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Installing new fork seals and PS springs

Bert Patterson said:
Billy Ricks said:
Bert,
When you get things apart take a good look at the bushings. If it looks as if the teflon is in good shape and not worn through or scratched up then you can probably reuse them with no ill consequences.
Click to expand...

Cool. Thanks for all your help, man. I almost think I can do this.
Click to expand...
Bert, as Billy says, the bushings are teflon-coated metal items that help the inner and outer fork legs slide past each other. My manual says the lower, inner one (installed at the bottom of the inner, chromed leg) should be replaced at the same time as the seals. Interestingly, this bushing was in great shape on my bike, perhaps because it had been replaced when the seals were previously done by the dealership. However, the upper, outer bushing (installed near the top of the outer fork leg near the seals) showed clear signs of wear on my bike.....changing this bushing is not mentioned in my manual, so perhaps this was the original bushing from when the bike was new. Fortunately, I had both sets of bushings, which are a snap to install while you have the forks apart. I got my bushings from a local bike shop, who in turn got them from a Suziki dealership. I do remember that it took a while for all the parts (seals, bushings, dust covers, PS springs) to arrive.

Don't worry about being a lawyer.......compared to the law, motorcycle forks are simple. :D

BTW, I did write up a "procedures" MSWord document on changing the seals for my future reference. If you would like me to e-mail you a copy, send me a PM with your e-mail address.
 
Simon Waters said:
BTW, I did write up a "procedures" MSWord document on changing the seals for my future reference. If you would like me to e-mail you a copy, send me a PM with your e-mail address.
Click to expand...

I will. Thanks, Simon.
 
I think the increased wear on the upper bushing is just because of it being located near the center of the fork and is subject to more pressure. I'll have a look around and see if I saved my old ones in case yours are shot Bert. They might be the same size as yours and were only used about 5 or 6 years before being replaced. I can't guarantee I still have them or can find them. If I do run across them and you need them you are welcome to them. They fit inside the upper portion of the lower leg.
 
Billy Ricks said:
I think the increases wear on the upper bushing is just because of it being located near the center of the fork and is subject to more pressure. I'll have a look around and see if I saved my old ones in case yours are shot Bert. They might be the same size as yours and were only used about 5 or 6 years before being replaced. I can't guarantee I still have them or can find them. If I do run across them and you need them you are welcome to them. They fit inside the upper portion of the lower leg.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot - I'll let you know. I took tomorrow off work for a proper four-day weekend, the sun's supposed to be shining so I'll be working outdoors. Starting early in the morning nearly guarantees there will be no beer involved.

Have a great weekend.
 
Bert Patterson said:
Simon Waters said:
BTW, I did write up a "procedures" MSWord document on changing the seals for my future reference. If you would like me to e-mail you a copy, send me a PM with your e-mail address.
Click to expand...

I will. Thanks, Simon.
Click to expand...
Bert, I have e-mailed same to you about 4:15pm RMT. Let me know if it doesn't arrive OK.

P.S. It's good to have Billy around....he gave me the confidence to tackle my fork seals.....so far so good after 1500 miles.....of course, I'll bug him for a "refund" if problems occur in the future. :wink: :roll:
 
The bushing are still available (through RonAyers).
Looks like part numbers 51121-49500 ($7.12) and 51167-49500 ($4.99).
The fiche isn't completely clear so I'd double check the part numbers.
 
Bert, I checked and the 11-1106 was used with the 1100G model so I can't help you out with a definite yes or no on requiring a spacer. It's amazing how many bikes use the same Progressive springs as my 550. BTW you aren't the only one playing motorsickle mechanic this weekend. :cry: Much rather be ridin'...but, like they say, "ya wanna play? ya gotta pay!
 
Billy Ricks said:
They are teflon coated bushings used to minimize wear on the mating surfaces of the upper and lower tubes as the fork slides.
Click to expand...
Billy,

Is it possible that my old GS 1000 doesn’t have bushings; the manual doesn’t mention them at all.

Roman.
 
I checked the diagrams for '80 and '81 1000s and didn't see any bushings. Seems they relied on castings in the lower legs, the seals, and a piston ring on the dampers to ride on each other. The bushings help to keep from wearing out non-replaceable parts. That's probably why many of you feel you get better damping with heavier oil. As parts hone themselves the tolerances get larger.
 
I'm a little slow on this, but I just wanted to say thanks Billy, Simon, Pete, etc......

Got it all back together and everything worked fine, except it was a bitch to get the nuts off the top of the forks. Both bushings in either fork looked good, so I lucked out there. I'm keeping a rag in my tankbag to keep the bugs, etc., off the tubes.

I don't notice as much of a difference with the PS springs as I thought I would, but it wasn't bad to begin with. Maybe once I put the PS shocks on the rear I'll see more of a change.

Thanks again, folks.
 
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