Replace Fork Seals or buy new forks for $70?

[sasper]

I have an '82 GS550L whose fork seals are going to need to be replaced over the before next season. I was planning on having the work done since I don't have a ton of the tools myself, and taking apart the forks looked fairly difficult. However, I just saw a pair of good forks for a '80 GS550L whose seals were changed last summer for $70.

Would it be a good idea to buy these and swap them for my current forks? Would I be able to do the work with fairly limited tools? Or should I just take the bike to my mechanic to do the fork seal replacement? How much does that typically cost? The forks from the '80 GS550L fit exactly, right?

Thanks everyone!!

[spyug]

Buying the all ready done set would be an easy fix but.....redoing yours is not difficult just a little fiddly. You'll benefit immensely from doing it yourself, save cash, learn something new and the feeling of accomplishment when you do it yourself. Don't take it to the shop unless you don't mind throwing away some cash.

If you haven't already get a manual. Try e-bay, or the online bike stores (Dennis Kirk, Bikebandit, Z1 enterprises or the like). Read the manual over closely. Look up changing fork seals on the Internet....lots of info. Ask us all the questions you have.

If you can afford, it pick up a bike lift, well worth it for under $100.

This is definitely something you can do so don't sell yourself short.

The hardest part is likely removing the damper rod from the lower fork leg. There is one bolt in the bottom of the lower leg that holds the rod in place. It is thread locked in place. The easiest way I have found to loosen the bolt is to jam the damper rod so it won't turn ( piece of broom handle shoved in and held by your helper) and remove the bolt with a "rattle gun" (electric or compressor driven). Once it is all apart it relatively straight forward to replace the seals. I find cutting the existing seal with a dremel wheel makes it easy to pop out.

Give it a whirl. You will enjoy it I'm sure.

Just ask if you need some help.

Cheers,
Spyug.

[salty_monk]

Fork seal replacement is easy. Certainly not a lot more difficult than swapping over the fork legs!

If you have the air forks it's really simple.... you can use air to pop the seals out without taking them apart. Worked fine for me.

Dan

[sasper]

Thanks for the replies guys. I don't really have any tools (just a small set of GS-specific hand tools), so I might have to go make some friends in the Chicago-land area that work on GS's!
Off to post in the Meetingplace Forum!!

[salty_monk]

A basic metric socket set & spanner set would be about all you need to do this. I popped them out with a 20 dollar hand pump. Flush them & change the oil at the same time.

Dan

[Suzuki_Don]

If you can afford, it pick up a bike lift, well worth it for under $100.

Spybug where can I get a bike lift for under $100.

[TheCafeKid]

If you can afford, it pick up a bike lift, well worth it for under $100.

Spybug where can I get a bike lift for under $100.

Yeah me too...i dont have a center stand...and really i dont want one...but a lift would be SAWEET

[justin caise]

...I might have to go make some friends in the Chicago-land area that work on GS's!
Off to post in the Meetingplace Forum!!

Social Networking at it's finest!
I bought my little craftsman bike lift on Craigslist for like $65. Still see them there often in the bike or tools sections. Also available for top dollar ssears.
JC

[rphillips]

Hey SASPER, Buy the forks & a set of fork seals. Together they will be cheaper than a shop would replace your seals for. Install the new forks AND tinker with your old ones till you figure out the seal replacement process & get them fixed. Now you have a spare set of forks & the knowledge gained in the process.

[paco13]

RPHILLIPS suggestion seems like a good one. As long as they don't rape you on the shipping for the forks.

[TheCafeKid]

orr...i have a very clean set off a 80 750E that i thought someone else was interested in, but since has decided otherwise... very clean and very functional and NO LEAKS...PM me if you're interested...