| Author | Message | ||
     Billy_bee |
Greetings, guys, On my ride to school this week, I noticed a small pool of oil under the left fork tube. Crap. So, I just ordered all new seals, o-rings, etc, from American Sport Bike. Should be here tomorrow. Anybody on the central coast have tools I can borrow? Or can help me with the fork re-build? I'll come to you with your favorite beverage... Thanks, Bill | ||
| Swampy |
There is a great write up around here somewhere in the Knowlege Vault how to make your own fork tools for replacing the fork seals. I use a properly sized PVC Tee that was cut in half. It is not that hard to do with a handfull of improvised tools. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
I did this. The specialized tools are the fork compressor and the seal pounder inner. To Swampy's point, you can make a seal pounder inner with a the right PVC cut in half. For a fork compressor, I used straps. Here's a link to some links. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/641088.html?1309662479 | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Do a search on front forks and there is more than enough info to tackle those forks on your own. Did mine without any assistance other than the service manual and what others have explained in the archived posts related to fixing blown seals. Takes some time but mostly because it's the first time, otherwise it would be easy-peasy. Have fun. By the way, it's bad enough having to work on your own bike so good luck finding someone to help work on yours. Go it solo and you'll do er fine. | ||
| Luftkoph |
http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/Video/93 not a buell showa but gives you an idea how simple it can be | ||
| Billy_bee |
I love working on my bike and would help out another BWBer if I could. I keep looking at the owners manual and my eyes cross. Always easier when you have something apart and in your hands. I may tackle it Saturday. Parts will arrive from American Sport Bike tomorrow. Bill | ||
| Crusty |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQvo6HQmv2c | ||
| Union_man |
I just did fork seals for my first time this spring. I was intimidated too. It was pretty easy. I had a buddy help me out. It would be possible to do alone but it was surely better with help. Difficulty...5 of 10. Go for it! | ||
| Skifastbadly |
Billy, Now that I've done it once, I could probably do the whole thing again in less than an hour. If you read my report and the the other links, it can sound complicated, but here are the main things to know: Loosen the top of the fork while it's still attached to the bike, that way it won't turn on you Have some rags handy and a place to dump to old oil. Have a table to lay the thing out on for disassembly. You have to pull really hard on the bottom to dislodge the seal. (This will make sense when you get into it.) You have to bang the replacement seal into place. I and others have described using a half a plastic pipe to do this, but on ADVRider some guy described this method: Try this for a fork seal driver next time; assemble the parts as described in the book and wrap electrical tape around the fork a couple of inches up the tube from the loose seal. Wrap the tape neatly and squarely to a depth of about 3/16 of an inch thick. Place one end of the fork against the floor and press down on the other end. It will press right in on the first try. Spin it around and press a couple of times to insure square seating. Install the clip with the flat side against the boss and remove the tape. Wipe of tape residue. Sorry I didn't offer this in a more timely mannor. There's always next time. I did it 3 times before I figured this method out. Pay attention to the fork fluid level, there's a trick using a strip of cardboard to get it right, it's in one of the links. When putting things back together be aware of two things, 1) attach a string or something to the damper rod so you can pull it back up to assemble it. 2) Pay special attention to the part of the manual that describes re-assembly of the fork/damper rod etc. I just screwed it on and it turned out that when I put it all together it wouldn't adjust properly. There's a section that tells you to tighten it, then back it off some turns, etc. Just follow that exactly. Good luck, if you're like me you'll get a sense of satisfaction. Well, actually, if you're like me you're probably on the road to alcoholism, but that's a different post. | ||
| Uly_man |
Billy. If you think you have the skill to do it then go for it. But remember this. If you mess it up it could be dangerous and/or very expensive. At the end of the day it does not cost much for a shop to do it anyway. Have fun Dude. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
The only real danger involved would be not securing your bike solidly and it comes down on you. Billy, save yourself a few hundred bucks and do it yourself and when you're done you'll be happy with your newly gained knowledge. I have no idea whether Ulyman has changed out a fork seal on his Uly but those of us that for sure have, know that it just isn't that difficult to do. Let us know how you fare. | ||
| Uly_man |
Do not get me wrong EG. I have not done it on a Uly but have on other bikes. It is not hard to do, for some, and I want others to do/learn how to. Ok I guess I may "labour" the point on this and many of my other posts but have seen people die over simple work on bikes in the past and do not wish anyone to be in that position. I would hope, EG that you know were I am coming from on this issue. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
Well if this is going to be a thread about how one can die on a motorcycle..... When I bought the Scrambler, my wife almost killed me. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Ulyman, I most certainly know where you are coming from and can appreciate that. I only spoke up because I know, just the thought of tearing into fully adjustable front forks can seem quite overwhelming even though there just isn't that much to them when you take them apart. I didn't want to see Billy give up before he even tried. When I saw a pool of oil under my right side fork I at first thought "oh, shit, how tough is this going to be". I read up on it, bought the parts, made tools as suggested, bought the big deep well socket, and then tore into it with the service manual and some Badweb printouts as my guides. The thought of paying hundreds to have a seal replaced by some dealer never even occurred to me. I always strive to make my motorcycle habit an inexpensive proposition. And Uly forks were way overdue for a fluid change. | ||
| Mnrider |
 Here's my favorite beverage,now fly me out and I'll help ya  . Really it's not too bad to do. Like ski says be sure to do the damper rod setting. I just put big drill bits in the tube holes and the axle in the bottom and compressed the spring with tie down straps around the bits and axle. My photo of the strap setup is in ski's link. (Message edited by mnrider on April 20, 2012) | ||
| Skifastbadly |
Oh man, spotted cow! I'm a native of Wisconsin, and I stopped out there one time for a quick tour. Given your location, wouldn't a Summit IPA be just as good? | ||
| Mnrider |
Toured the Summit brewery last year.Good stuff! I was on a camping trip in WS when I got that New Glarus. | ||
| Uly_man |
Cool EG. Skif. It was not about "how to die on a bike", which is easy enough, but how to be sure the work is done right and safe. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
Oh. Nevermind.  | ||
| Billy_bee |
SFB, I am past all the stages of alcoholism. UlyMan and EG, thanks for the debate on safety. The funny irony is that I have a sticker on my bike that says safety third. Long standing joke amongst some close friends... I started cleaning up the lowers and found a few nicks down low. They will just tear the new seals apart. Not sure what to do about that... So, I have almost officially chickened out. I know I could do it, but I am just as happy to pay a local motorcycle suspension shop (https://sites.google.com/site/independentraceshop/) to take care of it. I will deliver the fork legs and the parts later today. He'll have them done for me by COB Monday. bb | ||
| Uly_man |
Its not a "chicken thing" Billy its about what you are happy with. I could do them myself but its not a practical thing for me anymore. I no longer have the right tools or a garage but more to the point for me is that I have the best suspension makers in the UK just around the corner from me. Not the same for everyone though. |
