Fork seal replacement

[kruzuki]

My right front fork seal is leaking. I figure with 33,000 km on the bike, a lot of it on potholed, crappy city streets combined with bumpy country roads will do that eventually.

Local independant shop quoted me $240.00 labor + $80.00 for the parts for the job. He said he only replaces fork seals in pairs. Sounds pricey.

My local Suzuki dealer says they will rebuild the forks for $80.00 each + parts and it's not necessary to do both sides if only one is leaking. I can bring in the fork leg myself, or pay the extra $75.00/hour labor to remove the fork.

I don't want to rebuild the fork myself, but I will take it off for servicing.

Do you need to remove the fairings to get the fork leg off?

[jbo197]

Yes, you will need to get to the fork clamps to remove the fork.

[bob393]

Very straight forward.
Support the front of the bike so you can get the front wheel off and slide the fork tube off the triple clamp. Remove the caliper and hang it from some wire so it doesn't hang from the brake line. Remove the flat fork brace and the fender. Loosen the two triple clamp bolts and slide the fork tube down and out.
And that should do it.

[Mattaua]

fork seals are like $8 for a pair of OEM or if you wanna go big like $25 for some fancy supposedly leak proof. Fork oil is about $7 for a quart which you basically need a jug per fork so for parts you should be right around $20 on the low end and maybe $50 on the high end. labor is what gets you. My buddy and me rebuilt the forks on my 90 600. Just gotta have the right tools etc and its not too hard but kind of tedious.

[woobie]

Head over to gtamotorcycle and find the guy that does repairs, I'll look his name up but it escapes me right now.

You can DIY for about $40 if you have the room to work and some tools. It's not hard at all although an impact gun is highly recommended. Takes maybe 2-3 hours tops.

I'd be calling a few other shops, maybe try Rosey Toes or Pannon motosports for another quote.

[Wolfe_UK]

Head over to gtamotorcycle

For some reason I instinctively read that as meaning Grand Theft Auto Motorcycle

[woobie]

For some reason I instinctively read that as meaning Grand Theft Auto Motorcycle

lol there are actually a lot of theft posts over there, guys that live in Condo's with underground parking are easy pickings for a couple of guys and a van to steal their bikes. Lately it seems there's 2 or 3 a week posting their bikes were pinched.

[squiggy]

I don't want to rebuild the fork myself, but I will take it off for servicing.

Even though you stated this, are you mechanically inclined?

http://katriders.com/vb/showthread.php?t=90203

[kruzuki]

Finally got to the fork tube. It came out pretty easily. Don't think I'm up for doing the work myself so I'm biting the bullet and dropping it off at the dealership today. They're walking distance from my house so I include convenience as part of the cost!

[kruzuki]

Job is done

Took my fork leg into Hillcrest Suzuki in Richmond Hill Monday for a rebuild. Service guy said the seals would be in on Wednesday.

Got a call yesterday (Thurs)- The fork was done - total on $94.30 - $45 labor, 40 for the seals, + for fork oil + taxes.
Way cheaper than any other quote I got, and at a dealership, no less!
The bike technican came out and told me I saved a lot of money just bringing in the fork leg rather than paying them to remove it.

Took it home and put it all back together. Back on the road!

[vonrapier]

Good ending to a nice story......