Wrecked Spacer / Washer front forks

[res1uqtp]

Ok quick question about the front forks on a 79 xs1100 special. I finally got around to tearing them down and under the fork seals, which were fused to the forks at a molecular level, is a washer / seal that yamaha discontinued.

The ones in the forks are wrecked ... unusable. So my question is does anyone have a line on a replacement washer or is this washer even necessary? It looks like it's only serving as a spacer but my search at Lowes and Home Depot came up short.

The local stealer wouldn't even talk to me about it. He told me to bring them in ..... geesh. Wouldn't sell me wheel weights either but that's another story.

[skippy344]

You might try Mikesxs. I found this set:

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-19.html#products

Look for fork seal washers part# 27-1062.

You might call or e-mail and see if they are the same diameter.

Also, try a bearing shop, line Purvis Bearing, here in Texas.

Hope this helps,

[latexeses]

Try not to mention the fact that you own an XS1100 if you call Mikesxs. He really doesn't favor dealing with XS1100's. He gets tired of taking returns on parts ment for XS650's.

[skippy344]

Oh really? I'll keep that in mind if I buy from him. Thanks for the info!

[res1uqtp]

I thought of him but did some prelim research and the xs650 tubes were 35mm. These are 37mm and the washer fits snug into the tube.

I may just take them to a machine shop and say "here .. make this'

[skippy344]

LOL. That'll work!

[latexeses]

Head up to the blue bar at the top of the page and pick on the "search" button and look for "Fork seals". There should be a ton of information there.

[res1uqtp]

We're good ........

Found a set of fork seals on ebay that came with the washers. I need two sets anyway so no harm no foul ...

Carry on discussing .... well something else.

[skippy344]

Are they OEM seals, or Pyramid? I bought a set of Pyramids, and they leaked on the first fork dive! I then bought a set of OEMS from BB and no leaks!

[res1uqtp]

They are these seals made by leakproof. Read some mixed reviews about them but I'm more interested in that washer that you can't buy oem anymore. I figure if I have to throw the seals away I'm still money ahead.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Fork-...Q5fAccessories

[skippy344]

Good call! I like the design of the seals too. It will be interesting to see how well they hold.

Let us know.

[xs11lover]

I just put a set of leak proof seals on the special.....have not had it out of the garage yet. The washer that comes with them goes on the top of the seal. You will still need to pick one up for them bottom. Georgefix on ebay is very helpful to the xs11 owner. He doesn't carry leak proof seals but he told me he would order them for us. Odds are he could sell you the washer too.

I had a heck of a time getting my old seals out too. After messing with them for a while, with oil and a pry bar I ended up filling the sink with scalding hot water and letting them set for about 20 min. They popped out without a struggle after that.

[bikerphil]

On those Special forks, I usually drive the seal all the way down (no bottom washer), put the washer and a custom PVC spacer of the correct height, then the spring clip.