Topic: CB550F Fork Tube Gouging - Seal Issue

[nathanielhartig]

I have a 1975 CB550F with leaking fork seals. The previous owner must have tried to do this same job himself at some time, because there are scratches in the wall of the tube where the fork seals are placed. What would be the best way to fill in these scratches when I go to replace the seals, so that they don't leak around the seals?

Thanks!

Eric 

[BomberMann650]

Rumor has it that superglue can fill superficial scratching.

But if the last guy to work on those forks waa that hamfisted, the seal itself could have a mark too.

Seperate and inspect.

[nathanielhartig]

Yeah, I've got new seals that I'll be replacing the existing ones with. Just want to make sure that nothing is squeezing through the seal-wall interface where the scratches/gouges are. Thanks!

[przjohn]

Replace the seals and see what you get. I recommend replacing the the tubes as a sure fire long term solution.

[DaveBarbier]

Super glue does work. And not just for superficial scratches. I did some CL200 forks a while back with heavy pitting. Zero leaks after that. Cyanoacrilate does not get affected by fork oil. Fill, let it dry and sand smooth with strips of sandpaper. I think I went from 330 to 1000.

This fork has the glue on it. You can see it's heavily pitted.

[ekpent]

 If it worked well you sure saved that one from the scrap pile.

[stereosilence]

In general, you can sand down burrs with a very fine sandpaper. Depending on the bike and the forks, sometimes rocks can pop up and nick your tubes and then cut the seals. It happened to me one time.