Bike still in pieces

[Guest]

Well, I'm starting week 5 of not being on a bike. Getting pi55ed, but getting over it. Started with Progressive springs for the fork, so why not do it right; pulled the forks to install seals and new oil. I got a set of seals, but jucky me, wrong size! So I ordered another set, and sprung for new dust seals (I only want to do this once) and tapered roller bearings. While I sitting dead in the water, I pulled the clutch cover, stripped the lousy paint and polished it, and installed new clutch springs. Got my second set of fork seals, and they are Wrong again. Son of a bi*ch! So it's a week and a day today from ordering what I hope will be the right size seals, and the mail comes, and no seals. I'm sick of it, but at least the rest of the stuff is done. And I scored a fork brace in a fortuitous trade (thanks again Josh!), so this will make it as tight as it can be. Patience. I think I need a girlfriend.

[Dogma]

Well, you're not riding it anyhow. Take the seal out of the fork and take it to the local industrial hydraulic seals supplier. They may have something compatible in stock, or they have a warehouse nearby that has it. No fooling with botched part numbers, they'll get it by size and design parameters. They might even have three brought in for you to look at. Worth a try anyhow.

[duaneage]

Not to salt the wound but these types of projects are best done in January. Focus on getting it back together without any more improvements until you can shake out any issues.

Project creep is a real danger when you start fixing things. When I got my Yamaha I just tore it down day one rather than try to nickle and dime it. Two months later I started the engine again.

[tkent02]

Dude, it's just a fork! Slap it together and ride the leaky old thing until the correct parts get there. It's what, an hour's work to get together from where you are now?
I heard you guys in Ohio can't ride much in Winter, so you should ride it now.

[crapwacker]

F it. I ran down to the Iron Pony, bought some seals that fit, but were thicker than the OEM. The clip still fit, and they aren't going anywhere inside there anyhow. It's going back together today. Bought a new helmet as well.

[duaneage]

I got tired of waiting for stuff to show up in the mail and just bought parts locally. I call around first and usually I can get close to what on line outfits want for stuff. When the local shops don't have stock, then there is little choice but to order on line. But my dealer can get parts reliably in about 4 days. They even matched an on line price on a CV joint for an ATV, a 350 dollar deal. If you are going for a large order ask if they can match the internet, can't hurt. And by supporting local business you keep them around.

Nothing irks me more about this process than paying for something on line when they claim to have it only to see it backordered or wait 2 weeks for it to arrive. It's obvious at that point they were out but claimed to have an item so as to get your business. And they all do this sooner or later.