Fork seals

[Hairy biker]

I don't think the storm liked being laid up last year, since getting it out of hibernation this year it's delvolped a misfire, I've dropped it(caused by the misfire) ,needs a new front tyre and its delvolped a rattle(which I think may be one of the cct's) anyway back to the point I walked past it in the garage this morning and noticed some oil on the front tyre, on closer inspection I found the fork seal has failed and spewed oil all over the caliper,disc,pads,wheel and tyre. So before I drop the new seal in is there any mods you'd recommend or is just a nice straight forward job for a change?

[macdee]

hi you can upgrade the springs to suit your weight and carryout rogers improvements to the internals

http://www.ablett.jp/bikes/vtr/vtr_sus.htm

[Hairy biker]

Thanks for that

[Smokinjoe73]

I recently purchased this product. Kinda interesting concept. May save you major effort. Or at least prolong major effort. This product just puts the seal straight again, they are almost never torn, just bent.


Let me know if you cant view the video.

[VTRDark]

Nice video and a very interesting product. I shall have to look into whether they can be purchased here.

If you going to the bother of changing the seals you may as well take the opportunity to at least change the fork oil if it hasn't been done. If using standard springs you could use 7.5w weight oil which will stiffen the front end a bit. I would put new dust seals on as well. Some kits have both and some only the seals. Onto the cct's if you suspect they are starting to rattle get them sorted as a matter of urgency. Is it the front cylinder the rattle is coming from. The missfire could be any number of things.

(:-})

[Hairy biker]

Thanks smokinjoe73 a very interesting product indeed, I think the seal on mine has probably torn as its been stood a while(a year maybe more)

Nice video and a very interesting product. I shall have to look into whether they can be purchased here.

If you going to the bother of changing the seals you may as well take the opportunity to at least change the fork oil if it hasn't been done. If using standard springs you could use 7.5w weight oil which will stiffen the front end a bit. I would put new dust seals on as well. Some kits have both and some only the seals. Onto the cct's if you suspect they are starting to rattle get them sorted as a matter of urgency. Is it the front cylinder the rattle is coming from. The missfire could be any number of things.

(:-})

I'll change the oil,seals and dust covers at the same time, I always have when I've done fork seals in the past(not on this bike) I'll take your advice on the 7.5 oil thanks,I haven't had chance to look at the rattle yet I'll convert the cct's to manual as I've already changed the cct's on this bike less than three years ago, I think the misfire is the pilot jets blocked, if I give it the beans it's fine but steady 30 mph it like riding a bucking bronco!

[Smokinjoe73]

Not sure if its different in the motherland, but here in the colonies smaller numbers on oil means thinner oil. I use 20-30 on my racebikes, but honda calls for 10wt in the hawk. You can mix them to dial it in. You can also add spacers to stiffen preload. (FYI)

[tony.mon]

You can fit HRC seals, they have springs top and bottom, so twice the sealing.
Not that expensive, either. Just fitted a pair on Saturday.

BTW, don't buy cheap seals, Honda ones are best.

[VTRDark]

Yay, fork seal doctors can be purchased here. Just found some on ebay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Risk-Racing-S ... 4168cf5c0f

but honda calls for 10wt in the hawk

Just looked it up in the manual and your right. Strange, I was always led to believe they have 5w as standard. And Roger at Revolution recommends 7.5w with the stock valves. But then he puts a 1mm relief hole in the cartridge.

(:-})

[Hairy biker]

Do you think I'd be better with the 10w oil then if I I don't do any drilling or shall I go for the 7.5w?I weigh about 15 1/2 stone so it's a fair lump of carcass over front end
Thanks for the link to the fork seal doctor by the way

[VTRDark]

Somebody else can chime in here that know's a bit more about suspension set up's than myself, but I believe the majority of people on here use 7.5w with the standard set up. I'm confused now as the manual says 10

(:-})

[Hairy biker]

I've had a look around and I'm still none the wiser , I'll try 10w( because I'm a lard a*se and because that's a standard set up)and if that's to stiff I'll try 7.5w, it'll probably be a couple of weeks before I get time on now anyway.

[macdee]

hi hairy
i got my honda seals from tippets through ebay
they were cheaper than silvers honda seals

[Smokinjoe73]

TMK, the stock suspension is very softly sprung to the point of bottoming and underdamped, thus the use of thicker oil.

Even on bone stock forks, you can add 2-2.5cm of heavy (30wt) oil (on top of the stock 10wt) and like 3cm spacers and have a transformed bike with a much better front end.

[Hairy biker]

hi hairy
i got my honda seals from tippets through ebay
they were cheaper than silvers honda seals

Thanks for that I'll get some ordered