Fork seals

Jayy · Mr. Ponzi Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Karma :

Looks like I've popped the front right fork seal as there's oil all over the place.

Question is, what sort of labour time should I be looking at to have them replace and re-oiled?

Been told fork seals are £13 for a pair and fork oil about £12. I was only quoted off one place but he said £90 if I give him the forks or £140 if I give him the bike.

Going to ring round a few places tomorrow but just wanted a rough idea of what I should be paying?

0ddball · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

I'd ask what seals they are going to use. Genuine are usually only a couple of quid more than aftermarket and seem to last much longer.
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ZXR750L

andym · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Karma :

why not have a bash at fitting them yourself?

Even if you mess it up the first time, the money you save on labour will be enough to have several attempts yourself Thumbs Up

Conon · Scooby Slapper Joined: 05 Apr 2011 Karma :

Just got mine done yesterday, stripped them off bike myself. Cost was £60 with genuine Honda parts.

phonesurgeon · Nova Slayer Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

Have a bash at it yourself...
You will save a lot of money and it'll give you a better understanding of suspensions(well maybe!)

I ve just done mine, on a bike that was never meant for the UK market (yes it is an import) and been out of production since 1996!

8quid for the seals and 1o quid for the oil half a day messing around... and 3 cuppas later my forks are back on bike!

Oh just as suggestion use some old clothes, the old fork oil stink something unbelievable!

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Nice bike, upside down forks..

Im wary of doing mine as I'm unsure if previous owner put heavier oil than stated in there, wrong amount etc... So im doing both.

I would drop into a shop, they only wanted £100 for both forks IF I got them just the forks.

£130 if they had the bike.

Depends how handy you are Thumbs Up

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

13 quid for a pair? damn that's cheap!
I'd say getting the forks off is the hardest part tbh.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

USD forks so likely to be a git of a job compare to normal forks. Looking at the diagram though it might not be that difficult. Worth getting a manual.

That said a fairly new bike so nothing should have seized up much (last time I did them on the ZZR, the seal on one leg was a nightmare to get out and landed up needing a lot of heat).

Oil is pretty cheap and OE seals are pretty cheap (£13.49 each listed on the fiche on the Cornwall Kawasaki site - that might be plus vat).

All the best

Keith
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Pop the dust cover off, shove a thin bit of plastic or a feeler gauge up between the seal and the fork, work it all the way around, and see if that sorts it. 5 minutes and £0 to try it.
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TUG · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2007 Karma :

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

1% of the time it works EVERY time. Laughing

Reid · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 24 Jan 2011 Karma :

Just did fork seals for the first time today on a CG125. Took me the afternoon but well worth it. It's not particularly difficult, just time consuming (which is what you pay for at a garage). If you think your time is worth more than a mechanic's, pay him. If not, do it yourself. Worst case scenario, you give your local garage a half-done job, they giggle for a minute and then fix it for you and you're on your way

edit: youtube and Haynes are your friends

Raffles · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Karma :

Unless you are reasonably competent spanner wise then you should not attempt to tackle USD forks. Even if you have the benefit of a workshop manual you will still spend a hell of a lot of time scratching your head. The cost of decent quality seals and oil will be in the region of £40 and you will also have to purchase or fabricate a tool to install the bushes and seals. You will not enjoy the experience, even if you do successfully complete the task.
Just pay the £90 and smile.
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A good loser will always be a loser.

Jayy · Mr. Ponzi Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Karma :

Hmmm, I'm thinking this is going to be a bitch to do, even with TUG helping. Whip the forks off and pay the £90?

I felt something wierd going on over the past week, felt like the brakes were crunching or something was slipping but didn't know what it was, now I know it was the forks.

Lucky I spotted it too as there was oil all over the tyre and brake disc.