fork seals

[doug_b_51]

Hello, I now have Roadside Assistance with my insurance. I feel better now that I have it. Has anyone had to use this part of their insurance? Is there nightmares to expect or is it all good. The company is called Nation Safe Drivers. Thanks, Doug

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, E Hines wrote:

> > What seals does everyone recommend. Should I change the dust seal also? Thanks. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

Much has been written, discussed about fork seals. I bought a new-to-me bike with 'premium' (actual brand unknown) after market fork seals installed--they lasted less than 5K miles, albeit, I was on the GDR and that might have had something to do with it.... The guy who installed them was 'competent' and a long term rider/mechanic, so I don't think his installation was the problem. I will say, the aftermarket seals were at least 33% less seal (height) and required a spacer to make up the total altitude/height of the OEM seal. Less seal does not seem to me to be a grand idea. The consensus (as I understand it), is to replace with OEM--that there is none better. I did, and so far so good. Others report good to poor results with aftermarket. shrug. If I were doing it today, it would be OEM--and would wait for them if necessary. Oddly enough, I called our friend Jeff Saline to order them for me from somewhere in WY--thinking I might be days getting the seals--Rapid City Kawasaki had them in stock. You did not say, why you wanted to know about seals; are they leaking, or seeping? There is a 'first attempt' fix if the seals are not fully ruined, just gritty: try the 35mm film trick of dislodging the grit from between the seal and the fork tube. I would think liberal amounts of WD 40 to wash away what ever you might pluck out, would be useful. Perhaps others can comment. Never tried it, others have with reported good results--but it might be worth the effort before doing a tear down. IRT to the dust seals/replacement--if they had been doing their job, you would not be asking the question. wink. I think it would be appropriate to replace both, as both have seen the same combat, etc. However, I think most reuse them with good results as well. shrug. revmaaatin.