Fork seal life expectancy - SV650.org

RingDing · 13-07-09, 07:35 PM

I'm going to be stripping down the front end of the bike to make goos some of the rubbish finish (namely repaint the bottom yoke and fork lowers). Whilst I've got the forks apart is it worth replacing the fork seals? What's the life expectancy of the OE ones? I'm currently on 21500miles. It's not a big job to do, should they go in a couple of 1000 miles but if I can save myself an afternoon in the garage then I will.

Cheers.

Sid Squid · 13-07-09, 08:46 PM

It's good practice to replace seals whenever the forks are apart, it may seem a bit fussy when there's not previously been a problem, but considering the cost of the seals is not great it'd be a proper pain in the bum if the originals went south not long after you'd had them apart.

RingDing · 13-07-09, 09:56 PM

Thanks for the reply Sid. Pretty much what I was thinking but I was hoping someone might turn round and tell me that they should be good to 50k and not to bother!

Spanner Man · 13-07-09, 10:26 PM

Good evening.

Ditto Sids advice, as there's a fair likelyhood of damage to the seals when one knocks the forks apart.

A good tip is to rub the forks stanchions down with very fine (1200) wet & dry paper & a good lubricant. (I use a silicone lube for this purpose).
This will remove or reduce the very small imperfections that can be on an otherwise smooth looking fork stanchion, & will give your new seals a much easier life.

Cheers.

P.S. Use only genuine seals, they're a touch more expensive than pattern ones but worth it.

squirrel_hunter · 13-07-09, 11:08 PM

I got over 40,000 miles out of a set of seals. But I think its was nearer 60,000 I can't guarantee that as the first 20,000 miles the bike did were without me but I doubt they were changed.

But they were never disturbed until they blew, the bike was used daily though.

RingDing · 14-07-09, 05:25 AM

Thanks for the pointer on using genuine seals, I've learnt that lesson the hardway though and now I never use anything but.

I would have hoped that they'd last another 20k or so but I know on my GSX they went at around 25k.

13-07-09, 07:35 PM	#1
RingDing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 416	Fork seal life expectancy I'm going to be stripping down the front end of the bike to make goos some of the rubbish finish (namely repaint the bottom yoke and fork lowers). Whilst I've got the forks apart is it worth replacing the fork seals? What's the life expectancy of the OE ones? I'm currently on 21500miles. It's not a big job to do, should they go in a couple of 1000 miles but if I can save myself an afternoon in the garage then I will. Cheers. __________________ http://ridingalongwayslowly.blogspot.co.uk/ 3x Honda C110 - phut-phut-phut KTM Duke 690 - brum-braaaaaaa!!!!! BSA C25 - brum-braa-braa RD350LC Ring-ding-phut-clatter-££££££

13-07-09, 08:46 PM	#2
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Re: Fork seal life expectancy It's good practice to replace seals whenever the forks are apart, it may seem a bit fussy when there's not previously been a problem, but considering the cost of the seals is not great it'd be a proper pain in the bum if the originals went south not long after you'd had them apart. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

13-07-09, 09:56 PM	#3
RingDing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 416	Re: Fork seal life expectancy Thanks for the reply Sid. Pretty much what I was thinking but I was hoping someone might turn round and tell me that they should be good to 50k and not to bother! __________________ http://ridingalongwayslowly.blogspot.co.uk/ 3x Honda C110 - phut-phut-phut KTM Duke 690 - brum-braaaaaaa!!!!! BSA C25 - brum-braa-braa RD350LC Ring-ding-phut-clatter-££££££

13-07-09, 10:26 PM	#4
Spanner Man Member Mega Poster Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sunbury Middlesex Posts: 1,396	Re: Fork seal life expectancy Good evening. Ditto Sids advice, as there's a fair likelyhood of damage to the seals when one knocks the forks apart. A good tip is to rub the forks stanchions down with very fine (1200) wet & dry paper & a good lubricant. (I use a silicone lube for this purpose). This will remove or reduce the very small imperfections that can be on an otherwise smooth looking fork stanchion, & will give your new seals a much easier life. Cheers. P.S. Use only genuine seals, they're a touch more expensive than pattern ones but worth it. __________________ Spanner Man http://stewarts-motorcycles.co.uk/default.html

13-07-09, 11:08 PM	#5
squirrel_hunter Member Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sunny Swindon Posts: 3,579	Re: Fork seal life expectancy I got over 40,000 miles out of a set of seals. But I think its was nearer 60,000 I can't guarantee that as the first 20,000 miles the bike did were without me but I doubt they were changed. But they were never disturbed until they blew, the bike was used daily though. __________________ "A little enthusiastic?" May I add here, GG is awesome and I think I am in love with Stretchie...he rocks my world! SH2 \| 2MA \| GROM \| YSR

14-07-09, 05:25 AM	#6
RingDing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 416	Re: Fork seal life expectancy Thanks for the pointer on using genuine seals, I've learnt that lesson the hardway though and now I never use anything but. I would have hoped that they'd last another 20k or so but I know on my GSX they went at around 25k. __________________ http://ridingalongwayslowly.blogspot.co.uk/ 3x Honda C110 - phut-phut-phut KTM Duke 690 - brum-braaaaaaa!!!!! BSA C25 - brum-braa-braa RD350LC Ring-ding-phut-clatter-££££££

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