Need fork help

[Jess from VA]

I have been noticing just a little bit of strange substance on my timing belt cover for the last two rides.  Thinking it was antifreeze, I checked all over and could find no leak, and the residue was not sweet to the taste.  Went out for a short ride yesterday and nothing.  I wanted to ride down to Marlinton WV to meet Joe & Co., but this issue has been nagging me.  So I went out again today.  My third stop, I have more than a bit of goop on my timing belt cover, on both sides, and am looking all around the radiator, hoses, clamps, and it dawns on me.... both sides??

So I look at my forks and both are leaking fork oil, right worse than left.  I figure the right went first, and the left couldn't take all the stress and let loose too.  I limped home OK. 

So they must come off and be rebuilt.  I already have Progressive springs.   

Now please remind me the OE fork parts you want to replace every time the forks are off.  I'm pretty sure it is the 1) fork sliders, and 2) fork oil seals. 

Dust seals? Other?   Thanks in advance.

http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=148538&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=1999&fveh=3473 

[X Ring]

Sent you the parts list.

Marty

[Bobbo]

Thinking it was antifreeze, I checked all over and could find no leak, and the residue was not sweet to the taste.

Please tell me you didn't lick the timing cover!    

[Jess from VA]

Burned my tongue too.   

[hubcapsc]

Hey Jess... both sides are different, and you have to overcome spring pressure (in a different way)
on each side... I borrowed the special tool to do one side, don't remember much about it other than
the tool made it easy...

I used a PVC elbow to mash down this rod so that that I could unscrew the retainer on the other side...



If you don't have a manual, check the one Dag put at Valkyrie Norway... you can get details on
lots of stuff you need, how refill the fluid, both by volume and by "distance from the top"... it also
lists all the wear items, I got them all and only used the ones that showed wear.

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

Thanks Mike, but I will very likely have my forks done by a pro (a good man knows his limitations).  I will try to remove them to take them in, but I will not rebuild them.  I'll order all the parts, set up a time when I can get a quick turnaround, and let my man do them for a fair price.  If he'll let me, I'll assist to learn something.

The last  time I worked on forks on a bike, I undid everything, but no springs came out.  I wondered what I did wrong.  I kept my head averted and whacked the tube with a rubber mallet, and the spring and sliders/spacers/parts flew out at high velocity, over my shed and fence into the neighbors back yard.  This is why I keep a picture of the Three Stooges in my bike shed.

I don't do carburetors for the same reason.... spring loaded stuff flies away to never be seen again.

[Jess from VA]

Thanks for the assist Marty.  Owe you .... again.

[GOOSE]

jess from va....when i do mine, i just replace the seals, and the dust seals.