Fork maintenance?

[Cycledude]

You should also replace the bushings, 15 and 16

 

[SkunkWorks]

I'm gathering the parts to refresh the front forks on my 2014 ES with 55k miles. Currently, both forks are puking fluid when I ride but not when chilling in my garage. I have tried cleaning the seals multiple times, but it hasn't seemed to fix the issue.

What is the consensus on the parts to replace when doing the refresh? I ordered the Yamaha OE Fork seal kit, which provides a new Oil Seal (13) and Dust Seal (10), but when I looked at the factory service manual, it calls for a lot more parts to be replaced. Swapping out the additional "New" parts highlighted in the diagram would add about $120 to the refresh cost. Is it worth it?

View attachment 107885

#15 and 16 are the teflon-coated bushings.
They are definitely a "wear item"
If I pull the Forks apart to replace the seals, I almost always replace the bushings too.

The O-ring at the top-cap I have re-used more than once without issue.

The small copper-washer at the very bottom of the fork assembly should be replaced also, as it's soft copper.
I have heard of people re-using those, but I always replace it with a new one.

I also re-use the metal clip #11 if it is not supplied in the kit.
It's just a metal clip that holds the inner seal in place, and doesn't really wear out.

 

[Mad_Matt]

This is great feedback, thanks! I'm definitely bigger-boned at 260#, should I put in heavier-weight folk oil? OEM is 5W, I was thinking of upping it to 7W oil.

 

[SkunkWorks]

I'll edit my response to say that: If you just want to do the seals and bushings, the small copper-washer on the bottom bolt is not needed.
That only needs to be removed if you are overhauling the Damper assembly.

 

[SkunkWorks]

This is great feedback, thanks! I'm definitely bigger-boned at 260#, should I go ahead and put in heavier-weight folk oil? OEM is 5W, I was thinking of upping it to 7W oil.

I'm heavy also.
I have always used the factory viscosity.

I also upgraded to Penske Valves the last time I overhauled mine, and I believe Stoltech recommended 5W with that valving as well.

You could always try it, but you wouldn't want the damping response to be too harsh?
Maybe someone who has tried the 7.5W will chime in.

 

[Mad_Matt]

I ordered the additional parts from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC. One of the bushings is on backorder until later this month, but given the weather forecast, I probably wasn't going to get in much riding this month anyway.

 

[TenereGUY]

I'm gathering the parts to refresh the front forks on my 2014 ES with 55k miles. Currently, both forks are puking fluid when I ride but not when chilling in my garage. I have tried cleaning the seals multiple times, but it hasn't seemed to fix the issue.

What is the consensus on the parts to replace when doing the refresh? I ordered the Yamaha OE Fork seal kit, which provides a new Oil Seal (13) and Dust Seal (10), but when I looked at the factory service manual, it calls for a lot more parts to be replaced. Swapping out the additional "New" parts highlighted in the diagram would add about $120 to the refresh cost. Is it worth it?

View attachment 107885

At 55,000 miles you most likely will need 13, 15, 16. Seals, upper and lower bushing. Those bushings have a Teflon coating that is meant to wear. If you see copper showing over 50% of the surface area they need replacing. At 55,000 you'll be there or close! Dust seal is optional and if you remove the retaining clip without acting like a gorilla you shouldn't need that.

 

[TenereGUY]

You answered my question precisely. I’m 215 dressed and carry between 0 and 40 lbs. of gear, depending on what/where I’m riding. The set of 0.95 kg/mm adjusted properly, sound like the solid absorption and comfort I’m looking for. Thanks!

Just know that the stock springs are progressive springs and not linear. Most aftermarket purchases are to a linear spring. Call Traxxion Dynamics suspension in Marietta Georgia or email them. They will take the guess work out of it and send you the correct oil and springs.

 

[Mad_Matt]

Has anyone found a drop-in replacement spring for ES forks?

 

[TenereGUY]

Has anyone found a drop-in replacement spring for ES forks?

My go to is to contact Traxxion Dynamics suspension. They are the suspension answer people.

 

[holligl]

It was well tarped so the slipstream was limited. I would measure the height rather than dumping, unless I go ahead with the new seals and bushings. Will probably check next rainy day. Performance seems good.


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Checked the level today and it was low about an inch. I had noticed the ride was a little off. Holding the parts for a rebuild next time.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[mihai_marian]

I have a Supere tenere 2014 with ES. My fork started to leak oil this winter at 22k km. This spring I took it to my mechanic but we can't find the service manual for ES on Yamaha SuperTenere.
I have some questions:
- what is the fork oil level for each arm?

- what oil is recommended: 5w, 7.5w, 10w?

Thank you.

 

[RCinNC]

That's odd; the Yamaha produced service manual for the 2014 Super Tenere has the procedures for both the ES and Standard models.

Yamaha recommends a fork oil weight of 01 or the equivalent for the ES model. My long-ago online research into the subject led me to using 5wt for oil. When I did my forks in February, I used Maxima 5wt.

The fork oil quantity is: Left leg, 505.CC. The right leg is 493 CC.

The air gap is 148 mm.

 

[mihai_marian]

Many thanks for quick reply. I will send over to my mechanic. He finded only the Standard Fork Manual and I also search for ES one.(no result)
So now I have all the info he need for my fork service.
Also I readed that first: put the ES in STD possition and with 1 passager without luggage.