1977 GS750 Fork Tube Spacer beneath Fork Seals

[BlackBearGS]

I am in the process of replacing the fork oil seals on my '77 GS750, and I accidentally nicked the inside rim of, and slightly bent the rubber coated washer/spacer that sits beneath the fork oil seal (FOS), while prying the FOS out (I thought the rubber spacer was just part of the FOS, but turns out the FOS sits on the rubber spacer).

My question is, can I just try to straighten out the rubber coated spacer as good as I can, then slap the new FOS in and reassemble? OR is it crucial the spacers are in perfect shape before reinstalling the FOS? - and if so, is there a part number for the spacer?

 

[BlackBearGS]

This might be a better photo

 

[BlackBearGS]

I'm working on the forks currently. Is it okay to use a steel washer with the same OD and ID measurements as the rubberized spacer? Thanks

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Just an opinion from a guy who's never done this so take it for what it's worth (probably not much). I'm looking forward to (have to, don't want to) pulling the forks to redo seals this winter because one is leaking a little and AFAIK they've never been done. From all of my reading, this is not a place to cut corners and try to make due with stuff from the hardware store, or to try to reuse bits that are obviously not perfect. I'm thinking you're asking for trouble in a critical handling component of your bike.

 

[hannibal]

No opinion on the spacers condition but there is a part number: 51168-30B00.

I am working on my fork seals and they are a pain to get out. Thanks for the pic showing what's below. I'm gonna try the "drill a screw into the seal" method.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Where did you buy your fork seals from? If you got them from Z1 Enterprises (https://www.z1enterprises.com/fork-seals-35x48x11.html) than you won't need that spacer as it does replace them.

 

[hannibal]

Good to know since I butchered a spacer removing the seal. I'm quite sure I didn't pry on it so my best guess is that it sticks to the seal and gets bent when prying the seal out.

My All Balls seals have the same dimensions as the Z1 seals.

 

[hannibal]

Where did you buy your fork seals from? If you got them from Z1 Enterprises (https://www.z1enterprises.com/fork-seals-35x48x11.html) than you won't need that spacer as it does replace them.

I don't think this is accurate. The OEM seals have the same depth (11mm) as the Z1 and All Balls seals. So how can the aftermarket seals replace the spacer if they're the same size as stock?

 

[hannibal]

I'm still working on this and have not found a definitive solution.

Using this diagram...
https://alpha-sports.com/spst/1978 GS750E/25.gif

#9 should be the rubber coated washer and #10 should be the metal washer. While their original part numbers are different, both have been superseded by 51168-30B00. Googling that part number shows a pic of the metal washer. My working theory is that Suzuki no longer produces the rubber coated washer and we should use 2 metal washers per fork. Without two washers, there will be space above or below the seal that would allow it to move the thickness of the missing washer.

I bought a pair of dual caliper forks and I still have my original forks. I'm going to try to get the rubber coated washers out of my original forks and use those. If I can't get them out cleanly, I'll use the metal washers from the original forks.