Author Topic: Doing fork seals on a K7 (Read 4026 times)

anotherCB · « **on:** May 17, 2012, 11:41:13 AM »

I pretty much know what to do, but wanted to see whether there are any hints out there, how to make the job easier (e.g. how to get the seals out, what fork oil to use and how much, how to get in the new seals in easily, etc.). I appreciate everything that makes my life easier

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2012, 12:02:15 PM »

Getting out is the hard part. There are some tools that can make it easier.

Fork oil is dependent on the level of cushioning you want. 10W maybe. 20W maybe.

Putting seals in - lettering on the seals up. Use a piece of PVC pipe against the top of the seal and a mallet to tap in. It works easier for me with the fork tubes in place already. Oil the seal/fork area.

70CB750 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2012, 04:38:40 PM »

Jerry is spot on, thats how I replace mine.

anotherCB · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2012, 08:12:22 PM »

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it went. Might be a couple of days until I get started but the left side is leaking like my Harley engine :-)

754 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2012, 08:24:53 PM »

K7 can be donewith fork tubes still in the trees,seals are easy to put in,out is harder..I use 2 sheet metal or dry-wall screws to get em out.. good method.. I dont give a sheet what anyone tells you...

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2012, 08:25:28 PM »

If my seals leak like my Harley engine they'll never have to be replaced. It's tightern a drum.

754 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2012, 08:38:58 PM »

My K 4 leaks way worse than a Harley...

ChuckG750f1 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2012, 07:17:29 AM »

Quote from: anotherCB on May 17, 2012, 08:12:22 PM

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it went. Might be a couple of days until I get started but the left side is leaking like my Harley engine :-)

I'm in no way discouraging you from changing your seals, however, you can take 5 minutes before you tear into it and possibly clean out crud that is causing the leak. A piece of plastic cut from a smooth soda bottle, blister pack or 35mm film strip shoved in and slid around between the seal and fork tube can clear crap that is causing a leak. This won't fix a bad seal but can clean a dirty one. I didn't believe it until I did it. My right seal started leaking like a sieve, I ordered new seals, got ready to do the job and then read a post somewhere about 35mm film used to clean fork seals. Gave it a try with plastic I cut from a package that my new grips came in. I went around the seal about 4 times, then wiped away the fluid and pumped the front end of the bike as hard as I could maybe 30 times. Not a hint of a leak after 120 miles on back country roads.

anotherCB · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2012, 07:59:40 AM »

Thanks, great idea, worth a try!

Duanob · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2012, 08:49:36 AM »

When installing new seals you want to make sure they are square to the top of the fork legs and sliders. I use a piece of 1 1/2" ABS plastic plumbing pipe, cut it square and long enough to go past the top of the slider and sand the end so there are no burrs. Put the slider through the seal and then slide everything down into the leg. Use the pipe to tap the seal into place. I use a bit of honda bond or equivilant around the outside of the seal where it seats into the fork leg. Then tighten the top caps with the spring installed before you try and tighten the allen screw in the bottom of the leg. That will keep the slider form spinning around inside the lower leg. Good luck.

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2012, 04:19:58 PM »

Quote from: 754 on May 17, 2012, 08:38:58 PM

My K 4 leaks way worse than a Harley...

My Harley has never leaked a drop of anything so your K4 must not have much of a leak!

Magilla · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2012, 04:37:01 PM »

I've owned plenty of Harley's that did not leak. I've had Sportsters, twin cams and a stroked shovel head and they were all leak free. My k6 on the other hand has a seepage issue. When I need to pull the motor, that will be the time to fix that issue.

phil71 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2012, 06:01:51 PM »

Fork seal tips cont'd: if they're really old, I sometimes will heat the bottom of the stanchion around the allen (or phillips). I always use an impact tool to crack the inner bolt (phillips or allen).
A little heat around the seal can help break a stubborn one out. I really mean just a little .. with mapp gas.

anotherCB · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2012, 07:57:27 PM »

ChuckG750F, I almost can't believe but I tried your tricj and it (almost) works. I went from "quite a big" leak to "almost no leak".

I didn't have a film roll handy in the digital age, so I used the SIM card of my digi cam, may be that's why

Anyway, doing fork seals now moved down on my list a bit. I will do them anyway, since I already got the parts but the pressure is off. Thanks again!

ChuckG750f1 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 21, 2012, 06:14:12 AM »

Quote from: anotherCB on May 20, 2012, 07:57:27 PM

ChuckG750F, I almost can't believe but I tried your tricj and it (almost) works. I went from "quite a big" leak to "almost no leak".

I didn't have a film roll handy in the digital age, so I used the SIM card of my digi cam, may be that's why

Anyway, doing fork seals now moved down on my list a bit. I will do them anyway, since I already got the parts but the pressure is off. Thanks again!

Sounds like you partially cleaned a dirty seal to me. Take another 5 minutes and do this: Take a smooth plastic soda bottle and cut a ~1.5" X 3" piece out of the side. On one end make a "S" curve hook shape with ~1/2 inch radius. Jam that hook in there and make sure you get it all the way in. Pull that around 3-4 times and then pull it out.

I would consider this BS except mine went from bad to nothing in 2 minutes. Let me know how it goes.

anotherCB · « **Reply #15 on:** May 21, 2012, 06:20:56 AM »

Will try for sure! If I get rid of the leak completely you'll be in the McGyver Hall of Fame!

ChuckG750f1 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 21, 2012, 10:23:50 AM »

^I can't take credit for this. I can't remember where I read it, but it is apparently a somewhat common practice.

This is about the shape I used. Use the curved form of the soda bottle plastic to help match the radius of the fork/seal

anotherCB · « **Reply #17 on:** May 21, 2012, 12:47:37 PM »

Just got myself a Diet Coke so I am ready!

anotherCB · « **Reply #18 on:** May 23, 2012, 05:45:41 AM »

See below and judge for yourself. After going into the seal again with the piece of soda bottle, the leak is gone! The photo was taken after a hard 40 mls ride and there is no oil! I might do the seals anyway in the not so far future just for the piece of mind and because they are collecting dust already but for now it works great!

Let's start a thread and put all these little tricks somewhere! Thanks again Chuck!

ChuckG750f1 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 23, 2012, 06:20:28 AM »

Quote from: anotherCB on May 23, 2012, 05:45:41 AM

See below and judge for yourself. After going into the seal again with the piece of soda bottle, the leak is gone! The photo was taken after a hard 40 mls ride and there is no oil! I might do the seals anyway in the not so far future just for the piece of mind and because they are collecting dust already but for now it works great!

Let's start a thread and put all these little tricks somewhere! Thanks again Chuck!

Glad it worked for you. Did you use a similar shape plastic as I suggested? This is the kind of trick everyone should know when they are 500 miles from home and there fork starts leaking!

I wonder if the crud that gets caught in the seals and starts them leaking is the result of very old fluid in the forks (I don't know when my 34 year old forks were overhauled last, if ever). I assume there is debris in there that can potentially get forced into the seal/tube interface. I plan on overhauling my forks but I'd like to do it on my schedule (when there is snow on the ground).

Stev-o · « **Reply #20 on:** May 23, 2012, 06:27:24 AM »

I am going to try this as well

anotherCB · « **Reply #21 on:** May 23, 2012, 06:31:48 AM »

Yes, I made a piece according to the pic you sent.

ChuckG750f1 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 23, 2012, 08:57:39 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on May 23, 2012, 06:27:24 AM

I am going to try this as well

Stev-o, hope it works! Please report back. I threw out the piece of plastic I used, but I'm making another and throwing it under my seat. May never use it, but I'll have it.-Chuck

anotherCB · « **Reply #23 on:** May 23, 2012, 11:01:36 AM »

I already put mine in the toolbox on the bike!

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Author Topic: Doing fork seals on a K7 (Read 4026 times)