Topic: '74 550 fork boot replacement

[Airbusboy]

Well I knew I was on borrowed time. My 40 year old fork boots have split. New ones are coming but does anyone know the easiest way to replace them? Can I stretch 'em enough to get 'em over the caliper mounts from the bottom or will I have to pull the forks from the tree and go from the top?

[dave500]

from the top,how are the seals?might aswell change the fork oil if its old or unknown?

[MiGhost]

My 40 year old fork boots have split.

Which leads me to believe that the steering head bearings have not been serviced\replaced either. It will be a good time to replace\upgrade the bearings while you have the front end apart. You probably have 40 year old grease in those bearings also. That can not be good.

Any notchiness, or catching in the steering?
Can you feel any movement in the forks front to rear, or side to side?

[Airbusboy]

Nope, no 'notchiness' in the steering. This bike sat for 38 years and only has 5200 miles on her so I know nothing is worn out, dry maybe, but not worn out. I suppose some bearings may have flat-sided though. I have VERY limited space and tools to pull the whole front end off her, too. Thanks for the reminder on the fork fluid and seals, which I'll look over when the tubes are out.

[dave500]

the old seals might not leak,they get hard though,they might leak once its been ridden a few times?off with the forks again.