Fork seals
- NorthernPete
- Moderator
- Posts: 3485
- Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 4:24 pm
- Real Name: Pete
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 11
- My Motorcycle: 1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
- Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Fork seals
How big of a job is it to replace fork seals? I'm not scared to try it, but if it's a doozie I may get it done at a shoot.
1988 VN1500
2009 GS500F
2009 GS500F
- NorthernPete
- Moderator
- Posts: 3485
- Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 4:24 pm
- Real Name: Pete
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 11
- My Motorcycle: 1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
- Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
- jstark47
- Site Supporter - Silver
- Posts: 3538
- Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:58 pm
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 16
- My Motorcycle: '12 Tiger 800, '03 Trophy 1200
- Location: Lumberton, NJ
Re: Fork seals
Sorry Pete, no data from me. That's something I've always paid a shop to do.
2003 Triumph Trophy 1200
2009 BMW F650GS (wife's)
2012 Triumph Tiger 800
2018 Yamaha XT250 (wife's)
2013 Kawasaki KLX250S
2009 BMW F650GS (wife's)
2012 Triumph Tiger 800
2018 Yamaha XT250 (wife's)
2013 Kawasaki KLX250S
- Johnj
- Site Supporter - Platinum
- Posts: 3806
- Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:34 am
- Real Name: Johnny Strabler
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 34
- My Motorcycle: A Bolt of Lightning
- Location: Kansas City KS
Re: Fork seals
I've done it, but it was years ago. Get a service manual because you're going to need it.
People say I'm stupid and apathetic. I don't know what that means, and I don't care.

Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
-
- Legendary 300
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2013 2:10 pm
- Real Name: Ron
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 34
- My Motorcycle: 1988 BMW R100GS
- Location: Ft. Collins, CO.
Re: Fork seals
Having read the manuals it seems like a seal driver tool is necessary and often the manual suggests using a cast-off fork leg or something like that for the job. Since I have no fork legs to spare I take the fork leg to a shop. This saves on the disassembly labor and I don't have to search high and low for something that will work (or not).
Ron
Current: 1988 BMW R100GS (the 'numberplate' model)
Past: 1987 Yamaha XT350
1983 Honda CB900F
1980 Honda XL185S
1979 Suzuki GS425E
Current: 1988 BMW R100GS (the 'numberplate' model)
Past: 1987 Yamaha XT350
1983 Honda CB900F
1980 Honda XL185S
1979 Suzuki GS425E
Re: Fork seals
Fork seals are doable yourself but I wouldn't try it without the repair manual. You can find them here https://www.clymer.com/. It makes all of your repair work much easier to do yourself.