GS650GT fork rebuild.

[Guest]

Good evening fellas.

I am making a start on replacing my fork seals on my '85 GS650GT.

I have he manual, but I have hit a wall. I've searched everywhere (including the search function) to try and find a simple solution, so I'm hoping someones experience may help.

I'm struggling at the first step. Manual says take off rubber cap, remove retaining clip and pull out the stopper to remove the spring.
How the heck do you remove the clip?? Ive tried cir clip pliers, screwdrivers, tweezers. Please tell me there is a simple trick?

Cheers guys

[Nessism]

You need to depress the cap a little then dig the c-clip out of the groove with a small pick or similar. Having a helper makes it easier.

[Peteyboy]

Brilliant, will get my good helper to give me a hand just now.

Daft question, do I need to drain the oil from the small drain at the bottom of the fork leg first?

[Peteyboy]

All sorted, thanks Nessism. Easy when you've done it before. Cheers again pal.

[Peteyboy]

Right, forks rebuilt with new seals etc. Now for the same problem! Me and the missus have tried to use all of our weight to compress the spring to get the 'c' clip back in, to finish off the job. Either we are not strong enough to do this, or there is a special way (tool)....? Please help!

[GSX1000E]

Surprised that no one has bitten your head off yet for not posting your location and bike model/year in your sig. (someone might live close enough to help you. )
Anyhow, have you tried bolting the forks in the TT's , allowing them to fully extend with no pressure on them and then pushing down on the tubes to install the clip?

[Peteyboy]

Haha, thanks GSX, I have updated location and bikes! I'm not much of a computer person. Thanks for the advice, I will try that tonight after work, seems pretty logical!

[Peteyboy]

So easy when bolted to the TT. Thanks for your experience pal. Took me 5 minutes tonight.