changing fork seal
- Thread starter yukondood
- Start date
Everything you need to know is right here.
Change motorcycle fork seals part 1 (of 2) cartridge type
That's part 1 of 2.
You don't need a seal bullet. Use a plastic bag or a piece of saran wrap over the tube.
You don't need a seal driver but it does make life easier. Cut a piece of PVC in half and drive it with a soft rubber mallet.
You don't need a fancy measuring tool for the fork oil, but it does make life easier. Mark a dowel or something and add oil until it gets on your homemade "dipstick".
I realize you already ordered the seals, so this does you no good, but I'm going to post it up anyway. Use SKF fork seals. They are a LOT better. Seals from a 99-2003 YZ125 or 250 will fit the Super Tenere- 43mm.
Change motorcycle fork seals part 1 (of 2) cartridge type
That's part 1 of 2.
You don't need a seal bullet. Use a plastic bag or a piece of saran wrap over the tube.
You don't need a seal driver but it does make life easier. Cut a piece of PVC in half and drive it with a soft rubber mallet.
You don't need a fancy measuring tool for the fork oil, but it does make life easier. Mark a dowel or something and add oil until it gets on your homemade "dipstick".
I realize you already ordered the seals, so this does you no good, but I'm going to post it up anyway. Use SKF fork seals. They are a LOT better. Seals from a 99-2003 YZ125 or 250 will fit the Super Tenere- 43mm.
Actually...for the ST I am running 6" 'regular' ShockSox. I used to run dirtskins, but found I like the wrap around velco better on the shocksox as it seems to hold up.Hipshot said:
http://shocksox.com/
::026:: Same here, after having to have one seal changed at around 4000km. The 6" ShockSox do the job very well, at 18000km now with no further seal problems.stevepsd said:
Yep. Usually.yukondood said:
check with Jason, they told me at the time "usually not" but did on my SupaT last year about this time.yukondood said:
emgee
Member
At least a couple of us from the Yukon rally got our fork seals covered under warranty once returning home. Trevor had his replaced by Yukon Yamaha, but I don't know if they considered it a warranty issue or not.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2
zedXformer
New Member
I just got back from a long road trip out west. I'm in the same boat and have an appointment next week. (Takes forever to get an appointment from my dealership). At 4200 miles total on the bike, 6 weeks out from purchase, I really hope it is warranty.
I'll post back....
I'll post back....
nchristi
Member
I have been using this for protection.
http://shop.touratech.com/neopren-fork-protector-with-velcro-strap-for-bmw-hp2-g650x-33cm-yamaha-xt1200z.html?___store=int_en_gb
http://shop.touratech.com/neopren-fork-protector-with-velcro-strap-for-bmw-hp2-g650x-33cm-yamaha-xt1200z.html?___store=int_en_gb
I use a similar tying only much cheaper from Noj. Last I looked not available through them anymore. To bad it was a good deal at $15 bucks and completely removable to be cleaned. I used them on both my Vstroms and Bandit 1250. No seal leaks on any bike.nchristi said:
Koinz
Active Member
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I'm surprised to hear of all the Fork Seal leaks. I installed the dirt skins early on - 11K miles later and I don't have any leaks. Took the skins off once to clean them. I don't go off road much so they were pretty clean.
I assume many of the seal leaks were the result of the off road riding? I can see that.
I assume many of the seal leaks were the result of the off road riding? I can see that.
Should be noted I was originally asking for tips on changing the seals, then thought hmm wonder about warranty. I have no beef with seals leaking in the first place or not a warranty item. After all I have 15k of hard riding a 600+ steed over some of the worst/best Yukon Alaska and Nprthern BC roads. Heck my first trip I rode to Tok, the giggle factor was through the roof as I was airing it out on the world famous frost heaves prior to Beaver Creek. I have plowed through awesome mud/silt rides up the Dempster and Canol roads that in the end I could barely identify my ride as it was filthy. I have done my best to keep the forks clean and even fixed a couple weeping seal events with the old feeler gauge.
zedXformer
New Member
Has your dealer weighed in yet?
I agree with you 100% about wear/warranty. My bike is six weeks old with 4200 miles. Only maybe 150 on rough stuff. So I'm hopeful warranty will save me the effort. The sealmate trick did not work to fix my left fork.. and I can hear the seals rub when the nose dives hard. (Which I did a few times to test, then parked the bike).
The only thing that is frustrating me is the down time waiting for my appointment. I was halfway tempted to start building a DYI fork compressor and work on it this weekend. The family has other plans for me though after my trip. What are/were you going to use for a fork compressor?
I agree with you 100% about wear/warranty. My bike is six weeks old with 4200 miles. Only maybe 150 on rough stuff. So I'm hopeful warranty will save me the effort. The sealmate trick did not work to fix my left fork.. and I can hear the seals rub when the nose dives hard. (Which I did a few times to test, then parked the bike).
The only thing that is frustrating me is the down time waiting for my appointment. I was halfway tempted to start building a DYI fork compressor and work on it this weekend. The family has other plans for me though after my trip. What are/were you going to use for a fork compressor?
phplemel
Member
I must live right or else my bike was built on a Thursday ::012::
just turned over 28000km returning from offroad riding on the Oylmpic peninsula
spent most of this riding FULLY loaded, on road, off road , rain, Baja rocks, Mojave sand, Demster mud
and NO seal leaks, still have 50% rear pad wear left
and have over 20km on my K60's
only thing I've done is put oil in the engine & rubber on the wheels ::021::
I love my S10
just turned over 28000km returning from offroad riding on the Oylmpic peninsula
spent most of this riding FULLY loaded, on road, off road , rain, Baja rocks, Mojave sand, Demster mud
and NO seal leaks, still have 50% rear pad wear left
and have over 20km on my K60's
only thing I've done is put oil in the engine & rubber on the wheels ::021::
I love my S10
I have dirtbikes, too. The S10 has the same seals as my YZ. If I can get a year out of the seals on the Yz, it's a miracle.
Mud has everything to do with it. The more you ride in it, the faster you lose a seal.
I've also found that its important to change the wipers too. New seals might last just a few hours with bad wipers.
And, with a tear down, clean, reassemble, you can often get double the life out of seals.
Mud has everything to do with it. The more you ride in it, the faster you lose a seal.
I've also found that its important to change the wipers too. New seals might last just a few hours with bad wipers.
And, with a tear down, clean, reassemble, you can often get double the life out of seals.