Topic: forks leak AGAIN WHY WHY...

[chippyfive50]

I have replaced my fork seals now for the second time in 2 years .  with OEM seals, and they LEAK AGAIN. I can't tell where the leak is, but my inner tubes do have some
linear wear in the chrome, is this enough to cause the leakage??,  I can almost feel it with a fingernail.
thanks..

[jaknight]

Hello Chippy,

     Sorry, but, yes - - - - - those groves are bad enough to cause oil bypass on the seals.

     Obviously, you will need to find some tubes that are smooth, blister free and rust free; from a salvage yard, Ebay, or whatever.  If you can't find a good used set somewhere......... Forks by Frank is the only outfit I know of making new tubes to Honda blueprints and specs......... if you have to go that route, be prepared........ they are expensive, about $200 smackers per set.......

     I wish you luck on finding a good used set.  The biggest thing is making sure of proper year/length/other physical (piston & valve if you will) configurations.

     I did my forks not long ago on my 750 K4 and found a good set in a motorcycle salvage yard for $50........... working great so far........

     ~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

[Killer Canary]

What year is your bike?

[chippyfive50]

What year is your bike?

It is a 71' 500 with a 75'550 motor + just about every other new or NOS part I think. 

I thought that was the case, cylcle X has  -2" for the 750 for $150.  The early 500's were a little shorte
what another $200 right...
I sent an inqury to FBF, thanks for the info!!

[bryanj]

The 71 500 were different internals, does yours have the long threaded rods that screw into the top nut or not?

[chippyfive50]

The 71 500 were different internals, does yours have the long threaded rods that screw into the top nut or not?

could you clarify that there question.....

[jaknight]

Hi chippy.

     Far be it from me to lecture or try to talk down to someone, so please bear with me on this.

     One thing that will definitely help is this;  instead of the OEM type of oil seal (a single lip on the seal), try finding and buying the seals which have a double lip arrangement on them.  They do seal much better and will stand up to any tube imperfections significantly better than the original design.  The price difference is sure worth paying.......

     ~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

[dagersh]

Jaknight,

Where do you find those double lip seals?

Thanks,

Gersh

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Don't know if this could be the case with your bike but the first time I removed fork seals I used a large screw driver to pry the old seals out. Pretty stupid but I learned. I gouged the aluminum on the tube behind the seal. I've had my 750F since 3/75 so I've done the seals a few times. My Honda brand seals are double lips as mentioned. When I last installed them I used silicone sealer around the outer perimeter just in case the gouges might have leaked from that area.

[mrbreeze]

Just for the record.....anytime you see a scratch or groove in a sealing surface...you can be pretty sure it will leak if you can feel it with your fingernail. I don't know about forks but on cars.....say wheelseals....sometimes you can get by with dressing with emory cloth. If you still feel a groove with your fingernail,it is time to speedy-sleeve or replace the part. I am not aware of any kind of speedy-sleeve for fork tubes.

[bryanj]

Clarification:-
When you undo the chrome nut at the top of the tubes is there a rod running inside the spring and  threaded into the top nut with a locknut to stop it undoing or is there just the spring.

If the first type the tubes are unique to that year and model

If the second type tubes from any later 500 (including twin) and 550 will fit

[puppytrax]

You're better off with a later set of tubes & lowers. I got a pristine set off eBay for cheap.

BTW: If you're running the OEM gaiters, it would be difficult to tell if there was any leakage. If you're running the later models with the stubby wiper (on the top of the aluminum lower leg), you can tell pretty easily if they're leaking. The top nuts are no longer available for either version. Honda has replaced the old 1-lip seals with the newer 2-lip style. Newer [76 on?] 550 (and 750)  lower legs have both legs cast for caliper mounts on both legs (lowers are shared with the CB750F, I believe), which makes it easier to add dual disks to your 500, should you desire...