XS11 forks

[vacancy]

i'm putting in new fork seals. got the tubes out and drained, but that alan bolt in the bottom keeps twisting and twisting and twisting. did i strip it out? do i need a special tool? i sure hope i don't need a new fork tube. additionally, the tube tops are totally different in the manual than on the bike. everything always takes ten times longer than imagined, doesn't it?

-jon

[ratbyk]

Fork Seals

Jon, go to the left side column and do a "search" on fork seals. It will give you more info on overcoming your problem than you need.
Ken/Sooke

[John]

One way to cheat with out taking the forks apart is to remove the forks from the triple clamps one at a time. Unbolt the fender, and the calipers,and remove the front wheel. Loosen the pinch bolts on the triple clamps, and twist and pull the fork out of the clamp. Remove the dust seals, and the C-clips retaining the seal. Dig out the old seal with some kind of stout pick. The new ones can be slid down over the upper tube and then set into place with 2 pieces of pvc pipe used like a slide hammer. Hold one tight to the seal and slid the other one down, stricking the first, driving the seal into it's bore. Replace the other pieces and put them back into the triple clamps.

[mixelpix]

Originally posted by John
The new ones can be slid down over the upper tube and then set into place with 2 pieces of pvc pipe used like a slide hammer.

Slide hammer? Sounds like a real time saving tip - jut having a little trouble visualizing this part of the process.

Also - does anyone manufacture fork gaiters anymore?

-Patrick "Meet Me In The Archives" Kennedy

[John]

How about a dent puller? That is a slide hammer.

[jetmechmarty]

fork gaiters

Mike's XS has fork gaiters for the XS650. A quick look tells me the part of the fork you wish to cover is about 2-3" longer on the XS1100 Special than the XS650 Special. I don't know anything about the XS1100 standard. The 650 has 35 mm forks.

If you think they might work based on this info, give Mike a call.

http://www.mikesxs.com