Front fork seals are leaking... should I change them?

pferreira · Post by **pferreira** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:06 pm

Hi everyone... I just got a FZR1000... The forks are leaking and I need to change the seals!
I have the replacement parts but I am wondering if I should change them myself or pay a shop $300 to do them??

I am mechanically inclined do most work on my own bikes and cars but never fixed bike forks (seals). Do I need special tools??

Thanks for your help...

Peter

pferreira · Post by **pferreira** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:10 pm

Here's my bike...

yamaha_george · Post by **yamaha_george** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:21 pm

pferreira wrote:Hi everyone... I just got a FZR1000... The forks are leaking and I need to change the seals!
I have the replacement parts but I am wondering if I should change them myself or pay a shop $300 to do them??

I am mechanically inclined do most work on my own bikes and cars but never fixed bike forks (seals). Do I need special tools??

Thanks for your help...

Peter

Peter,
there is coverage in the WIKI about changing seals
SEARCH will bring up numerous hits on the subject too

it is also covered on my site complete with instruction of making tools to do the job.

http://www.saltmine.org.uk/fzr/fork.html

McFizzer · Post by **McFizzer** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 11:23 pm

+1 to george!

Als[youtube][/youtube]o sharp 1k there. Loving the paint

Freestyle72 · Post by **Freestyle72** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 1:01 am

Fixing fork seals was my very first ever attempt at mechanical work on either a bike or a car. I was shocked at how damn easy it was and couldn't believe I almost paid someone $210 to do it for me.

No you don't need any special tools beyond an impact gun and possibly big hex socket for the bottom of the forks (depends on model).

cad600 · Post by **cad600** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 8:45 am

Nice 1k man. Do a youtube search for changing fork seals. It really is easy. First time I did it the first side took me 1.5 hours. The second side took me 20 minutes.

I do have to say though that having the correct tool does make the job easier. I invested in some tools to do it and it made life so easy. But the home made things are great too. Just look carefully at the process to determine what you need.

Although, do buy the factory seals and dust wipers. OEM is the best option in this case. I tried those "Leak Proof" brand and they leaked instantly. I redid it with factory ones and haven't had any issues.

pferreira · Post by **pferreira** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 10:56 pm

Thanks friends...

You like the paint job? I just got the bike. The paint job is different... I'm still wondering about it!

McFizzer · Post by **McFizzer** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 11:07 pm

I forgot to add!!

Very important, there are 2 "metal slides" or "bushings" on each slide that you should probably replace. Over time the fork seals will rub on these and you'll be going through seals every few months. Remember to buy OEM seals too as the no leak ones bite the big one..

And yeah like the paint. Can you take some more pictures. Any other things besides the DnD pipe?

-Ant

Post by **sweekster** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:25 am

Took me roughly an hour to do the seals on my 94 1000. That included taking the bike apart and putting back together and riding it down the street.

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