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Fork Seal Advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter trdhrdr007
  • Start date Start date
T

trdhrdr007

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I bought a GS850G a few months ago that had a weeping fork seal. I had to do all the usual things to it(carb rebuild, petcock, fluids, etc) so I could ride, but left the seal for a winter project. Now that it's starting to get colder I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do about the seal.

I've never fooled with suspension components other than to change out shocks. Is this a pretty straight forward job? I've heard of lifetime seals, are they worth looking into? I've got a manual, but can anyone point me to a pictorial guide like the carb rebuild guide?

It's obvious to me that at one time this bike was owned by someone that knew a lot about these bikes. The airbox had been resealed, & R/R ground wire neatly labeled & run to the battery. I guess it's possible that the fork springs were swapped out. Is there any way to identify progressive springs as opposed to stock? As long as I have it apart I am considering going with progressive springs. Any tips about where to buy, or on installation?
 
I've never seen a pictorial guide for a fork seal job. It can be a little hazardous. The spring will pop out with some force when you remove the cap. Be sure you have the cap held firmly and have fifty pounds of down force on it when the threads clear. I've heard of lifetime seals but never seen anything that would tell me they are for real. I'd be leary of them adding friction and wear as "Nessism" points out. I find Progressive springs to be a little to stiff. I'll use more air or shim the stocks as long as they are in spec.
 
Shimming the stock springs increases the ride height but not the spring rate. A cheap way to increase the spring rate is to cut some coils off the stock springs. Replace the lost coils with longer spacers cut from PVC. Works like a champ and is cheap.
 
I'm just going to give advice based on my experiences with an old honda nighthawk I had great directions on how to do the change myself. Very simple, step by step. I changed both seals. One was, well, a little drippy almost immediately. I tried again with that seal. Within two weeks, both were shot. I just dropped the tubes off for my '85 GS550ES. I'm not even trying anymore. If you take the tubes off and bring them to a shop you save yourself half the labor. Go with the shop. They will do a etter job and it will save you money frustration and mess....
 
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