

The front spring (rear also ) rating is determined by the correct static sag measurement which will include at some point having the rider / pillion on the bike to correctly set the suspension. Soooo! spring ratings that suit some will not suit all.
ATF is not a good fork oil period.

Lack of rear shocks will see the rear springs be they coil or leaf type go into wild
vertical oscillation resulting in severe & dangerous loss of grip both front & rear.
You need to hunt down a suspension shop that knows what they are doing to get it fully sorted.

[arkwing]

Ive used progessives on my other gl1500 but it was a two wheeler,just wondered if the trike may need a lighter spring in the front forks.right now i will rebuild the front forks with new springs, seals, fork oil add a brace, new front tire and install some shocks on the rear and see how it behaves.Im in the home stretch of a frame replacement on my GL1800 should be finished tomorrow and off riding it for the next week or so.ive been riding the trike around like it is and i can tell im going to like it when its setup right.

[arkwing]

Anyone ever use the progessive spring thats made for the gl1200 in a gl1500 trike