| Author | Message | ||
     Tillerman |
Hi all, I own a Buell S3T thunderbolt and need to replace the fork seals. I'm trying to find out who supplied the forks for this model? I'm sure Buell didn't make them. Could they be Ohlins? | ||
| 89rs1200 |
What year? There was more than one front fork for the S3T. | ||
| Upthemaiden |
The S3 had different forks than the S1, right? I know when I rebuilt my S1 forks I was able to find the seals I needed for a KTM. If you're willing to sacrifice a few days of downtime, you can pull the forks apart, measure the dimensions of your seals, and track down new ones that way, that's how I figured out which ones would work for mine. | ||
| Buell3some |
I also have a S3T, mine is a 2002. A couple years ago I changed the fork oil and i thought the forks were manufactured by Showa. | ||
| 1313 |
OP's profile states he owns a 1998 S3T, so the OE forks would've been WP (White Power, crazy Dutch...), which is now owned by KTM. 1997-1998 = WP (which will have WP cast into the lower fork legs) 1999-2002 = Showa (which should have a nearly hidden Showa sticker on the lower fork legs) Memories - coming back... | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Hello 1313, Ahh. . . It was "White Brothers Power". They made some great equipment in their day. "White Power" has a whole other meaning. Just saying. Part number for the, S2 & 1997-98 S3, WP forks; 45813-94Y J9131.8 Oil Seal, Forks NOTE: My experience is, the Right fork seal leaks, almost never the Left. If just weeping oil, usually does not need replacement, just cleaning. The WP forks do not have a dust seal to keep the fork seal clean. With a cotton cloth, wipe the lower tube up into the seal. Then clean inside the seal with a strip of 35mm film or better yet a "Seal Mate"! https://sealmate.net/. They have instructions with photos explaining how to do this. I have replaced the right seal just once on all my S3 with WP forks. Keep those lower fork tubes wiped down will alleviate this weeping oil issue. (Message edited by 89rs1200 on March 13, 2020) (Message edited by 89rs1200 on March 13, 2020) | ||
| 1313 |
It was "White Brothers Power". Ummm...NOPE!!! "for many years WP went by White Power." "throughout the 1980s and ’90s the US importer was White Brothers." https://www.cycleworld.com/2015/04/22/wp-factory-d utch-suspension-manufacturer-tour/ | ||
| Upthemaiden |
"Part number for the, S2 & 1997-98 S3, WP forks; 45813-94Y J9131.8 Oil Seal, Forks " If that information is correct, than you should need the same seals as my 97 S1. Scroll down to my posts in this thread for the info you'll need to track down some fork seals that should work for you. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/807183.html?1495833141 | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Hello 1313, Hmm. . . There is a White Brothers Power. When I was researching parts for my WP forks, they came back with White Brothers Power. Could it be that, before KTM bought them, the WP branch in USA went by the name "White Brothers Power" and in Holland "White Power"? I am not disputing the current "White Brothers" uses a different logo and appears to be a different company. Notice the sticker on this, (possibly 1989), shock has both WP logo and "White Brothers Power" on it; https://www.ebay.com/itm/White-Brothers-WP-20-91-R ear-Shock-Off-89-KTM-250-used/172541511689 This one states "White Power Holland"; https://www.ebay.ca/itm/WHITE-POWER-RACING-SUSPENS ION-PRO-LINE-FRONT-FORK-SPRINGS-4-5-43-4054-8022-K TM/352368215329 (Message edited by 89rs1200 on March 13, 2020) | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Hello 1313, Just read the article you found, thank you. They were referencing the factory in Austria. The logo is slightly different. Still does not explain what they did for USA distribution. I want to know but, I am at work and do not have the time. Can anyone assist with a definitive and authoritative answer? | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Hello Upthemaiden, Part numbers are correct. Thank you for your Bad Web link. Will add the KTM information to my parts inventory. Now over 400 line items in the inventory. Am I nuts for my Buells or just paranoid I will not find a part when it's needed? | ||
| _buelligan_ |
If he has the WP forks, part number is J9131.8 and is still available from Harley and can be ordered at ANY H-D dealer. They are a whopping suggested retail of $28.74 a piece and will be available until June or July this year, after that they will cease production of all Buell parts and send everything to the liquidation company Vintage Parts where all H-D dealers can still order them but once they are gone from that company they are gone gone, or you will just have to find an alternative. If he has the Showa Forks, they are 45875-84A which is a common Showa fork seal among 1993-2016 Dyna, 1991-2017 Softail and 1991-2013 Touring models so most dealers have those in stock. | ||
| Upthemaiden |
I remember knowing they were around when I ordered them, but $60 a set is crazy when you can get the KTM part for $10. I've had mine in for 3.5 years, and they're still holding up well, even if I'm a little rough on them. | ||
| Two_seasons |
https://sealmate.net/ | ||
| Tillerman |
Thank you all, Wemoto sell the fork oil seals for the S3T, part number J9131.8, (89rs1200 Thank you for that) not sure if good quality or not so I'll give them a call first. Regarding dust covers, I've not noticed them on these forks, and can't check as away at the moment. Does anyone know if this fork has them or not? Thanks all. | ||
| Tillerman |
Just found out the Wemoto fork seals are unbranded, so I'll give those a miss. | ||
| 89rs1200 |
S2 & 1997-98 S3, WP forks did not have dust seals. Personally, I wipe off the lower leg up onto the seal with a clean cloth before riding. (Message edited by 89rs1200 on September 01, 2020) | ||
| Mnscrounger |
silly me.... I always thought WP stood for "Works Performance"... Because I didn't bother to research anything. Will this be on the test? |
