Author Topic: Changing the Fork Seal  (Read 4674 times)

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Offline Botond

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Changing the Fork Seal
« on: June 18, 2018, 15:18:24 »
Hello blokes,

So My "new" V-strom already needs to be fixed which I am not very happy about but at least I can spend a bit more time in the garage with her....  :fix:

My right fork leaks and I have tried to clean it with a plastic sheet similar as the Seal Buddy but it didn't solve the problem. I got a quote from a local garage for changing the seal for £120 ish which sounds fair as it isn't a 5 minutes job but I would like to do it by myself as I love spending time fixing my bike and it would save me some £££ although I haven't done this job before.

My question is should I go with original Suzuki parts or should I got something cheaper? I was looking at eBay and found this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fork-Oil-Seal-Kit-Suzuki-DL-650-A-V-Strom-ABS-2007-2015/192190852927?hash=item2cbf77af3f:g:5UsAAOSw~FJZHdv-

I am not sure if I will need the slide bush and oil as well.

Any suggestions where should I buy the parts and if I should change the Slide Bush,oil and other small parts as I am already there or not?

Thank you,
Botond
ETZ 125 - Varadero 125 - Vstrom 650 - CB1000R - Vstrom 1000  - NC750X - R1200GS

Offline Mudster

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #1 on: June 18, 2018, 17:43:38 »
You may get a few opinions, but my view is to use genuine Suzuki seals. I would only change the bushes if they had excessive wear though.

Changing fork oil at the same time is a no brainer.

Offline UK_Vstrom650

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #2 on: June 18, 2018, 19:04:58 »
I replaced mine recently. If I recall used Pyramid branded seals on mine last summer but I may have a leak already?  :bawl: (it could just be dirt)  I'd buy OEM next time.

I only replaced seals (oil/dust) and the fork oil.

Offline kwackboy

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #3 on: June 18, 2018, 21:31:12 »
OEM only. Unless your stanchions are pitted /worn it's false economy otherwise.
Chief trouble maker 🙂

Offline Loz

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #4 on: June 19, 2018, 07:10:54 »
OEM or Japanese made NOK, be wary of purchasing through ebay as lots of fakes about.

Was the £120 quote with you taking the forks off the bike? as I'd expect to pay no more than £60 /£80 for both forks.

Offline Botond

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2018, 08:31:15 »
Thank you very much for all the replies!

OEM parts are £50-60 but as you all  said it’s worth the extra and not worry although as I watched more tutorials how to do it I realised I might going to struggle without the right tools.

The £120 quote was me dropping the bike off and they do all the work. I hope they meant to change both forks but I will confirm that today and I might try to get more quotes in from different places .
ETZ 125 - Varadero 125 - Vstrom 650 - CB1000R - Vstrom 1000  - NC750X - R1200GS

Offline kwackboy

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2018, 09:17:28 »
Was this qoute of £120 with genuine OEM seals and dust seals ? If so that's pretty good .
Chief trouble maker 🙂

Offline Botond

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2018, 13:38:43 »
Yeap, I got 3 different quotes from 3 garages in my area. All with genuine OEM Seals and oil change for both forks. £220+VAT , £240 all in, and these blokes’ offer for £120 all in. I might found my new favourite garage in the area!  :grin: There name is Japstar Motorcycle in West Ealing. I will keep you blokes updated on the quality of the work but they seemed like reasonable fellas and friendly through the phone.
ETZ 125 - Varadero 125 - Vstrom 650 - CB1000R - Vstrom 1000  - NC750X - R1200GS

Offline UK_Vstrom650

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #8 on: June 19, 2018, 14:17:42 »
I'd say £120 including OEM seals and fork oil is a bargain. It took me ages to do mine, although I am much quicker at dropping he forks now & there is a sense achievement  :fix:

Offline Loz

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #9 on: June 20, 2018, 06:50:44 »
I've not had to do the Vstrom's so far, but I've done other bikes fork seals, K5 1000, CBR600RR and various dirt bikes in a couple of hours.
Someone previously mentioned the bushes, ask the garage to check them and change them if they are worn, as getting forks apart when they stick due to being worn is a right pia  :icon_batterup:

Offline Botond

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2018, 14:32:16 »
 :ty: for all of your advises and inputs.

I picked up my white stallion today and the bloke did a very nice job on it. End up paying £135 as he had to change the dust seals as well not just the Oil seals but still a good price and I am happy with it. He checked the bushes as well and it looked fine. He also pointed out the front brake is a bit spongy and as you pump it it gets a bit harder. He said the brake pads looks new so it might be because it just had been recently changed or some air could be in the system and need to flush the brake fluid pipes.

Anyways the bloke is based in West Ealing if anyone need quick and reliable service I can only recommend him. (Japstar Motorcycles) :thumb:
ETZ 125 - Varadero 125 - Vstrom 650 - CB1000R - Vstrom 1000  - NC750X - R1200GS

Offline UK_Vstrom650

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #11 on: June 21, 2018, 21:02:28 »
Bargain price. I just paid £70 for seals from Fowlers and £10 for oil. I just have the fun of changing them again on Saturday.  :fix:

For your brakes, try using a cable-tie on the lever over night to get the air out. That usually firms it up.

Offline Botond

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #12 on: June 22, 2018, 00:02:03 »
Nice, Thank you I will try.

Can I tag along for that seal/oil change?  Haha :grin:
I would love to learn how to do it at some point . :obscene-drinkingchug:
Btw how often do you have to change seals and oil in the forks?
ETZ 125 - Varadero 125 - Vstrom 650 - CB1000R - Vstrom 1000  - NC750X - R1200GS

Offline UK_Vstrom650

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #13 on: June 22, 2018, 08:25:09 »
My first change was last summer = 5 years old and around 30,000 miles of all year riding. But I didn't use OEM so are having to do them again this year  :dl_smiley_banghead:

If you want to see how it's done, here's a good video (or you can ride up to W. Yorkshire tomorrow  :grin:)



Offline Botond

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #14 on: June 24, 2018, 00:25:13 »
Thank you for the video! I need a proper garage to be able to do more work on the bike. Hopefully in a near future...

That would be a nice trip to W. Yorkshire, I keep it in mind for next time! :icon_wink: :obscene-drinkingchug:
ETZ 125 - Varadero 125 - Vstrom 650 - CB1000R - Vstrom 1000  - NC750X - R1200GS

Offline vstroman

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #15 on: October 07, 2021, 21:26:33 »
Just had some proper fun getting the front mudguard off, such a stupid design, anyway now I can't get the 6mm allen bolt to loosen on the damper rod assembly, I'm afraid to give it too much muscle in case I strip the head off it, any tips?


Offline joethebike

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #16 on: October 07, 2021, 23:13:17 »
Every time I read a post about changing fork seals the same question pops up in my mind, were fork boots installed?
My 2005 DL650 at 123,000km and my 1982 Honda CX500EC at 266,000km have them and both have never leaked a drop from the fork seals.
1972 Suzuki T350 @180,000km, 1982Honda CX500EC @ 272,900km, 2005 DL650 @147,400km

Offline vstroman

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #17 on: October 07, 2021, 23:37:55 »
No fork boots on mine, next time I get a new bike I'll be fitting fork boots right away, I can't get this allen bolt to shift at all, I think if I had the right sized deep reach allen socket on an impact gun it would shift easy enough, may end up having to take the forks in to a bike shop now, I would rather have done everything myself and given everything a good clean, some new tools needed for my garage I think soon.

Offline Gert

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #18 on: October 08, 2021, 07:36:54 »
@Botond, as a matter of interest, what V-Strom do you have? Your profile only shows the BMW. Does your ride have the upside down oriented fork tubes or the regular as used on the 1st gen V-Strom?

Offline STORMY

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Re: Changing the Fork Seal
« Reply #19 on: October 10, 2021, 21:54:48 »


Just a note of caution regarding Dels garage, be careful following this blokes vids and advice some of his practices are just wrong or incorrect. I think one of his best fails was telling folk to get the engine up to working temperature before removing a hose / to flush the system - he removed the vid quickly because of the sh*t storm of complaints - but that sums him up to be honest.
If you ignore your teeth, eventually they’ll go away