Ok, so I picked up a used F4i shock from a local junkyard today, and shipped off to JD for rebuilding etc. for my '86VF500F... so for the time being, I'm on hold with the rear suspension.

As for the front, my local Honda dealer says they can't get factory or aftermarket springs, so I'm buying seals and stock-equivalent oil to 're-do' the front fork. QUESTION: I'm a big guy (190lbs nekkid) and like to take my GF on rides and normally take saddlebags and or a tank bag. How can I 'help' the fork compensate for the weight? The tech at the dealer recommends 'pre-loading' the springs with a PVC spacer of 1"ish in the fork...

Also, the JY had a bike just like mine... about 80% of it was there, and tank was in pretty good shape, couple of minor dings on the front, no cap. Also had a couple of carb assemblies in the back, some front fairings, fork arms, couple of gauge clusters... debating going back for the parts and selling them myself...