fork seal update

[Goldenroad66]

Tried to heat em up and I also tried the sharp chisel. No success from either method. Wouldn't doubt if these are the original 36 year old seals because these little boogers really don't want to come out and I dont know what to do! I'm almost tempted to do a full front end swap so I'll never have to deal with this. Poor poor poor design from honda on the front end.

[robin1731]

Not a poor design at all. Way too many have been removed to make that statement. I've used Randakks tool to remove a lot of fork seals. I will say the GL1000's are some of the worst. But the tool worked every time. Not a design flaw.

[Goldenroad66]

Oh I wasn't talking about the tool, but the actual fork design compared to other bikes where you can just pull on the tubes until the seal pops out. Really not sure what to do now though. It's like they're cemented in

[CYBORG]

You may be correct on the cement theory. Sounds like you might be a victim of a previous owner who did just that. I've never seen ones installed correct, come out that hard

[robin1731]

Oh I wasn't talking about the tool, but the actual fork design compared to other bikes where you can just pull on the tubes until the seal pops out. Really not sure what to do now though. It's like they're cemented in

I knew what you meant. Kawasaki KZ900/1000 fork seals go in the same way the GL1000's do.

[Whiskerfish]

You got a bike shop local? Might be worth having them at least look at it.

[Goldenroad66]

You got a bike shop local? Might be worth having them at least look at it.

Yeah we've got a local Honda shop but they don't work on anything pre 1982. I'll try to talk to one of the techs though.

[Goldenroad66]

Oh I wasn't talking about the tool, but the actual fork design compared to other bikes where you can just pull on the tubes until the seal pops out. Really not sure what to do now though. It's like they're cemented in

I knew what you meant. Kawasaki KZ900/1000 fork seals go in the same way the GL1000's do.

That's good to know. We've got a local kawi shop here so I'll go up there and see if they can help me

[Goldenroad66]

Finally got them off! Remade my tool with a thicker/harder steel and they shimmyd out with the help of my torch (thanks for the tip wog). What should I use/do to clean out the seal area they're rusted here and there

[Goldenroad66]

Also, should I use some extremely fine crocus cloth to clean up any scratches where the seal seats?

[Goldenroad66]

Is kerosene ok to clean inside ?

[sunnbobb]

Yes, and I use a brass brush on a dremel to clean them out

[Dirty Dave]

I couldn't believe how hard it was to remove/install the fork seasl in my 78 & 79. I hammered the heck out of the seals to drive them in with the appropriate sized socket thinking,
"I'm NEVER gonna be able to get these out again." Relatively easy with 84 forks IMHO.

[mrtwowheel]

Kerosene should be OK. Toothbrush, Scotch-Brite, I think a brass brush would be too hard on the aluminum. Maybe sharpen the edge of a plastic putty knife.

Scott

[Goldenroad66]

The area above the seal is can be nicked up some so long as it is not tore up enough to damage the new seal while you are installing it. Just make sure there are no sharp edges so it does not cut the new seal when you are pressing it into place.

Should I have the fork tube fully in the lower leg when installing the new seal, with with the allen bolt screwed into the fork pipe? And when I fill it back with oil should I just fill up from the top? Apologies for the questions that seem to reoccur. I've been getting mixed results with the search option and this is my first go-around if you haven't noticed