how difficult to change fork seals?

[facio57]

hey all, i was just wondering how difficult it is to change out fork seals and the parts that i would need.  is it something i can diy or should i take to a mechanic? also, would this be a good time to swap the springs for some progressives?  thanks!

~facio

[treybrad]

Take a look at this page:

http://www.geocities.com/inline_four/team_smelly/diy/fork_seals/

Look like something you can do? It's pretty easy.. I've done mine quite a few times b/c I managed to get a ding in one of my forks and didn't notice. I can do it in less than an hour now that I know exactly what I'm doing, but I'd set aside 3-4 hrs for the 1st time.

Just make sure you have everything you need.. PVC pipe, maybe the tool to loosen the bottom nut, etc... search around here, you'll find TONS of info. Plus, if you run into a problem, you can always jump on here and get the answer...

If you have the tools and the time, do it yourself. I hate paying people to do stuff I can do with a little research.

trey

[stephan]

Ditto to what treybrad said.  It's pretty easy to do.  The hardest thing is getting the bolt at the bottom of the fork seal loose.  I ended up using kerry's idea with two huge bolts and a coupler between them.  I'm sure you can find the info if you do a search.

The bonus to the whole thing?  You get to see your GS's front end in peices and it makes you feel like a "bad mammajamma".   That is, just as long as you can get it back together.  Oh and watch out for the bolts that hold the fender to the fork seperater plate.  Chances are they're rusted on and you'll have to get knew ones.

And finally having a Haynes or Clymer manual would probably help.

Good luck!  

[Kerry]

I ended up using kerry's idea with two huge bolts and a coupler between them.  I'm sure you can find the info if you do a search.

Or you can let Kerry find it for you    It wasn't originally my idea - I would never have thought of it myself.  But the variant configuration in that thread was my idea.  So I take full credit ... for ripping off someone else's.  :mrgreen:

PS - Yes, this would be the IDEAL time to put in Progressive springs.

[facio57]

thanks a lot guys i appreciate the succinct info.  i will give it a shot this weekend, the weak suspension just has to go!

~facio

[Blueknyt]

i belive my fork seal write up is still up there, isnt it? :dunno:

[Kerry]

Yep, right there in the FAQ forum.  Yesterday davipu prompted me to add a couple of (hopefully) helpful bits of info following your writeup.