Honda CX500 & GL500 Forum

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07-11-2010, 1:23 AM sonofdunn82GL500I Joined on 07-11-2010 Chattanooga, TN Posts 1 Fat guy rides a GL500i I have just bought a GL500i. my first bike was a 1981 CX500 Deluxe, so when I saw this GL500i I just had to get it! Here is the problem... I was 18 and weighed 240 pounds when I got my first bike, I am 41 now and about 360+ pounds! The bike runs great, however, the only issue I am having is that I "Bottom Out" every time I hit a bump in the road. I am NOT blaming the Bike for this, I am the one who worked the fork with the food on it for all these years!! I am wondering is there a way to adjust the Monoshock? Is there a way to "Beef Up" the shock to keep from Bottoming out on every ripple in the road? By the way, I know there is someone out there thinking..."Well, you could lose weight!!" You are correct! However, I could also Duct Tape myself to the outside of the Space Shuttle, but that would not make me an Astronaut!!! I am in need of Therapy, but for now I will settle for some technical advice! Thank you for any suggestion or help you could give. 1982 GL500i    Report

07-11-2010, 4:03 AM Spacetiger Joined on 05-16-2009 Chantilly, VA Posts 1,353 Re: Fat guy rides a GL500i Welcome, don't forget to post an avitar. Even though you carry more weight than some of us, you are within the weight ability of the bike, so I'd suggest you go max air pressure for the rear shock.  You get to it via the side right panel.  There is a sticker there to tell you the max pressure. Jerry 90 PC 800 (commuting steed) 82 GL500I (50+mpg, great bike) 66 BMW R 50/2 (No brakes/HP) 80 CX500C (Loved this bike) 74 CB360 (Fun; but too small) 79 CX500D (40,000+ mi in 3 years) 76 CB550 (step up from 200cc) 74 KZ200 (1st bike!)    Report

07-11-2010, 5:05 AM SamsGL650I Joined on 05-30-2010 Annville, PA Posts 93 Re: Fat guy rides a GL500i Also check the front forks,- are air adjustable also,--CAREFUL,- use only a low volumn bicycle type pump to add air to the fronts. Also check and experiment with your tire pressures. sam 1983 Honda GL650I Kawasaki EN500LTD 1st Bike: @1974 Honda CL 175    Report

07-11-2010, 6:18 AM chicagorandy Joined on 05-28-2007 Chicago, IL Posts 414 Re: Fat guy rides a GL500i I 'think' the max pressure on the monoshock is 70psi? I run mine at 'about' 55-60psi. The bike is purt near 30 years old and so is the shock. Max air combined with the impact load you will subject it to could still bottom out the suspension or even blow a seal. I have not read of a practical way to 'beef up' an Interstate's suspension, but others far more knowledgable can post. 2003 Ural Tourist - 80,245kms to date 1982 Honda GL500 Interstate 12,800 miles since 05/30/07 "Down the highway of life at smiles per hour, with special attention to ignorant and blind cagers"    Report

07-11-2010, 8:20 AM DakotaMK Joined on 06-01-2010 Ottawa, IL, USA Posts 90 Re: Fat guy rides a GL500i You're not fat........ fluffy maybe :-) but not fat gotta love Gabriel Iglesias 1982 Honda GL500 This is my bike, there are others like it- but this one is mine!!    Report

07-11-2010, 11:51 AM Shep Joined on 01-30-2007 UK.2x1980CX500A Posts 7,647 Re: Fat guy rides a GL500i Harley rider at a Bike Cafe last Sunday had the best,"Patch" on his jacket I've seen for ages. "Fay Guys Are Harder To Kidnap" My Music http://www.reverbnation.com/pauldouglas/ Join Just In Case :) http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/ Id quot circumiret, circumveniat    Report

07-11-2010, 1:29 PM stubby Joined on 04-12-2009 Northern Michigan (Troll, not UP) Posts 131 Re: Fat guy rides a GL500i I weighed 380 lbs last summer when I started riding my GL500 (down to 300 lbs now). I never bottomed out and the road I took to work 5 days a week was pretty bumpy. I don't know exactly what you have to do, but I know it can be fixed. 82 GL500 (mine) 81 GL500 (hers)    Report

07-12-2010, 9:11 AM stormtrooper784 Joined on 08-22-2007 Idaho Posts 329 Re: Fat guy rides a GL500i Maybe source a different shock with a higher spring rate? 3 years ago I was 420, and my little CX500D packed my butt back, and forth to work no problem. There were a few weird corners that had me scrappin' the center stand ( only scarry the first 10 or 15 times!!! ) You could alway's do away with the shock all together, and go with a solid strut rod!!! LOL! Good luck! 81' CX500D 80' CX500C parts all over the place!!!!    Report

07-12-2010, 9:35 AM RichNCT Joined on 03-02-2006 Connecticut, USA Posts 3,463 Re: Fat guy rides a GL500i If the ProLink rear suspension linkage bushings are sticking, squeaking, or seized, (and if they are "original" they likely do need attention) the ride quality will suffer, maybe to a serious degree. Removal, disassembly and cleaning/refreshing/relubing can be relatively easy, or become a nightmare, depending on degree of seizing. They cannot be lubed adequately or "fixed" without disassembly. Refueling on The James Bay Road, 2009 Born to be relatively wild (for a grampa x 3) GL650I, CX650E, CX650T    Report

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