Fork seals, job done!

[Baloo]

Well, yesterday was the perfect day for a little wrenching... it's been raining hard most part of the day. So I got in the shop and tore in my leaky fork seals.

Things went out really well, not a problem. I had to fabricate a seal driver out of a piece of ABS pipe, that was the only thing that took me a little longer. I did not have to tear the springs apart as Griphon Rider was mentionning. I took off the tubes from the bike, I find it actually makes things easier and it's only a matter of loosening 3 bolts on each side. I also replaced the air cleaner that I found dirty during the petcock overhaul, but that I had to order because the stealership does not keep that in stock!!  So I'm now back to the petcock problem that I hope to be solved. I'm on extensive road testing around home to make sure everything is ok. But I must say that this part is pretty pleasant...

I'm glad I did it, it was not that bad at all. Thanks to all of you who help with their advises, especially Griphon Rider and F6Dave. 

[F6Dave]

Great to hear your fork seal change went well.  I agree, it is one of those jobs that sounds intimidating, but really isn't that difficult.  Another simple one is a U-joint replacement, which I did as maintenance but really didn't need to.  I was amazed at how easy it was.

Here's another thing I discovered about changing fork seals:  slop a lot of oil (not grease) on them, and they'll be much easier to seat.  And, unless you're replacing the springs, use the easy method where you just remove the top cap, dust seal, and spring clip, and yank the thing apart.