Fork Seal Replacement

[cywelchjr]

I have two questions concerning fork seal replacement. Every where I read seems to point to the standard having non-air forks, and using a different seal than the special. That said, my 80 standard appears to have air fittings on the top of the forks and I have a blown seal (leakage in small amounts but clearly more than just seepage).

Does the 80 standard have air forks or did the PO do something frankenstien to it? And just how hard is it to change these things as I don't have a garage to work on it in so I'm stuck working in the driveway/front yard (not even a carport as they have that full of stuff from moving and have it covered with a tarp).

Also if it does have air forks I'm not in a position to change to progressive springs and elimiated the air right now, but everywhere I look shows the same oil seal for the forks for standards from 78 through 81. IIRC air forks need a different seal (that has a double lip I understand). Do I order the special seals or are they different yet?

Thanks in advance.

[bikerphil]

80 and up Standard came with air forks. The seals should be 37 X 49 X 8. I don't know if you can find those double lipped seals. I would run the regular seals, stock springs with no air. If you have too much sag, you can add a 3/4" spacer on top of the spring to stiffen it up a bit, or even increase the fluid level a bit.

[Giggity]

Cy,
I'm having a heck of a time removing the old fork seals. Any hints?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Giggity,

I hate to ask it, but did you remove the compression "C" ring above the seal first?? They can get corroded, rusty, etc. and can be a little difficult to see and differentiate from the seal!?

But if you have, then just a matter of pliers, a pry bar, whatever you can wedge or get a hold of it with to tear, lift, pry it out!
T.C.