Topic: fork oil seals and dust covers - OEM vs Aftermarket

[ZanVooden]

So this past weekend took the front forks off my 78 750K to replace the fork seals and dust seals.

Went to the Honda dealer and they showed both the honda seals (fork and dust) are available - $22 for a pair of fork seals and $44 for a pair of dust seals.
They also showed me they had aftermarket seals available.

Does any one have any experience with the aftermarket seals? good? bad? stick to the honda stuff? is ebay a good option for cheaper seals?

Any help is appreciated

[Duke McDukiedook]

stick with Honda for the fork seals.
Partsnmore has fork boots for around $24.

[BobbyR]

Yes I have a 78K and I have experience with Honda and non OEM seals. I blew a seal a year after I bought my bike and I had not found this site. I bought a set of non OEM seals that would never leak. Two years later my fork was bleeding again, it starts with rings forming on the sliders and then it gets worse. This time I went to Honda and got the real deal. 3 years and no leaks or rings.
Before you put everything back together examine the tubes for any pitting or scoring. If you can feel it with your nail, it will tear up the seals again. You can polish them with very fine sandpaper wet with ATF. I used the Honda boots since it was easy. They fit very tight and wipe the crap off the tubes before it get to the seals.      

[Johnie]

OEM all the way baby!!!   

[ZanVooden]

Alright well thanks for all the replies. I ordered new OEM fork and dust seals. This will be this weekends project along with some fork slider polishing. Thanks again.