My front forks leak like crazy. I hav'nt been riding for a while due to an accident, but even just standing there is a puddle of oil on the floor. The tubes do have a few nicks on them but I polished them up when I rebuilt the bike so while I know that may cause the seals to leak I cant imagine it being so bad. Which brings me to my question. I read on the VFR forum that if the bushes are shot (the nylon-like ones on the bottom of the tubes?) that can subject the seals to unneccesary stress and cause them to leak. Anybody have any experience of this and should I try new bushes and seals before going to the expense of having the tubes rechromed? Thanks. ps-yes, I'm a cheapskate.

If you are cheap then getting them re chrome likely isn't an option.

There was a set on ebay that just ended yesterday for 80 (surprisingly they didn't sell)

Adidasguy was selling some, some time back I think or I know he was offering to rebuild them.

I'm sure he will chime in but you can always shoot him a message in the meantime

Might as well replace the bushes and seals; take good photos, write it up and put it in the wiki. Rechroming is a waste of time and money; unless you have the fork tubes de-plated, re-polished, and re-chromed, you'd be better off just flushing your cash down the toilet.

Rebuild your forks (IF the tubes are still useable) or replace them and be done with this. I'm a notorious cheapskate (it helps to have no income), and I wouldn't be bothered trying to rechrome GS fork tubes for free.

Up to you now; let's hope adidasguy (our parts-whore-in-residence) sees this thread and replies soon. I have no doubt he can hook you up with a nice set of forks ready to for installation if you decide not to rebuild what you have on hand.

One last note; you could keep your old forks, or ship them to adidasguy so any useable parts get recycled for future use instead of letting them sit and rot somewhere.

You told us you've already rebuilt the bike; fixing this problem won't take long at all, but rechroming is neither the best nor the cheapest solution.

Just remembered that stafebak has a set of forks that might be EXACTLY what you're looking for:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=62061.0

"Forks with .85 k/g Racetech springs, these are rated for around a 170 lbs rider I believe. This is a mini project for someone.  The forks they're in right now, one tube is slightly tweaked.  I however have an extra tube to include with it that is straight. All you have to do is transplant. Looking to give someone a pretty good deal on this.  150 shipped for the set I think is fair."

He's in MN and according to legend, ships quickly. If you don't like the price, make him a counter-offer; Racetech springs are top of the line. If you don't want them, you could always sell them to someone else here and recoup some of your investment.

Something to think about... buying and selling motorcycle parts online; what a country!

Thanks guys. Unfortunately being out in South Africa makes buying things from overseas a bit of a mission regarding shipping/duties ect. And the 2 breakers that we have in my town want a fortune for parts if they even have them.
Thanks for the heads-up regarding re-chroming though, I always thought that to be the best solution.

if they weren't leaking before and started leaking after a period of non-use they may stop leaking after a little bit of soaking in the now spilling oil. I just experienced this on a hawk gt and ninja 250 that were sitting for a while(approx a year) and started leaking when I moved them. They stopped leaking after a couple of days. Its been a few thousand miles since and I am keeping my fingers crossed.

If you are lucky and they stop leaking you will still have to refill/reset the oil to the right level.  If the scuffs/ nicks aren't too bad its worth trying a new set of seals(and bushings if they are worn) imo. The seals may not last as long as with a perfect set of tubes but they will probably last as long as the service interval for fork oil.

Quote from: bryan88 on October 18, 2012, 09:35:52 PM
Thanks guys. Unfortunately being out in South Africa makes buying things from overseas a bit of a mission regarding shipping/duties ect. And the 2 breakers that we have in my town want a fortune for parts if they even have them.
Thanks for the heads-up regarding re-chroming though, I always thought that to be the best solution.

Too bad so far away.
I've been rebuilding forks. I have a couple extra sets (more than shown here). How I have so many I do not know. parts seem to multiply when I'm not looking. These are draining out the old oil before seals are replaced.


Maybe: You could send me forks and I can send back rebuilt (better) ones. Maybe "returned goods" would avoid customs? Maybe no customs if sending them here "for repair"?

I bought a limited edition adidas BMX bike in Germany (only 80 made). It surprised me to pay no customs because it was "returned goods" because the bike was by Kappa (in Michigan, now out of business as I found) and made in the USA! Surprise! No import fees! Returned goods!

I wish that were so RickM but they were leaking before, in fact it was so bad they used to ruin my jeans
Addidasguy, I'm in the process of trying to source parts for my crashed VFR so I will know better what the story is with importing parts from overseas then, so thanks for the offer, I may yet take you up on that in the future.
As I said, I'm still recovering from my accident so won't be riding for the next while anyway, just wanted some clarity regarding the bushes issue.

Check with Tok Tokkie on vfrdiscussion.com ~ he lives in South Africa and I've sent him stuff from Canada before ~ maybe he can help you find a way to ship stuff from here or the U.S.

Quote from: bryan88 on October 19, 2012, 05:08:03 AM
I wish that were so RickM but they were leaking before, in fact it was so bad they used to ruin my jeans
Addidasguy, I'm in the process of trying to source parts for my crashed VFR so I will know better what the story is with importing parts from overseas then, so thanks for the offer, I may yet take you up on that in the future.
As I said, I'm still recovering from my accident so won't be riding for the next while anyway, just wanted some clarity regarding the bushes issue.

Bummer. What I said about the forks was a big maybe.  Patience is a virtue. Since you have time eventually something can be figured out. For the bushing the test is to see if the if there is play between the tubes and legs. That and you look at the bushings(once removed) to see if the anti stiction coating is worn off. If oem parts don't cost much more over there than here  and you are in doubt I would just replace the bushings as well considering the time, and cost of fluids , seals etc to redo the forks again. I am not sure how much they cost for the GS. The last bike I replaced the bushings was my '94 VFR. It was only $10 each.

Or maybe you can try to find forks from another bike locally that would be n upgrade for the GS. That's still going to run you more money by the time you get the corect rate springs etc. But you might feel like getting a better value!
I recently picked up a f4i front end for $120, I sold a set of gs500 forks last year for $150. you can make supply and demand work for you .
What year VFR parts are you looking for. I know a guy(bought my CB-1 from him) in Reno who buys vfr parts bikes(usually 3rd gen and 4th gen) for the swing arm and usually sells other parts for much cheaper than the breakers. That reminds me, I need to contact him to see if he has a set of grab bars for my 4th gen.

Thanks Safe-T, I will try and get hold of him
RickM, mine VFR is also a 4th gen (1995 model) and I'm looking for a set of forks, oil cooler and a headlight (the usual front-end smash stuff :-( ) That is what I need to get her mobile again. The upper fairing took a beating but I will repair/replace that at a later date. If you could check with your guy that would be great, thanks.

If you have to replace the front forks anyway, why not look at CBR929/954, RC51, R1 or CBR1000RR forks ? Probably more plentiful than '94-'97 VFR750 forks these days. '90-'93 VFR750 forks might also be an option, along with CBR600F4/F4i forks ~ there is a ton of information over on vfrdiscussion.com and a good bunch of dedicated 4th gen VFR owners who may be able to assist you

Yes, I have thought about that, and have spent a lot of time on VFRD. My only concern is that it becomes a money pit where I find I end up having to source/change parts I didn't anticipate (discs, master cylinder, triples ect) AFTER I have spent a fortune on the forks. As you probably have experienced often these things aren't as easy as they first appear, so just bolting on the right parts is my first option. I have a line on a set of forks and oil cooler from the UK and the shipping isn't too horrendous so I'm waiting on that. I'm also in the category that was happy with the stock set-up on the VFR and probably never took the bike past 50% of its capabilities anyway (I know its a case of "your only happy because you don't know anything different" though) You do however make a very valid point and I appreciate the input, thanks.
As an aside, the external fixator that is bolted to my arm may be coming off tomorrow so I'm looking forward to getting my life back!

holy crap! ouch!

I have a 5th gen now but had a 4th gen I was going to rebuild ~ turned out to be more work than I wanted so I sold it but I liked it more than my '99 ~ smaller, lighter and more compact. And the 4th gen motor sounds better ~ the 5th gen engine has the cam gear drive on one side instead of up the centre ~ it's way loud, and probably why Honda ditched it on the 6th gen.

Ironically, I've spent so many years riding The Pace that I barely use the brakes anymore at speed ~ makes having better brakes a moot point.

The 320mm full-floating Ducati 748R rotors up front have lots of whoa-power, but the Ducati rotor and caliper out back will barely keep the bike from rolling backwards for a hill start LOL

Quote from: SAFE-T on November 07, 2012, 01:17:30 PM
The 320mm full-floating Ducati 748R rotors up front have lots of whoa-power, but the Ducati rotor and caliper out back will barely keep the bike from rolling backwards for a hill start LOL

Sounds like the cable operated front drum brake on my SR250, on a hill you can literally pull the lever till it touches the bars and it will still roll back. Going forward it isn't much better! 
I've heard so many people say how they regret selling their 4th gens, which is why I'm reluctant to throw in the towel with mine just yet (that and the fact that I can't afford another bike)