Rubber Stopper unavailable - '00 I/S

[jmint]

I'm planning to do a fork rebuild on my 2000 I/S, but the rubber stopper looks to be unavailable everywhere.  Does anyone know where I can get one, or potentially an alternative to this?

PN: 51517-MBY-671

https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/51517-MBY-671

[hubcapsc]

I'm not used to needing one of those on rebuilds. Partzilla has the Tourer one...

-Mike

[sandy]

I’ve rebuilt a dozen or more front ends and have not found those worn out. Are you sure you need one?

[jmint]

No, I'm not sure I need one.  This bike appears to have sat for some time, only 31k miles on the clock.  It looked like it might have been a wear part.

What does this part actually do if it's not a wear part?  I don't see any service limits on it, so I figured it might be like the rear wheel dampers?

Edit: I'm thinking that the tourer is different because the interstate has a heavier front load due to the fairing?

[txtriathlete]

I just did the forks on my 99 IS a few weeks ago with 43K on the clock. Mine was not worn out. It is a damper but I don't think it sees severe use/abuse.

I'd pull the forks apart and look at it. You won't have to tear them down very far to see what it looks like.

My experience in working on this bike and several other old bikes like first gen goldwings is that wear parts tend to be readily available - bearings, seals, carb fitting, water pumps, belts, etc. Its only the random "breakage" pieces that cause issues with unavailability.

Let us know what you discover.

[jmint]

As a follow up to the rubber stopper, it was not damaged or showed wear.  No need to replace!