82 xr500 front forks spongy

[frostype400]

Is there any mods I can do to my 82 xr500 front forks to stiffen them up they are really bouncy I have put in a stiffer rear spring to sort the back out because you could bottom front and rear easily.

I had some stiffer rate fork springs but they didn’t fit so it is stock front end currently with stock oil height any ideas appreciated, thanks Michael.

[Momus]

Try a spacer or 2 maybe 10 mm long, more oil to up the inside oil compression ratio and thicker oil to compensate for likely well worn internal seals.
 
I'm not scared to use 30 weight engine oil.

[Flipper]

The official Honda manual for my '82 XR200R says to run 30kPa (4.3 PSI) of air in each fork. From memory, the XR500 ran something similar.

Make sure the seals are in good condition though, or you will just be wasting your time with trying air as a preloader.

[frostype400]

Thanks guys I will try both those and see how I go I think I just had atf so that’s like a 10wt I believe so I’ll definitely try a couple spacers and thicker oil.

I have another 82 500 that has a wr usd front end which is obviously light years ahead but I want to keep this one fairly original just half decent over bumpy stuff.

[bigk]

Don't bother with the "band aid" fixes, you'll just be working for no result. Spending $200 on the correct rate springs will go a long way to getting you sorted but if you want it really good, then buy some emulators as well (another $300 or thereabouts).
K

[PEZBerq]

Cut the springs down to make them stiffer. Will need to add spacers to replace the length cut out and also check it won’t coil bind. Done this plenty of times on my Huskys - very long soft springs.