Lazy option...fork seal replacement.

[upanddown22]

After supposedly having both the fork seals replaced for the MOT last year one of the fork seals is already leaking quite badly after about 1000 miles.

The seal that is gone is on the opposite leg to the brake caliper, is it feasible (or just stupid) to try and only replace this seal leaving everything else on the bike? i.e. just removing this fork leg

This is partly laziness but also desperately trying to save costs and don't have the equipment to support the bike.

Thanks
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Kawasaki GPZ500S 1995

[Kickstart]

Hi

You only need the fork leg off to replace the seal, but on many bikes you have to remove other things to get the fork leg off (ie, mudguard).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[chris-red]

If it has gone that quickly it to me suggests, poor installation, worn bushes or pitted stantions. I would check for these before replacing it again.

I'm not really sure what your question is asking you will last need to get the front end off of the ground and take the wheel/mudgaurd off.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
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WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[upanddown22]

Thanks chaps,

Keith: this stems from my previous thread about my suspension bottoming out from a while back.

Basically after working out what was going on it turned out that there wasn't any oil in the forks at all. Which really really annoyed me as the place I took it to had supposedly done both fork seals.

So I filled up the forks with oil using the tool you suggested to get the level right and immediately after riding a short distance I could tell the seal on one side was gone.

Chris: I guess I wanted to know if I did need to lift the front of the bike of the ground. As it's only one of the fork legs I was hoping to just remove that one whilst everything else is in place.
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Kawasaki GPZ500S 1995

[Kickstart]

Hi

Can't really do that. Once the wheel spindle was out of the fork to allow it to be removed the front wheel would have very little to hold it in place.

Normally the cheapest and easiest solution is some car axle stands under the front of the frame.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[upanddown22]

Cool thanks for that, i'll borrow some stands and try and give it a go myself once the seals arrive.
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Kawasaki GPZ500S 1995

[Vincent]

No doubt the MOT place used the cheapest seals they could find and probably charged you for expensive ones. Then they probably stuck them on without cleaning the forks or using cling film.There are lot of NAF seals about, it's worth using decent ones.

[Frost]

If the forks are pitted or worn, replacing the seals will result in the new ones leaking too.

I've always done the fork seal by placing a car jack under the engine in front of, and on the opposite side of the side stand. jacking it up then has the back wheel, side stand and jack on the ground giving 3 points of contact and making it stable.

Just remember to undo the nuts and bolts BEFORE you jack it up otherwise you putting force into a bolt might have the whole bike topple over!

[upanddown22]

Ay don't think i'll ever know what they did, obviously not going back there!

I think they must have known I was a complete novice as i'm pretty sure anyone with a bit of experience would have felt that the forks weren't right.

Ah well you live and learn
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Kawasaki GPZ500S 1995

[upanddown22]

[prawny1]

[upanddown22]

[Vincent]

[upanddown22]

It was these guys:

https://www.guildfordtyre.co.uk/motorcycle.php

I remember they were able to fit me in first thing on a Saturday morning whereas the other place I called were fully booked. I guess patience is a virtue!
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Kawasaki GPZ500S 1995

[Vincent]

".....South of Englands leading supplier to the specialist motorcycle market..." ....................MY ARSE

[Glenben92]

If you've got a centre stand just chuck it on there and put something heavy on the pillion seat. If not, ignore me
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57 Huoniao HN125-8 - , 97 Kawasaki GPZ500S -
99 Yamaha FZS 600 -
Mod 2 Passed - 01/10/2010

[upanddown22]

[Glenben92]

I suggest you ignore me then
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57 Huoniao HN125-8 - , 97 Kawasaki GPZ500S -
99 Yamaha FZS 600 -
Mod 2 Passed - 01/10/2010