R80G/S front end upgrade (2025)

The problem with the front end is the frame. A stiffer set of forks require frame mods to strengthen the frame otherwise it can crack. HPN frames are strengthened because of this but cost a fortune.

I think a paralever front end or a 650GS front is about as far as I'd be happy to go without modding the frame.

I had the same thought process as you and ended up swopping the r80g/s with my dad Pastyman for a 650 Dakar.

I was sad to see the old girl go as she was a beauty, and very original, but I decided it was too nice to chop around.

Been playing on the Dak today off road and I made the right choice. Fortunately I will still get the odd chance to ride the old girl from time to time.

Leave her alone if it's a tidy original and buy a pogo or something similar.

For the road, the standard set up is more than adequete IMHO.

My GS paralever front end is in the for sale section

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132663

Rob

I did the paralever (R100GS) front end upgrade two years ago.
Simple, plug & play and budget friendly. And the result is quite satifying.
When combined with a R1100GS / K100 / ... brake caliper it stops very well too.

Recently, i have replaced that front end with a WP USD 43mm and matching wheel & brake.
This adds more suspension travel for off-roading but you will have to extend the rear as well, to maintain proportions.
And the seat height increases, which is not always an advantage...

What do you want to use your G/S for primarily?

Cheers,
Michel

The GS front end is the way to go - a huge step up and if you want a few more farkles you can fit HPNs Magnum spring/ damper inserts,which are another step up again and make as much difference as a Ohlins does at the rear.And it is all plug and play ------.

A 12mm master cylinder in lieu of the 15mm beefs up the front brake just as much as the 4 piston calliper at much less cost, but you cant post pictures of it.

Beemerboff said:

A 12mm master cylinder in lieu of the 15mm beefs up the front brake just as much as the 4 piston calliper at much less cost

Click to expand...

That depends on how much you pay for the 4-pot.

I haven't tried it, but I can hardly imagine that the stock item can perform as well as a 4-pot by just changing the master cylinder.
Have you tried both?

Cheers,
Michel

The stock M.C. is a 15 mm , so a 12mm gives 50% more clamping power at the disc.
Combine that with a set of Brembos HH pads , or DP 620 s and you will have no trouble locking the front wheel, with a nice progressive feel too.

Cant see that you will need more than that.

I had my 15 mm MC sleeved down to 12mm with a SS sleeve for $A90- when it needed repair anyway , so there was no additional cost, and the DP 620 pads were out of the remainder bin for $A 25- , one third the cost of OEM.
Better pads than OEM too.

daytonatwin said:

Could you tell me what hub and rim you used, thanks, Mike.

Click to expand...

Since I already had two of those, I used G/S front wheels in my GS forks.
I fitted R100GS discs (with a spacer) and had a spindle made to measure.

So you paid 115 aussie dollars Beemerboff.
I paid 25 euros for my 4-pot calliper including pads.
That's about 42 in your money, I win

Cheers,
Michel

pastyman said:

Does it fit straight onto the lugs on the fork?

Click to expand...

The holes are at the right distance. You'll have to machine approximately 3mm off the calliper to get the center of the calliper in line with the brake disc, that's all.

I didn't do that, because I had to make spacers for the GS disc on the G/S wheel anyway. So I lined them up like that.

Here's a clear picture of such the setup you want (not my bike):

Beemerboff said:

The stock M.C. is a 15 mm , so a 12mm gives 50% more clamping power at the disc.
Combine that with a set of Brembos HH pads , or DP 620 s and you will have no trouble locking the front wheel, with a nice progressive feel too.

.

Click to expand...

As far as i am aware the stock master cyl is 13 not 15mm..At least it is on both of my 100's...
The twin disk road bikes had 15mm fitted as standard
If you had a 15mm maybe thats why your brakes were crap

Garry H said:

As far as i am aware the stock master cyl is 13 not 15mm..At least it is on both of my 100's...
The twin disk road bikes had 15mm fitted as standard
If you had a 15mm maybe thats why your brakes were crap

Click to expand...

Yep 13mm on the G/s and GS