Looking for front fork seals...

[MDR]

So I bought a 2002 GS500E last summer based on what I had read about it as a starter bike - and based a lot on what I had read on this forum (though I haven't yet posted).  I bought it from a private seller on kijiji.  This turned out to be a huge mistake the extent of which I didn't know until a few weeks ago.  I didn't have the money to insure/licence/register it right away (that shaZam! is expensive in Ontario) so it's been sitting in storage until earlier this summer when I took it to the shop to get it tuned up for the season.  At this point I was informed that the right cylinder was pretty mangled and had no compression.  The bike spent 4 weeks in the shop waiting for Suzuki to get parts out (as far as I know they were just waiting for shims...).  I get a call today saying the work on the motor is done but there are some "other issues".  The big one being that the front fork seals are leaking and the seals are on back-order.  I know I'm in store for another 3-4 week wait for Suzuki to get them out and by that time the riding season will be all but over.

I'm wondering if ANYBODY knows either of a place locally where I'd be able to find them (Kitchener, Ontario) or of somewhere online that can have them out to me quickly so that I don't need to wait for Suzuki.  I just want to ride my bike

This can serve as a warning about buying a used bike from a private seller.  Aesthetically the bike looked great and it was running (briefly) when the guy dropped it off.  But the work being done is amounting to about $2000.  I paid $3500.  $5500 for a used 2002 GS500E? 

Anyway I'd really really appreciate any help here.  I'm about to blow.

[dlighthill]

i just got a set from here:
http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TR42-9014
$5.86 not including s/h

[cboling]

That is really sad and I feel for you. On a better note, I bought some seals and dust covers (NEW) off ebay. It took a few days to get to me (because I think they came from China but in the end, I was able to replace them really easy. So far, so good but of course, I haven't had the chance to ride the bike and break them in so I am not sure how long they will last compared to some other brand. Either way, if you are a little handy, save some cash and dig out a few tools, ask lots of questions, and get some grease and dirt under your nails. It is really very easy if you know how to carefully twist a bolt. Don't be intimidated.

Sorry to hear you're spending that much.

[MDR]

i just got a set from here:
http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TR42-9014
$5.86 not including s/h

Will those fit 2002 forks?

That is really sad and I feel for you. On a better note, I bought some seals and dust covers (NEW) off ebay. It took a few days to get to me (because I think they came from China but in the end, I was able to replace them really easy. So far, so good but of course, I haven't had the chance to ride the bike and break them in so I am not sure how long they will last compared to some other brand. Either way, if you are a little handy, save some cash and dig out a few tools, ask lots of questions, and get some grease and dirt under your nails. It is really very easy if you know how to carefully twist a bolt. Don't be intimidated.

Sorry to hear you're spending that much.

I found some on ebay I just want to make sure I have the right size before buying them.  I assume these are the correct ones:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Suzuki-GS500-E-GS-500-E-1989-to-2002-models-Fork-Seals_W0QQitemZ390064265917QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item5ad1a45abd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1689|293%3A1|294%3A50

I've got the Clymer manual coming in the mail now - In the future I'll be doing basic maintenance myself but for now I just want to get on the road - and the cost to have them do it while the bike is already there is negligible considering what I've already spent hehe

[tt_four]

99% of the bike has remained unchanged since it came out in 99. I believe the forks are one of those parts that have never changed, but someone else here can verify that for sure.

That sucks that someone sold you a bike like that. When I sold my last bike it wasn't perfect, but any bike that's actually used will have issued, but that's awful that someone could sell a bike with real problems and not feel like they should tell you about them.

[dlighthill]

Will those fit 2002 forks?

yep.....89-02

i normally just use std shipping from powersport, but they're only about 180mi from me. they do offer other, more expedient shipping though.

[gsJack]

I'm not sure about the 89-00 seals fitting the 01-02 models.  Suzuki shows the same part number for 89-00 seals and a different part number for 01-02 seals.  The 01-02 forks were the first ones with the fork tube protector shields added.  Fork manufacture for 04 and later GS-F models was transferred to Spain and they have another new part number for those.

Places like Dennis Kirk and Parts Unlimited listed 89-00 seals and 04-08 seals but had none for the 01-02.  So I played it safe and got the oem seals for my 02 last winter.