Fork seal question

[XSive_speed]

Hi all,

After replacing my fork seals with new ones (pyramid parts), they are still leaking. I noticed this is particularly bad after I put any air on the forks (normally about 7 lb). Trying to fix this, I noticed two things -

First, should I be able to see the coiled spring inside the seal? I suspect that I installed them upside down.

Second, after reading, it seems like there is a special seal recommended for air forks, a triple-lip seal? Does anyone have a photo so I can compare it to my seals?

Because I run a Windjammer fairing, I would like to stiffen up the front end and improve handling, but at this point it sounds like I'm going to have to put in progressives and maybe cartridge adapters or a fork brace to get the handling back to where it should be. Any recommendations?

Thanks,

[petejw]

Hi all,

First, should I be able to see the coiled spring inside the seal? I suspect that I installed them upside down.

second, after reading, it seems like there is a special seal recommended for air forks, a triple-lip seal? Does anyone have a photo so I can compare it to my seals?

Because I run a Windjammer fairing, I would like to stiffen up the front end and improve handling, but at this point it sounds like I'm going to have to put in progressives and maybe cartridge adapters or a fork brace to get the handling back to where it should be. Any recommendations?

Thanks,

hey there john,
no u shouldnt be able to see the inside spring of the seal, sounds like u
have put them in upside down.

im not aware of any tripple lip seal, but there are double lip seals available.

[bikerphil]

Yes, the spring side of the seal faces down. According to Yamaha, the air and non air type forks use the same seal, it might be triple lip, not sure though. The genuine Yamaha seal part # is 2H7-23145-00-00. They would be your best bet if you are using air assist. I use the Parts Unlimited brand seals from Dennis Kirk, they seem to hold up fine for me, cost much less too, YMMV. I don't run air assist anymore (so 80's ) If your fork tubes have a few dings/pits in them, then I would go with the Leak Proof brand. As for stiffening up the front end, either get some heavier springs, or add some preload spacers to your existing springs and/or try a heavier oil, 15 or 20 weight. Increasing the oil level slightly will reduce dive on braking. A fork brace and emulators are also a great improvement for these bikes.

[motoman]

OEM fork seals are still available from Yammy for the Standards. My Venturer being 30yrs.old is on its SECOND set of OEM seals with 80+K on it......guess that would be a testament as to what brand seals to use. Learned that early on with moto-cross racing too. That is one area you wanna use OEM if possible! Due to a slight orfice enlargement over the years of use and friction(yes, the oil from friction WILL slightly enlarge orfice), have gone to 15w Silcolene fork oil and front still works very well as it did when new.