Front Fork Oil Seals

[Winnipesaukee]

I have a 1981 XS1100SH. I had the fork oil seals replaced (2 years ago), but continue to see a bit of oil leaking up the forks. The front end seems to be soft, but not quite bottoming out. The mechanic that origianlly did the work no longer is doing this type of work and the regular Yamaha dealer will not work on a bike of that year. This bike is in beautiful condition with only 6000 original miles. Is replacement of the seals a difficult undertaking? Do I need a special tool? I live in New Hampshire. Anybody else in my area? Any advice or information will be most welcome. By the way I live right next to Laconia, NH where each year they hold a huge bike rally.

Thanks
Winnipesaukee

[mainlylinux]

Off Topic

Is " Winnipesaukee" the place where the movie "what about bob" was filmed?

I think the OCC boys from TV showed up at Laconia on one of their shows...

Dan

[DiverRay]

The thing to do is read the "Tech Tips" on the left side of the page. You should be able to get most of your questions answered.
For the most part, fork seals are not that hard. It is easier if you have an air compressor and tools, but can be done with hand tools. Make sure you buy a GOOD seal, the OEM are expensive, but seem to do better than aftermarket seals.
If yuo have questions, just keep posting.
Ray

[John]

By all means get OEM seals if you can. I have nothing but bad luck with aftermarket seals on my 80 SG. I installed OEM seals over 6 years ago with no problems at all. A little expensive at first, but doing the job once is much easier and cheaper than doing it all again in a year or so. There is a member in Hollis, Maine. XSWilly, he's not all that far from you. I happen to come from Fairfield, Maine, myself.

[Winnipesaukee]

Thanks to all for the information and to answer Mainlylinux; yes Lake Winnipesaukee is the place where they filmed the movie "What about Bob" and also other movies like "On Golden Pond". Any rallys planned for the northeast area this summer?
I will contact "xswilly" in Hollis, Maine. That is about 50 miles from me.

Winnipesaukee

[MAXIMAN]

It's not too bad...seal job. I just did it for the first time on my XJ1100.

I just used hand tools. One of the tricks is to get the right size tool to gently drive the new seals back into the fork. I used a 1.5 inch PVC collar (might have been a 1.25...can't remember). In any case it was a perfect fit.

Also be sure and get the slot on the bottom of the inner tube guide assembly lined up with the drain bolt correctly when you put it back together. If not you'll score the little aluminum fitting at the very bottom of the guide.

There are a few other tricks but I can't recall. If you need any help just post here or e-mail one of us.

[Snow]

A tire iron is *extremely* useful when removing OEM seals that refuse to budge - I can take 'em out in 5 seconds flat after I've got the c-clip removed.