Question concerning fork seals

[Mr Jensee]

Well, my baby has developed a weeping from the left fork seal. Looks like I am going to have to do the dreaded fork tear down. I haven't messed with changing seals since I had the 79 Suzuki back in the 90's. I have Carl's video and the task doesn't scare me, I just have to make the time to get with a friend who has a hoist to support the front end to do the dirty deed. I was looking on Bikebandit and saw that the OEM seals were pricey. They had some aftermarket seals from All Balls for $27 for a set of 2 with the dust seals. Looks like a good deal. Have any of you guys ever used these seals? I want this to be the one an only time I have to go through this procedure if at all possible. Some feed back would be nice on what your recommendations are. Thanks to all for the help over the years.
Mike.

[Gator Mike]

Mike don't know it this helps much but I used aftermarket seals (not those though) and they weeped almost immediately so I have to do it again. I might have messed them up myself on the installation but this time I'm not taking any chances and I'm going oem. I would normally call Carl for a little advice but I suspect he might appreciate a little break right now. Hopefully some other folks will chime in.........Gator Mike

[Bill O]

Well, my baby has developed a weeping from the left fork seal. Looks like I am going to have to do the dreaded fork tear down. I haven't messed with changing seals since I had the 79 Suzuki back in the 90's. I have Carl's video and the task doesn't scare me, I just have to make the time to get with a friend who has a hoist to support the front end to do the dirty deed. I was looking on Bikebandit and saw that the OEM seals were pricey. They had some aftermarket seals from All Balls for $27 for a set of 2 with the dust seals. Looks like a good deal. Have any of you guys ever used these seals? I want this to be the one an only time I have to go through this procedure if at all possible. Some feed back would be nice on what your recommendations are. Thanks to all for the help over the years.
Mike.

Mike,
I have done this procedure per Carl's guidance. (Since I was the pseudo-videographer who filmed Carl's presentation) and If you follow his guidance, it is a breeze. I used after market seals and dust covers and they were just fine. I did not have a good impact driver to remove the allen from the bottom of the fork, but a good quality allen extension did just fine breaking the bolt loose. After the dis-assembly, just clean it up really good before reassembly. Use good judgement on whether to replace the two internal bushings removed and you'll be fine. (I did not replace the bushings and the forks are just great.) The hardest thing I had to do was make the PVC tool to tap in the new seals. (Had to shave the thickness of the PVC so it would correctly tap down the new seals into the fork uppers. Once the clip snapped into place, the dust cap was a breeze. After that was done, I remounted to the triple tree, compressed the forks, added the correct amount of oil and installed the progressive forks springs. Nothing to it.

Bill O

[Furchin]

"Mike don't know it this helps much but I used aftermarket seals (not those though) and they weeped almost immediately so I have to do it again."

This has been my experience also. After market seals don't seem to cut it, although I'm sure some are better than others. So for this reason I stick with oem.

And Bill O, I hear ya about the PVC tool. A little tip that may be of use to others. I simply use the old seal and turn it upside down to use as the driver tool.

[1700Guy]

I have used the Balls All fork seals on my last XII and on the two Hondas I have restored and I have had no problems with them they are a double seal and seam to be made very well I would use them again. You should be able to just put on center stand and with a jack under front of the engine. pull off front tire and go from there pulling out one fork at a time be very carefull when pulling tube past air. intake as not to bend tubing lube fork shaft before you pass tube through it and again during putting it back together.

[chevyman1]

I rebuilt 4 sets of Voyager forks and All Balls is the only seal and dust cover I have used.
Never had a problem.

[Chris near Kansas City]

Having just posed this question to Carl not more than 2 Weeks ago, he mentioned going with the All Balls seals (but Kaw bushings if needed). $19 shipped off ebay. Have yet to install them.

[Mr Jensee]

Got a call this morning from Big Rapids Michigan from a member named Neal. He told me about a fork seal cleaning tool called Seal Mate that I can order for just a few bucks that might prevent me from having to replace the seals. I want to thank him, and everyone else for your suggestions. I have the All Balls seals ordered but think I am going to try the tool first. If it works I will save myself $35 and a lot of work. I will return the seals to Bike Bandit. You guys are truly amazing friends on this site. Again, my thanks!

[Mr Jensee]

See my revised post above.

[voyager55]

http://www.sealmate.net/

[Hip001]

Mine are leaking too, right after I had them replaced. I Will be doing mine again soon!

[Neal]

I've seen ads for 3 or 4 other outfits making products to do the same job, but for lots more money. Don't know if they might work better or not. The 4 bikes I did last summer are still working nicely. And for $3.99 now on line.

[cushman eagle]

Sealmate looks like it might be a valuable tool to have. Back in my GS Suzuki days 'way back in my GS850,I decided to try aftermarket fork seals to save a couple bucks.They started leaking almost immediately. When I removed them to install OEM,I noticed they had no preload springs in the oil lip as the OEMs did I have no memory of the brand they were.

[Mr Jensee]

Well, I got the fork seals from Bikebandit today. I am not going to even open the box, will wait for the Seal Mate tool to get here and see if it works on the bad seal. If it works I will send the fork seals back, if it doesn't work then I will tackle both forks together. Will keep you posted.

[Mr Jensee]

Well Thursday I received the fork seals. Didn't open the box. Friday the Seal Mate tool arrived and today (Saturday) my friend and I used the tool on the leaking fork seal. Guess what? It worked! I made 2 passes around the seal with the little piece of plastic, pumped the forks up and down about 6 times and wiped after each time. After the sixth time no oil showed up on the chrome leg. I slid the dust cover back down and we went for a a ride. Three hours later and number of stops and the fork tube was still dry. I am returning the fork seals Monday. Yeah!

[voyager55]

great! another success story!

[grumpin]

Great! Good to hear.