Topic: Fork Oil Seals

[Darren Jakal]

Hey guys,

I’m going over the front end and I am planning to rebuild the forks (take apart, clean, inspect and replace necessary parts) and I’m looking for some more guidance, this time about fork oil seals.

If you watch this video titled “Vintage Honda Motorcycle Fork Seal Replacement”:

you will see (at around the 6:00 minute mark) the author using water to hydraulically push the oil seal out of the lower fork leg (not suggesting this as a way of doing it, but  it did work so …)

Now I haven’t started taking the forks apart yet, and right now the seals show no sign of leaking, so my question is:

If you could lift a building with the existing fork oil seals would you just call it good, or would you replace them anyway because they are old (or for some other good reason that I don’t know)?

Hey, thanks again for all your help!

Cheers, Darren

Dam I thought I was in the main forum. I'll repost there and if a moderator wants to remove this post that OK (tried myself and was rejected)

[BLAC]

To me that looks like an extraordinarily over complicated way of doing it. I just used a big wide blade screw driver (with a couple tightly rolled up shop towels to prevent any damaging while prying) and they just popped out.

Are they worth replacing while they are apart? Yes.

Because:
They are probably very old.
They only cost $10/$20.
Easy job to do once you are in there.
Just because they are "hard to get out" doesn't mean they will seal against the fork tube well.

Also remember to install the new ones with 'lettering facing up' (there are some words stamped on one side of the rubber, this should be the top.  If you put them in upside down you will have to pull them back out and buy another set... ask me how I know.

This guy lacks a little finesse for my liking but the overall message is good and effective.

[BobbyR]

If you replace the seals you must mirror shine the fork tubes. Don't waste you time with other than Honda seals. I used never leak brand and in two years later they leaked.
That guy over complicated what is really a simple operation.

[strynboen]

get the thik dubbel lip sealings from david silver..the only one vho Work..mine 550 leaked a few month after i put the orginal thin Honda ones in..the thik ones fit better and leave no gap...behind the Lock clip

and forget that fzuk vay to do it.. total Waste of time..and a mess to vork that light ears and rubber holders back inn..
.just loosen the lover leg,take the umbrakko bolt in the bottom..pull Down the auter leg.(later modell s) forks..
..heat the old seal..to it almost melt..and take it easy aut..kleam all up..and fill oil inn..atf or fork oil or a mix of hydralik oil and atf..to mix your ovn viskositet..10-12 is often fine atf is abaut 8..so a bit to thin for veared forks..

thek the Photo...this orginal sold Honda seals is not perfekt..go for the david silvers

[Darren Jakal]

Hey thanks for your replies everyone.

I wasn't interested in HOW this guy got them out, rather the fact that he practically lifted a building with them before they popped out (they weren't spraying fluid everywhere before they popped).

Made me think "why change them, they seem OK to me".

Anyway, the forks are apart and I'm sure I can get the old ones out, I'm just trying to decide if it is worth it to replace them (potential to damage the fork lower getting them out, replacing them with ones that might not be that good, etc).

Cheers, Darren

[Darren Jakal]

Hey strynboen,

Is that a picture of the good seal?

David Silver looks to be OEM Honda. Is this the correct one?

Cheers, dj

[strynboen]

yes it is 13 mm heigh..so vill fill the groove.so the metal clip just fit inn
..its the same as Honda used in the erlyest bikes..then they vent to use the thinner.(less cost or generall fit).even they did aktuell, not fit so vell.and leave a gab(vho i filled vith a homemade nylon spacer)..

[Darren Jakal]

Thanks strynboen!

I'll look for the 13mm one.

cheers, dj