Yet another fork seal thread

[bleeble]

Just a real quick question that I haven't seen asked/answered explicitly.

Looking at the exploded view of the fork, do you guys replace numbers 5 and 22? The parts fiche calls them "tube guide" and "slide metal," respectively. They're referred to as "DU" rings in my Clymer manual, which also recommends (i.e. says Suzuki recommends) replacing them along with fork seals. Nobody really mentions them, so I'm guessing that means I don't have to spend the $40-50. [-o<

[p_s]

People do say to replace them. I did. They are teflon-coated rings that help everything slide freely.

[bwringer]

It's a good idea, but these honestly don't wear out that fast.

On my '83 GS850, one of the slide metals isn't listed on a fiche anywhere, so I couldn't order one and replace it.

When one of my fork seals finally went at 82,000 miles, I was a little worried about this part, but even after all those miles it was perfectly fine, with only very slight wear.

Most of the time, people don't bother replacing the slide metals when doing the fork seals unless a lot of dirt or other contamination made its way into the fork.



Make sure you get new snap rings, though ( # 8 ) -- these are often too corroded to re-use.

[posplayr]

83 GS1100ED forks

I just ordered the equivalent of those parts for my bike. If they were Teflon coated (thin like on a cooking pan) most of it was worn away. If I was being cheap I would not do it as I don't know how long the Teflon will last in the first place. I'm doing 25 year periodic maintenance on my ED so new parts are going in on anything like this.

If you don't you will probably get a little extra wear and resistance in the tube. The thing is bathed in oil so I'm not sure you will notice the difference anyway. At this point the cost is a drop in the bucket to me and to avoid any lingering doubts I'm replacing. It is probably discretionary replacement (assuming the parts you pulled out look good otherwise).

Posplayr

P.S. below if the fork stuff I just ordered from Flatout about $100 total....

PRODUCT INFORMATION:
Mfg Product Number: 51153-08C20
Description: .SEAL, OIL for 1983 Suzuki GS1100E,ES 1982-1983 Order Quantity: 2 Unit Price: $9.44 Total Cost: $18.88

Mfg Product Number: 51167-01D00
Description: .METAL, SLIDE for 1983 Suzuki GS1100E,ES 1982-1983 Order Quantity: 2 Unit Price: $5.65 Total Cost: $11.30

Mfg Product Number: 51121-49510
Description: ..PISTON for 1983 Suzuki GS1100E,ES 1982-1983 Order Quantity: 2 Unit Price: $8.18 Total Cost: $16.36

Mfg Product Number: 09280-22011
Description: O RING,FORK SPR for 1983 Suzuki GS1100E,ES 1982-1983 Order Quantity: 2 Unit Price: $1.01 Total Cost: $2.02

Mfg Product Number: 51189-49300
Description: .CAP, RUBBER for 1983 Suzuki GS1100E,ES 1982-1983 Order Quantity: 2 Unit Price: $3.44 Total Cost: $6.88

Mfg Product Number: 51123-45420
Description: .WASHER for 1983 Suzuki GS1100E,ES 1982-1983 Order Quantity: 2 Unit Price: $1.34 Total Cost: $2.68

Mfg Product Number: 51125-45420
Description: .SPRING, LEAF for 1983 Suzuki GS1100E,ES 1982-1983 Order Quantity: 4 Unit Price: $1.34 Total Cost: $5.36

Mfg Product Number: 51196-49000
Description: ..PISTON RING for 1983 Suzuki GS1100E,ES 1982-1983 Order Quantity: 2 Unit Price: $3.44 Total Cost: $6.88

Mfg Product Number: 51173-49002
Description: .DUST SEAL for 1983 Suzuki GS1100E,ES 1982-1983 Order Quantity: 2 Unit Price: $7.91 Total Cost: $15.82

Mfg Product Number: 51183-03010
Description: .GASKET for 1983 Suzuki GS1100E,ES 1982-1983 Order Quantity: 2 Unit Price: $0.99 Total Cost: $1.98

Mfg Product Number: 09280-12012
Description: O RING (D:2.4,ID:11.8) for 1983 Suzuki GS1100E,ES 1982-1983 Order Quantity: 4 Unit Price: $2.04 Total Cost: $8.16