CBR600 F3 Fork Seal change

[Nick 50]

So my CBR needs the fork seals doing.

I have never done these before, but have found a decent youtube guide for the F4i model.

The issue I have is, any clues on holding the bike up??

I generally do maintenance on my bikes on a paved area in the back garden. But with the F3 I can't use a headstock stand as the ram air box is in the way.

The other option is suspending the front of the bike from the ceiling of my rented garage. But looking at the roof, i'm not positive it would take the weight.

Next option would be centre-stand and weight the back end down lifting the front up. Would this work and would I have enough clearance to get the forks out?

Last option is take it to a garage, but does anyone have an idea how much this would cost?

Also, is attempting this myself a wise move for a novice?
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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[Casper]

Get one of these

https://www.fasty.co.uk/straps/prod200/FS186_01G.jpg

Make two solid anchor points on the ground, one each side of the rear of the bike and strap it down. Shop around as you can pick one up for a few quid. You dont need the big 4" wide one.

I did my fork seals for the first time last week but i have a naked bike so propping up the front was easy. Just take note of what and how parts come out, it was quite easy.

[Nick 50]

Cheers 1888.

Found these on fleabay:

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200705219113#ht_1286wt_1163

Pulling load is rated to 100kg which should be ok, do you think?
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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[U_W v2.0]

brought one of those ones in red.

it'll do for holding ur back end down no problems
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BCF's biggest cunt list: Cansa, Pits, Rob

[Nick 50]

That's great, cheers gents.

Will nip up the treasure trove DIY shop up the road when it opens.

A much cheaper alternative to the headstock stand anyway
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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[Nick 50]

Another quick query, do i need to buy a Fork Seal Driver? Or is there a cheaper, yet effective way round it?
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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[Serendipity]

This was my 1994 CBR600FR, roughly equivalent to an F2.

https://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd227/serendipity_uk/CBR600FR/IMGP7460.jpg

Heavy tool case on the rear rack and a small bottle jack under the sump for safety. Once the wheel and forks are out the balance is way over the back anyway. Plenty of clearance to slide the forks in and out.

I didn’t buy a seal driver, but used a piece of plastic tubing. I wish I had purchased the seal driver so that’s not a bad idea.

My biggest problem was getting the old seal out of one of the forks, but it was pretty corroded. Yours may not be so bad.

Got them done in the end, but it was a significant amount of effort.
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2016 CBF1000F - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation

[garth]

Biggest Disklock EVAR.

[Nick 50]

Cheers Serendipity.

I have gone down the cheapy route and bought:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310396709560?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Checked the CBR forums and found that need something with an 41mm Internal Diameter.

If it doesn't work, then i'll buy a proper one.

Only one seal has gone, so i'm hoping they aren't too bad but I think the previous owner was a "Wheelier" so could be fun
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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[Fizzer Thou]

Sometimes just running a 20thou feeler gauge inside of the fork seal will dislodge any bits of grit or dust out of the way.I did this recently on my XR400SM and it worked perfectly.
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[Nick 50]

Soooo now i'm stuck and need some advice.

Strapped the back end down, and worked through the manual and got both forks off. Great I thought.......

So started on the stripping the forks to replace the bushes and seals.

I loosened the allen bolt (drain bolt) as instructed. Then removed fork cap and spring.

Next it stated to remove the Allen Bolt.............. it won't come out. It just turns and turns. So I can't remove the Fork cartridge assemble and oil lock piece.

I thought perhaps move onto the next steps which is getting the old fork seal....... they won't come out either. They look pretty old and no matter how much force applied, they just won't budge

Has anyone got any ideas???
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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[anthony_r6]

[Casper]

You got the cap off so you can see down the fork? If so look for a nut. If like the Kawasaki you need to make a tool to grab it while turning the bottom alen bolt.

[Nick 50]

There is a nut on the rod which I have put a spanner on and tried the allen bolt but no joy.
When I take the spanner of the nut and turn the allent bolt the rod spins, so it's connected to something.
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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[Casper]

You have a lock seal under the fork piston. Cound it not just be stuck due to a tight fit?

[Nick 50]

[Casper]

I am looking at the diagram for the 93 on model. The long fork piston sits in a seal. Part number 9 if you are looking at the same manual. If its just a tight fit give it a yank. Your bottom bolt might not be dropping out as it has a seal washer under it. If thats rubber again it just might be a tight fit.

[Nick 50]

[Budgetboy]

The cartridge inside needs a tool to hold it while you undo the allen bolt.
These are a T bar type tool.

When you get the cartridge out make sure you split it and clean it all of the old oil. If not it will contaminate your new oil.Also clean out the bottom of the fork tube as this is where the old oil sits. i have has compression dampers blocked solid just by old crud from the forks.

If you would have asked i would have done them for you for £40+post & parts.

Nevermind,im sure you will sort it out.. best way to learn.
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www.Mailorderrepairs.co.uk We service your Carburetor's, Calipers & Suspension for less Also Bike repairs undertaken.

[StevenF]

Hope you managed to get it sorted! I'm considering tackling this on my 1991 CBR. Can you possibly post a link to the youtube video you were using as reference?
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My Project - Honda CBR 600 F2/FM

[Nick 50]

[Sload]

If you can compress the fork you should be able to crack the allen key out of the bottom, works a treat.

https://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s12/TrIcK361/Speed%20Four/IMAG0168.jpg
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Honda Varadero >> Triumph Speed Four >> Honda CBR1100xx

[Budgetboy]

These forks were sent to me in the end. BOTH the allen bolts were turning.Nothing i did would make them budge. So i drilled them out and used heat on the cartridge to remove the old bit.

Polised stanchions,Replaced Oil,Seal,New bushes,cleaned rods,fork caps & painted fork bottoms as they looked rough.
Before
https://img6.imageshack.us/img6/801/forks007.jpg
After
https://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6847/forks014.jpg

£40+ £8.99 delivery.. All hassle taken away.
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www.Mailorderrepairs.co.uk We service your Carburetor's, Calipers & Suspension for less Also Bike repairs undertaken.