fork seals leaking

[Jason]

I have a fork seal leaking and need help to get it fixed would like to do it my self because the dealer wants way to much I have tried the 35 mm film trick on it already and it did not work  the shop talk section has no info on this  anything yall can give me I would be grateful.  thank you   

[Hoovey]

Here's a link to some videos that will take you through  changing the seals .

VTX 1800 Fork Seals Part 1.wmv	powered by Aeva

Good Luck!!

[hubcapsc]

http://www.valkyrienorway.com/ has lots of stuff, including a Honda Valkyrie Shop manual PDF
and a video of Dag working on his forks without removing them from his bike (I haven't looked at the
video in a while, hope I'm not describing it wrong...)

I changed my fork seals using the manual, which lists all the possible wear parts, and has a step by
step procedure to follow.

There's a honda special tool specified in the shop manual, a VRCC member from this tech board loaned
me his when I posted here asking if anyone had one they'd loan.

I've taken cartridge forks on dirt bikes apart a bunch of times, so I knew what to expect to find on the
inside of a set of forks, but parts is parts and the manual is clear, it is not a big job... Stanley Steamer
sez I have a lot of patience, so that might help too 

Each side is different, the special tool is needed only on one side. Each side has giant spring, of course,
and it is compressed and so one of the first steps on each side is to overcome that compression and
get the spring out... for less that $100 you can replace the springs with Progressive (brand) springs
and change your forks from adequate to awesome...

Here's me using a plumbing elbow to mash down on the rod in the left fork to release the spring pressure
so that I can unscrew the retainer... the special tool is for the right side, I don't remember much about
that other than it is no biggie if you have the tool...



-Mike

[0leman]

A little over 10K miles ago, I had a serious leak in both front forks.  Pulled the forks off and took them to a Bike shop in Reno, NV to get fixed.  Per agreement with shop owner, I bought new seals before I took the forks in.  It cost me an hour's worth of time ($70) to get the seals changed.  After changing the seals on my Spirit in my garage, it was a lot easier to take the forks to a bike shop.   I did go with 15 wt. fork oil.

[hubcapsc]

A little over 10K miles ago, I had a serious leak in both front forks.  Pulled the forks off and took them to a Bike shop in Reno, NV to get fixed.  Per agreement with shop owner, I bought new seals before I took the forks in.  It cost me an hour's worth of time ($70) to get the seals changed.  After changing the seals on my Spirit in my garage, it was a lot easier to take the forks to a bike shop.   I did go with 15 wt. fork oil.

About six months before I did the job right myself, I took my forks to the local Honda dealer to
put in my progressive springs... I'd just got the bike, and was doing a lot of work on it, and figured
it would be easy to get the shop to drop in my new springs... they didn't even put in new seals (I gave
them permission to, I guess I should have told him to), charged me $300 (I supplied the fork
oil) and they were leaking soon after.

Follow Oleman's advice about having a firm agreement about everything up front...

-Mike

[Jason]

Thank you all for your knowledge and experiences I believe I can tackle my problem now my 98 valkyrie is my first bike this site has been so helpful in doing all the things that I have done so far from hand grips, two brothers exhaust, oil changes, tires, thanks again

[F6Dave]

Chet (of Rattlebars.com) posted here a few years back with a method to change the seals with the forks on the bike, and without Honda's special left fork tool.  I've changed seals by following the manual, and with Chet's method, and Chet's method is MUCH easier.  I saved a copy somewhere and I'll look for it and post it.