how many beers to change fork seals

[nathan12]

I changed my fork seals a couple weeks ago on my 82 gs 1100 L. One of them is leaking again already.

I have a couple ideas as to why this is happening:
-The fork tubes are very slightly pitted in spots, could this allow some seapage?
-The retainer rings are not in great shape, they hold the seals in, but im guessing not perfect. Any idea on where to get some new ones??
-I screwed up and damaged the seal when installing it.
-orrr.....these bikes are prone to this sort of thing. any idears anyone...
Thanks again!

Nathan

[Steve]

The correct answer to your question: "How many beers to change fork seals?"

NONE.

If you had more than that, it might be why you are having problems now.
Save the consumption of beverages for a celebration after the job is complete.

.

[propflux01]

1. -The fork tubes are very slightly pitted in spots, could this allow some seapage?
2. -The retainer rings are not in great shape, they hold the seals in, but im guessing not perfect. Any idea on where to get some new ones??
3. -I screwed up and damaged the seal when installing it.
4. these bikes are prone to this sort of thing. any idears anyone...
Thanks again!

Nathan

1. Most likely (if your talking about the chrome sliders)
2. Possibly, but as long as they are holding the seal they should be OK
3. Another possible, but not too hard to install them if your careful.
4. No, not normally.

[salty_monk]

2 or 3 I would think... No they're not prone to it but yes pitted forks will make them leak. Doubt it would be anything to do with the retainers.

Epoxy over your "pits" & sand them back with wet & dry till smooth (or at least wet & dry the fork legs & make sure the pits have no sharp edges).

You can get some plastic down pipe (drain) that is the exact right dia for fitting the seals from Home Depot in a 2" length for a couple $$. You may have damaged it when you put it back in.

You should lubricate it with oil before you slide anything through it too...

Dan

[nathan12]

yeah, I didn't actually have any beers while changing the seals... so we can rule that one out.

I like the epoxy idea for the small pits, might try that. I did wet sand the ones that I could find with sharp edges, but maybe I missed a couple on that side. anyway, thanks.
nathan

[simon kuether]

Try getting another set of seals,lubricating them and your good self sufficiently,and installing them with newly hard chromed bits,set and forget.Pits are the pits... Cheers,Simon.

[chiphead]

Couple years back I put a set of seals in with fairly pitted forks. Got may be 2K miles out of them before they started leaking. Either replace the tubes or try the epoxy route.

[bwringer]

I've had great luck with Leak Proof Pro Moly brand fork seals on pitted forks. I ran the fork legs across my polishing wheel to knock off any sharp edges on the pits.

Just make sure you don't pound these seals in like regular seals or you'll damage them -- they're very flexible (no metal frame), so just work them in with your fingers.

Also, you can get new retaining clips from Suzuki for cheap. Highly recommended -- these commonly get corroded, and flakes of rust don't do any good in there.

I also keep a few spare bolts and copper washers for the bottom of the fork legs in case they get boogered up on the way out. They're an oddball thread you can't get anywhere else, so it's best to order these ahead of time.

[nathan12]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Happy trails.

[chef1366]

[QUOTE=bwringer;1019993]I've had great luck with Leak Proof Pro Moly brand fork seals on pitted forks. I ran the fork legs across my polishing wheel to knock off any sharp edges on the pits.

Just make sure you don't pound these seals in like regular seals or you'll damage them -- they're very flexible (no metal frame), so just work them in with your fingers.

QUOTE]
I second this. Easy peasy to install.