"bigger" front end vs upgraded stock KZ1000j3

Hello! I'm at a crossroads. I'm almost done with my '83 KZ1000j3 "barnfind" rebuild! But the forks seem way to soft for any serious (just road-fun)riding. The bike has not ben ridden in 5 years or so. Will a simple oil change do the trick or should i "rebuild" it completly with new springs and seals ? It does not leak and has a air-valve on top of each inner-tube. I can't find anything about in the Clymer book beside the note about the police model using atmospheric preassure... So it's only for realising preassure ? Or should there be a certain amount of air in it ? If rebuilding, i'm going to change the springs to Hyperpro Progressive springs, any thoughts on them ? Or should i go shopping for a "bigger" front-end from newer bike ? Can the stock front be good ?

Simon

I am getting ready to drop the hammer on a set of progressive springs, and a set of racetech gold cartridge fork emulators, Bel ray 15 wt fork oil. word I am getting is that those few parts will drag our old forks "kicking and screaming" into the new millenium. And DON'T FORGET THE REAR SHOCKS! They sucked when they were brand new, so, 30 yrs down the road, they aren't going to be any better!

GOA is correct...and there is no need to replace the entire front end...unless you are wanting to change the look/handling of the J3 (which is a fairly rare model, BTW). If you are convinced that the fork seals do not leak, then, for the moment, drop in a set of progressive springs and change the fork oil...but be prepared to change the seals when they do start leaking after a season of riding.

Are we going to see any pics? And like Mcdroid said. Very rare indeed.

Do you guys really like the progressive springs? I have never liked them for aggressive riding because they usually blow through half of their travel too quickly. I am a heavy rider.

I replaced the factory progressive springs with linear rate springs on my Ducati hypermotard and the handling improved drastically.

infanterene wrote: Do you guys really like the progressive springs? I have never liked them for aggressive riding because they usually blow through half of their travel too quickly. I am a heavy rider.

I replaced the factory progressive springs with linear rate springs on my Ducati hypermotard and the handling improved drastically.

Progressive is a brand name. Replacing the old factory springs with progressive springs
from Progressive is an upgrade.

I wish you were right but I think as per their description they are progressively wound.

"Do your springs have you wound too tight? Progressive Suspension fork springs soak up small road bumps and have the ability to absorb the larger ones, too. Their progressively wound design provides you with the best of both worlds. When you install these fork springs, you'll be amazed at the improvement that you'll feel in the handling and ride of your machine. Straight rate springs can only offer linear resistance to compression and are a compromise. Give yourself the best ride and handling with Progressive Suspension fork springs. These springs are proudly made in the USA."

I searched high and low for stiffer springs and didn't find any.