Discussion
So I think I have blown a fork seal as one of the seals on the Blackbird is weeping slightly.
Is this something I should leave to a mechanic due to the time involved? It seems as if that the biggest job will be removing the forks from the bike, to replace the seals and oil.
Not sure if I really want to get that involved... but I guess I will save a few quid and have the satisfaction of doing myself.
Not sure...
Is this something I should leave to a mechanic due to the time involved? It seems as if that the biggest job will be removing the forks from the bike, to replace the seals and oil.
Not sure if I really want to get that involved... but I guess I will save a few quid and have the satisfaction of doing myself.
Not sure...
Various vids on youtube.
One of mine has gone on the ZZR.
Parts should be here early this weeks as well as a hex socket so that I can get the front wheel off.
Supporting the front of the bike (i'll probably use 2 axle stands and a tube through the fork leg that isnt coming off) and putting the new seal in looks like the hardest part.
I expect to have it done one night this week so I'll report back
One of mine has gone on the ZZR.
Parts should be here early this weeks as well as a hex socket so that I can get the front wheel off.
Supporting the front of the bike (i'll probably use 2 axle stands and a tube through the fork leg that isnt coming off) and putting the new seal in looks like the hardest part.
I expect to have it done one night this week so I'll report back
I did one on my GSXR on Saturday, it's a bit of a faff and definitely a 2 man job even with the proper tools.
To get the fork leg out, pop the bike on a rear paddock stand and use a trolley jack under the downpipes to support the front end, I also put ratchet straps around the frame spars up to the roof trusses in my garage to make sure the bike is stable from side to side and can't fall off the jack.
To get the fork leg out, pop the bike on a rear paddock stand and use a trolley jack under the downpipes to support the front end, I also put ratchet straps around the frame spars up to the roof trusses in my garage to make sure the bike is stable from side to side and can't fall off the jack.
On a related note I was sent a link to this http://sealmate.net/ the other day. Although the comment was that it should be very feasibly done with an improvised tool, even on forks that looked slightly pitted.
Seeing as you're looking to replace them anyway might be worth a go first to save the hassle.
Report back though please if you do try it, I currently don't (franticly touches wood) have any leaking seals but given the astronomical price of Suzuki's fork seals these days I'd certainly rather it worked!
Seeing as you're looking to replace them anyway might be worth a go first to save the hassle.
Report back though please if you do try it, I currently don't (franticly touches wood) have any leaking seals but given the astronomical price of Suzuki's fork seals these days I'd certainly rather it worked!
If you're comfortable removing the forks, replacing just the seal is easy
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Yes actually replacing the seals is the easy bit.
Getting the handlebars off and actually taking the forks out seems a bit of faffing about for a while.
I am lucky the bird has a centre stand, and I'll need to buy a front paddock stand.
I don't have a garage to work inside as they are full of cars... so this is a job I'll be doing on the hardstanding in my garden.
Getting the handlebars off and actually taking the forks out seems a bit of faffing about for a while.
I am lucky the bird has a centre stand, and I'll need to buy a front paddock stand.
I don't have a garage to work inside as they are full of cars... so this is a job I'll be doing on the hardstanding in my garden.
Renn Sport said:
I am lucky the bird has a centre stand, and I'll need to buy a front paddock stand.
Do you have a trolley jack? Bit of wood on the jack and lift the bike by the dowpipes, the only paddock stand which will do is one that locates onto the steering stem, i have done loads of bikes this way and its easy, getting the forks out isn't that bad on a bird, loosen the top caps whilst the forks are still clamped in the yoke, you will also need a long hex bit to undo the bolt on the fork bottoms and something to stop the internals spinning, I just use a 12v impact driver for this and it works a treat. 
Jazoli said:
Renn Sport said:
I am lucky the bird has a centre stand, and I'll need to buy a front paddock stand.
Do you have a trolley jack? Bit of wood on the jack and lift the bike by the dowpipes, the only paddock stand which will do is one that locates onto the steering stem, i have done loads of bikes this way and its easy, getting the forks out isn't that bad on a bird, loosen the top caps whilst the forks are still clamped in the yoke, you will also need a long hex bit to undo the bolt on the fork bottoms and something to stop the internals spinning, I just use a 12v impact driver for this and it works a treat. I'd also be really really careful about the centre stand folding up, after a nasty experience once of the stand folding up while the front was off the bike (thankfully the engine was out otherwise it could have been really nasty) I always cable tie or wire the stand in the 'down' position before risking taking the front off.
RizzoTheRat said:
Once you get the front wheel of they'll harly be any weight on the jack anyway, so shouldn't be an issue using a jack under the pipes.
It's not an issue, abba even sell a stand which does the same job, you can even do it off the sidestand using this method although i wouldn't necessarily recommend. 
Before you go stripping and replacing seals, it is worth trying a tip that someone on here made last year:
Get the finest feeler gauge you can find and push it down between the lip of the seal and the chrome stantion, then slowly work it round the circumference of the fork pulling it up slowly as you go.
If the weep is being caused by muck or grit trapped in the lip of the seal this might pull it out.
I was very sceptical when I first read it, but I gave it a go with a Thundercat I had that had one slightly leaky seal and it actually worked; leak cured and didn't come back in all the time I had the bike.
Possible the only bit of sound advice I have ever had in PH...
Get the finest feeler gauge you can find and push it down between the lip of the seal and the chrome stantion, then slowly work it round the circumference of the fork pulling it up slowly as you go.
If the weep is being caused by muck or grit trapped in the lip of the seal this might pull it out.
I was very sceptical when I first read it, but I gave it a go with a Thundercat I had that had one slightly leaky seal and it actually worked; leak cured and didn't come back in all the time I had the bike.
Possible the only bit of sound advice I have ever had in PH...
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