What to expect?

[schpiff]

I had minor front fork seal leak....figured I could limp it out this summer...WRONG!..Got worse fast.
Just wanna know what to expect when I dig in.
The Clymer shows it as pretty straightforward.
I guess what I am wonderin is..
What could get wrecked in the process? (what to buy?)
Its an 81 with somthing like 11-12k on it... PO always parked on the center stand when parked for any time.. (should I expect to buy springs while its apart??)
While being pretty confident in my mechanical ability..I still know that things go funny sometimes
..usually the night before the "ride"
Any additional info is/would be most appreciated
DANG..Almost forgot the most important part!!! WHERE TO GET THE BEST PRICE FOR GOOD PARTS >>FAST!!!

[sixtysix]

I would up grade to Progressive springs in front, unless you like using air in the forks. It is not necessary though. Fork Seals are easy to find almost everybody has them. Even Dennis Kirk or a mail order place can overnight them but they will be expensive. Start calling Yamaha dealers, if not in stock then ask how fast for aftermarket. All you should need is fresh fork oil and the seals unless the clips under the dust boot are rusty and rotted. And new brake pads if they dumped on them.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Schpiff,

I had to replace mine when I put new uppers on. The C-rings are fun to get out, make sure you have a good tool. Also, you'll need some locktite for that bolt on the bottom of the lowers when you go to put it back together. There is supposed to be a special tool/socket combo that you'll need to put down the inside of the upper tube to hold the inner damper tube still while you remove the lower bolt from the end of the lower tube, but I don't remember having to. And I had it all very dry when I went to put it back together, was able to tighten the bottom bolt fairly easily again IIRC, without that special tool(but plenty of locktite), but then I might have just used a socket and couple of long wrench extensions, can't remember now after a couple of years....that old age thing!!! You may find all of this easier by taking the entire forks out of the triple tree and off of the bike. The C-ring will be ontop of the seal, you'll need to remove the ring before trying to pull the seal!!

Good Luck....T.C.