Suspension - Fork Seal Tool - What have you used ?

[tone]

Alright Guys

Im about to embark on a weekend of Bike repair and one of the jobs I have to do is the Fork Seals.

I read in one thread that people have used modified mastic tubes etc but does anyone have any other tried and tested solutions to enable me to drive in the oil seals with better results ?

Also, the local Garage where I get my MOTs has quoted £60 to do both Forks for seals etc. ( I have already bought the seals and dust covers, he will do the work and provide the oil ) Does that sound fair ?

Id like to do the job myself but thinking hard about the hassles involves with taking the tubes apart, fitting the seals etc and that £60 might be worth it.

Cheers
Tone

[teejayexc]

It's not a difficult job to do if you take your time and work methodically (sp), have a look here;

diversionclub.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=techarticles&action=display&thread=3815


Can't remember if yours is a D6 or a D9 , but the procedures more or less the same, there was one on fitting progressive springs to a D9 somewhere but I'm 'buggered if I can find it.

Takes a couple of hours all told, so I guess £60 wouldn't be such a hit, but you don't get that same warm glow as having done it yourself.

Good luck, trev

[amorti]

haven't had to do them on the D6, but on my old cb-1 and my cbr900rr I have used spare clip-ons or top yokes.

[CD]

£60 sounds fair to me. Though I do my own bike work partly because by the time I've gone to the garage twice (to take bike & later collect it) I might as well do it myself.

[tone]

Cheers Guys, You get the best service from this fourm without doubt !

Ended up persuading myself to do them and was very pleased and all glowy inside once finished. If I hadnt buggered one of the seal clips taking it out, I would have them back together again by now but will now have to wait until Tuesday. Bah.

Anyway, I ended up buying a 2m section of 40mm Waste Pipe from B&Q for £2, I chopped off around 700mm of the pipe and then split it down the middle with the Dremel. It was then perfect for sliding down to seat the bushing and the bearing. Magic !

I also made a nifty tool for holding the damper rod from a B&Q 1 1/2" plumbing stop end bolted onto a 3' extension pole from a window cleaning squegee. Held the rod perfectly while I took the bolt out.

Now a happy man enjoying a very happy beer or two.

Cheers
Tone

[CD]

Top job ;D

Forgot to mention that stubborn seals can be shifted using a self tapping screw...
Drill the top of the seal (carefully) and screw in the screw. You now have something to pull for extracting the seal.

[tone]

The seals came out pretty easily which just goes to show how worn they were but its worth noting for the future.

I also had to use the ' Araldite filling of pit holes ' too in the fork stanchions. They werent too bad but there were a few obvious pit marks around the seal and dust cover section of the stanchion. I ended up using the Araldite Metal-Weld type epoxy smeared on then sanded back with 600 W&D. Quite a consuming job getting the sanding down to the smoothest finish but incredibly worth it as you can see the pits in the forks but cant feel them.

Another top forum tip which paid off.

Fork Clips should arrive tonight so can get them finished hopefully. New back tyre due today also so will get that fitted this week and hopefully MOTd again next week. Ahhh, just in time for winter !

Cheers
Tone

[teejayexc]

Cool, another job well done.

I see you're also learning the art of bodging something to do the job with, we'll make another M40man of you yet

[tone]

Haha

Ill get a photo of the 'Tool' up on here at the weekend. Just to show what can be done with the basics. I must have looked a bit mental though in Homebase measuring up the plumbing supplies like some sort of day release patient !

Well worth it though !
Tone