Fork seals.. how tricky?

[upsidedownmark]

Commuter bike (ER6) is spreading a nice film of oil up one fork leg so I had a look - the outer rubber parts are in a pretty bad state..

So, aside from the logistical challenge of pulling the forks out, how technical is it to replace the seals (and presumably the oil while I'm at it)? They're fairly low end non-adjustable forks, so I presume popping the circlips off, pulling everything out, replace rubber bits and shove back together. However I see/hear much discussion about air gap and other technicalities, so maybe a bit more involved?

Cheers.

[Renn Sport]

There is a how to video by Del' Boys Garage on this. Look it up its pretty straight forward.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&...

However... can you be arsed?

[Hooli]

Easy, you just need a tool to hold the cartridge when you undo them. I made my own to match my forks from a bit of tube.

[moanthebairns]

if you have the tool to hold the fork very, but I didn't, and no amount of trying like a bear would remove that bottom bolt.

I instead whip them off the bike and get them done for £73, by a guy who does nothing but suspension. By the time I have bought the seals and oil, it costs me something like £35. Worth it IMO. I'd like to do it, but at that price its a job I'm happy to see go elsewhere.

[upsidedownmark]

Thanks. Can I be arsed depends very much upon how much it costs to get someone else to do it..

Strongly suspect that 73 quid in MTB land might be about double that darn sarf, but if that was all it cost, definitely

Edited by upsidedownmark on Tuesday 28th July 12:57

[Jonjo91]

upsidedownmark said:

Thanks. Can I be arsed depends very much upon how much it costs to get someone else to do it..

Strongly suspect that 73 quid in MTB land might be about double that darn sarf, but if that was all it cost, definitely

Edited by upsidedownmark on Tuesday 28th July 12:57

You won't (Shouldn't) pay more than 100.
I've had them done before for 80 if forks off the bike. 130 if on bike.

[gareth_r]

The ER6 forum (assuming there is one) will probably tell you what "special tool" you need to hold the internals while you remove the bottom bolt (apparently it's a length of 20mm square tube/bar for my Triumph).

However, you may not want to risk completely mullering the bolt head because you don't have an impact gun to shock it free.

If you remove the fork legs, set the preload adjusters (if fitted) to minimum and crack the top nuts before loosening the yoke clamp bolts.

[3200gt]

Take them off the bike. remove every thing you can then take them down the local dealers and give them a sob story you can't undo the bottom bolt. My local dealer loosened them for nothing. Once loose, its a easy job as long as you have a big enough socket/something to use as a drift to get the new ones back in straight.

[Wedg1e]

Purity14 said:

I can't believe you go throwing your money about like that, Have you renounced your Scottish ways?

Have you visited Scotland lately? The entire population of Aberfoyle turned out a couple of weeks ago to watch a Tom Jones tribute act; think how much you could charge to let people watch you strip fork legs

[Renn Sport]

Jonjo91 said:

upsidedownmark said:

Thanks. Can I be arsed depends very much upon how much it costs to get someone else to do it..

Strongly suspect that 73 quid in MTB land might be about double that darn sarf, but if that was all it cost, definitely

Edited by upsidedownmark on Tuesday 28th July 12:57

You won't (Shouldn't) pay more than 100.
I've had them done before for 80 if forks off the bike. 130 if on bike.

Mate seriously just do this. If you phone about you might get away with an hours effort and the parts which about what MTB quoted. A £100 for a sorted job is worth it to avoid the hassle.

Call around first. Hope you get it sorted.

[upsidedownmark]

Cheers all - will do that.

[Ilovejapcrap]

Renn Sport said:

There is a how to video by Del' Boys Garage on this. Look it up its pretty straight forward.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&...

However... can you be arsed?

Bloody good little video that