Fork seals discontinued for my XJ1100?

[justme1100]

After reading the threads regarding replacing these oil seals everyone recomends using the OEM seals because aftermarkets tend to leak almost as soon as you hit the road but the Dealer sez that they don't make them and to go with aftermarket. Are there any good brands I should look for?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Just,

OEM part #: 10M-23145-00-00

Well, I just checked BikeBandit's OEM parts listing, and they have the fork seals GREYED OUT, you can't put a quantity even though they show the part, so it looks like what the dealer told you is correct. I did find a listing for them still on www.cycle-parts.com but they only sell $75.00 worth as minimum order, and the seals were listed at $17.00 each.

So...you may have no choice but aftermarket, but you may not have much choice as brand, since the bike is pretty much an orphan, 1 year production run in USA, 3 for Canada, but few #'s there!?

Partsnmore has some listed as being made in JAPAN, for $10.00 a PAIR! If you use air in your front forks, you could reduce the stress on the seals by NOT using air, put in some progressive springs, most report not needing air after using them, and that may help the aftermarket ones to last, not leak so soon.
T.C.

[thewiz]

I just used a set on PNM's seals ..

on my G. About 500 miles so far with 7lbs of air and no problems yet. Perhaps the problems with 'em have yet to come and there's not really enogh miles on 'em to make a definitive statement .... but .... they're still holding air and oil thus far.

[randy]

Speed and Sport shows 20 in stock, but they want $29.70 each!

Part Number Description Model Prefix On Hand Price Add Cart
1 10M-23145-00-00 OIL SEAL XJ1100 J 10M 20 $29.70


http://216.168.60.165/speedandsportinc/index.tpl

[justme1100]

Thanx again. Yea, I have used Bike Bandit a few times and I found the OEM part nos. earlier so it looks as if I will just take my chances with aftermarket and look into progressive springs, I saw the post on the earlier as well. I found out to late that I have a one year bike but that has been a problem with most the vehicles I have owned. Just figured I would ask as if you don't ask those who know it just costs more money and I ain't rich by no means

[Miti-Babe]

After reading the threads regarding replacing these oil seals everyone recomends using the OEM seals because aftermarkets tend to leak almost as soon as you hit the road but the Dealer sez that they don't make them and to go with aftermarket. Are there any good brands I should look for?

I'm absolutely 99% certain that the fork seals in the XJ (10M) are the same seals as those used in the non-USA/CAN models: Sport (5K7) and RH (5N5). These were fitted in just about ALL the XS11 "Special" models, SF, SG, SH and are available under the part number 3H3-23145-00-00.

To be absolutely sure, check the part number moulded onto the seal itself... The number is 37-48-11 (37mm id, 48mm od and 11mm thick). IIRC, the standard XS's use a slightly thinner, 9mm seal...

And just FYI... Most oil seals are manufactured to the same tightly controlled specifications... However, they're not all FITTED the same way and that's why some fail, where others don't... I always keep the old seal to use as a drift/buffer when knocking the new ones into place... They tend to fit squarer that way and don't get belted all out of shape...

HTH

Miti

[BlackD1114]

I'm not sure if you've checked out the web site xjbikes.com but if you haven't there is a member on the site that runs his buisness through the site and he exclusively sells parts for the all of the xj's. Here is a link to the section where you can find aftermarket for seals for $21. Scroll down near the bottom of the page to find your bike and the parts you're looking for.
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/.../start=45.html

[trbig]

I'm not sure if you've checked out the web site xjbikes.com

I joined that website and got to post one time. Every time since, I sign in.. it'll say welcome.. and if I try to respond to something it will tell me to sign in again. So I sign in again. try to respond and it wants me to sign in again. I think I can hear laughter in the background each time.. lol. Never have been able to get on there to post anything since and can't find anyone to talk to about it.

So.. I always come back here to harrass all you nice folks.

you can find aftermarket for seals for $21.

Finding aftermarket seals isn't a problem. It's trying to find the OEM seals that is. The OEM seals are supposed to be a much better quality.

Tod

[thewiz]

Have only installed one set of fork seals ...

on an XS11 but I have installed dozens and dozens of oil and grease seals in other applications and Miti hits the main point very well

I always keep the old seal to use as a drift/buffer when knocking the new ones into place... They tend to fit squarer

I found a PVC slip coupler around (which of course I can't find now to measure) but it is nearly exactly the same size as the seal's outer ring and then used it to drift the seal the final millimeter. As he says, the seal must be dead square to the tube or it will leak pretty quick ... I did notice a tendency for the seal to be maybe about a quarter of a millimeter cocked if not drifted in there just right.

[windysolar1]

xjbikes.com

is there anyone that knows how to contact xjbikes please ?

as for talking to a human no chance.

[XS1100 Newbie]

I installed leakproof seals on my Special last year. It has been about 3000 miles, and no problems. I think that part of the problem comes with installation. Clean and cautious.

[XS1100 Newbie]

Just looked on XJbikes.com, and Chacal shows premium red seals for it. $21.00 a pair. I tend to trust this man's idea of quality. I wouldn't be afraid of using these. I don't know why he isn't on this site as well. He has a great supply of parts.

[thewiz]

I agree about Chacal ... I have exchanged a few emails with him and he seems pretty trustworthy.