Topic: 550 Fork checklist

[exponent]

So I got a sweet fork brace for my 550 K4, before I put it on and take the forks off I want to check which parts I'll need for a fork rebuild. A "while I'm in there" list of sorts. So far I know I need oil seals (91255-434-013 ) the top nut o ring, and the drain bolt o ring. Do I also need the piston ring and the oil stopper? Also which fork oil is recommended?
Forks are leaking a tiny bit and I have not done this job before, any info helps
Thanks!

[craz1]

If you can find the piston ring you could replace that. You will also need the 2 copper 10mm seals for the bolt at the bottom of the forks. Im not fussy on fork oil for these bikes. Just use the stated weight in the manual.

[Shtonecb500]

new copper washers, seals, and i literally just used ATF in all my forks until recently...but atf works fine. Once you start getting to the heavier weights you run into slower rebound. There are also procedures to installing fork braces, not sure if you were provided instructions or not but it usually takes a good few minutes to get right.

[exponent]

new copper washers, seals, and i literally just used ATF in all my forks until recently...but atf works fine. Once you start getting to the heavier weights you run into slower rebound. There are also procedures to installing fork braces, not sure if you were provided instructions or not but it usually takes a good few minutes to get right.

No instructions it was an ebay buy. Is there more than just sliding it into place and bolting down the clamping screws?

[Shtonecb500]

new copper washers, seals, and i literally just used ATF in all my forks until recently...but atf works fine. Once you start getting to the heavier weights you run into slower rebound. There are also procedures to installing fork braces, not sure if you were provided instructions or not but it usually takes a good few minutes to get right.

No instructions it was an ebay buy. Is there more than just sliding it into place and bolting down the clamping screws?

is it one of those period correct chopper style braces, two clamp set with two bolts?

[exponent]

new copper washers, seals, and i literally just used ATF in all my forks until recently...but atf works fine. Once you start getting to the heavier weights you run into slower rebound. There are also procedures to installing fork braces, not sure if you were provided instructions or not but it usually takes a good few minutes to get right.

No instructions it was an ebay buy. Is there more than just sliding it into place and bolting down the clamping screws?

is it one of those period correct chopper style braces, two clamp set with two bolts?

Yeah, from rustycyclerescue on ebay. Just a flat bar of aluminum with holes for the forks basically

[Shtonecb500]

new copper washers, seals, and i literally just used ATF in all my forks until recently...but atf works fine. Once you start getting to the heavier weights you run into slower rebound. There are also procedures to installing fork braces, not sure if you were provided instructions or not but it usually takes a good few minutes to get right.

No instructions it was an ebay buy. Is there more than just sliding it into place and bolting down the clamping screws?

is it one of those period correct chopper style braces, two clamp set with two bolts?

Yeah, from rustycyclerescue on ebay. Just a flat bar of aluminum with holes for the forks basically

then ignore my comment about brace install.

[seanbarney41]

new copper washers, seals, and i literally just used ATF in all my forks until recently...but atf works fine. Once you start getting to the heavier weights you run into slower rebound. There are also procedures to installing fork braces, not sure if you were provided instructions or not but it usually takes a good few minutes to get right.

No instructions it was an ebay buy. Is there more than just sliding it into place and bolting down the clamping screws?

is it one of those period correct chopper style braces, two clamp set with two bolts?

Yeah, from rustycyclerescue on ebay. Just a flat bar of aluminum with holes for the forks basically

Those are not meant for stock length forks.  They are useful only for extended length fork tubes as used on chopper style motorcycles.  If you have stock length fork tubes, all you are doing is rendering valuable fork travel length useless.  This can be dangerous!   A fork brace designed for performance must tie the sliders or lowers of your fork together and sometimes need careful adjustment so that "stiction" is not increased.

[Shtonecb500]

ya I used to use the clamp style on my bikes and all it really did was take away 1-2 inches of travel for my front end...ended up removing them....also in order to keep it high enough not to hit the top of the fender doesn't allow access to the steering lock with my key.

[exponent]

Ah thank you sean & shtone, I did not consider the fork travel and I did not consider the location either. My plan was to put it directly under the lower tree but I realize putting it there would not have as much of a stabilizing effect as I wanted.

I was thinking of how it might stick also which worried me so maybe ill forego it, it does look badass though so once my seals come in ill see how it fits and report.

[Stev-o]

We call them "tweak bars" and as Sean mentioned, used for choppas with extended forks.
Your 550 fender acts as a fork brace [if you have it installed?]

I installed this fork brace on my K3 750...