Topic: 2nd opinion needed

[Tim2005]

Hi all, 2nd opinion needed please - (a) would you consider these fork tubes to be in very good/excellent condition (b) do you think there's any chance of fitting and using these without the fork seals leaking?

I'm rather sure I know the answers, but would welcome confirmation, before I go to Paypal for a refund...

(photo with the springs is from the seller's advert, the other photo is mine after receiving them).

Many thanks

[Mark K]

Opinions are subjective (obviously) and what looks good to me, might be crap to the more experienced eyes of veteran members here. My '73 fork tubes were extremely rusted and unusable, so I ordered new ones from somewhere, just looked for the receipt and cannot find it. But buying new fork tubes was worth the money in my case.

How bad/deep is the pitting? (Or at least that's what it looks like from your picture)  I'd think if the pitting isn't very deep, new seals should keep the leaking to a minimum. But how much leaking are you willing to accept? Hard to say without being able to see them in real life.

[RAFster122s]

I would bet they will leak a bit. That fluid on the tube will attract dust or dirt and that will cause scratching or wear. How fast it wears depends upon a lot of factors.

I take it you bought these 2nd hand and feel they don't measure up to expectations of how they were described. I wouldn't want to get these if I was lead to believe they were in excellent condition, they clearly are not.

[C317414]

I have rebuilt many front suspensions, and would not use those fork tubes.

[WideAWAKE]

If those pits are in the seal area you may have some problems (if they are actually pits and not just deposits on the surface that can be cleansed off).

If they were on a bike I had I’d give em a shot(depending on the depth of the build) if I paid good money for em… ehhhh

[BenelliSEI]

Not good. Replace......

[bryanj]

Not as described, should have been usable with work.
It is possible to make the leak free for a time but they definately aint excellant

[newday777]

Tim2005-
So did the seller only post the one picture in the ad? I can see in the ad picture the difference in scheen and that indicates worn off chrome.

Not good. Replace......

Agreed.

[RAFster122s]

They don’t look like the same tubes to me and have something on them to dull down the finish overall, softening the focus maybe. Or a paste applied to mute the details. Whereas your photo clearly shows a band where the fork boots or seals rested on the tubes, etc.

I definitely agree that they aren’t good and definitely aren’t excellent.
Springs look good though if they measure out to proper free lengths.
But, original springs are likely shot as far as function and new progressive or straight rate springs would be better.

[MauiK3]

Yep, leakers.

[Tim2005]

Tim2005-
So did the seller only post the one picture in the ad? I can see in the ad picture the difference in scheen and that indicates worn off chrome.

Hi newday, there were 3 pics in total, see below, but nothing suggested the degree of pitting to me.

Thanks everyone else for your comments too.

[newday777]

Sounds like you have a shady ebay seller to deal with. Did you file a complaint?

[HondaMan]

The pitting is the bad part: I have seen them with worn chrome that worked fine.
The pitting, as it moves below/above the seal, both "sands" the seals away pretty quickly, and 'pumps' oil out of the lowers, making a mess.

[PeWe]

The flaming chrome look on those photos look like worn tubes for me.

Springs like selling old used internal chains, probably crap.
Could have been ok if progressive.

If CB750 with 341 lowers, use progressive springs like Wirth or Progressive 482 mm long. Without spacers. (Even 3mm washer in top make it bad, tried that.)
SAE 10 oil, 175cc in each when replacing old oil completely drained and fork pumped it out.

Fill a completely dry fork might need more. I have verified with totally collapsed fork without springs, 160mm from top. Last time measured when changing.