fork seal installer tool

[tcmkek]

I need to replace the oil seals on the front forks on my '08 Goldwing Gl1800, the manual recommends the Motion pro fork seal driver. I went to their website but could not find which tool will work, I tried to find one at a couple of local bike shops, and the mechanics there told me to just get some PCV pipe that matches the size of the seal and use it to drive the bushing and seals on. I'm leery of doing this because it may not drive the bushing in properly.
Please advise,

Best Regards,
Tim

[Joe_]

I've done fork seals on a variety of bikes. As for a driver I usually pack the fork to the hardware store and see which size PVC or abs pipe works. You can also split it lengthwise with a saber saw and put a hose clamp around it if it is close but no cigar.
Cut it longer than the tube is collapsed. Be sure the cut is square. Then wack it with a rubber mallet or a hammer and a board.
For od sizes I stop by the autoparts store and they sell 18" or 24" sections of muffler pipe that is sometimes the correct size when standard pipe sizes don't fit properly. One end is flaired the other isn't that gives you two sizes. The seals nor top bushing don't take much pressure to get in.

Then there is the way this guy does it to give you more ideas:


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Main thing is to find out if you need to make a clamp to control the top cap and spring when you take them out. I believe on the 1500's you do. Could ruin the first thread without it or worse loose your teeth. Don't know on an 1800.

[tcmkek]

Thanks Joe! That video really helped. I just happen to have some scraps of pvc pipe stashed in my basement so that will save a trip to the hardware store!
Best Regards,

Tim

[Dogsled]

after you cut the tube to length and saw it lengthwise, make sure you clean the inside of the PVC of ANY debris. Scratching the chrome on the tube is 'death' for that part. I've used several lubes on the chrome to get it down to the seal, take your time, Delboys is one of the better you tubes to watch. I've done alot of seals, if you're not in that position and this is your one and only time Delboys will tell you everything you gotta know. Good luck......Oh yeah, always use Veshrah seal, they're the best

[Dusty Boots]

Yes. I used a piece of ABS pipe with a slit cut down the centre sized longer than the fork tube to drive home the seal.

Save your money for gas!

[WingAdmin]

I used the Motion Pro seal driver when I rebuilt my GL1500 forks:





It is super easy to use, comes apart clamshell-like so you can use it with a fork already installed on the bike, and doesn't require sizing or cutting a PVC tube.

[Joe_]

There is a seal install in the DIY section in the gl1500 heading.
In it you can find an example of a home made clamp/spring compressor to get the top cap off without knocking your teeth out.
It's in the replies after the article/tutorial.
The one I am referring to uses a couple of lengths of 2 x4 and some running thread to get the job done.
If you can't find the picture, post and I will look for it when time permits.

[XJSRider]

He talks about, and other posts I've read hear mention, driving the "bush" down, the 2nd teflon coated piece.

Mine just dropped in... I followed wingadmin's guide. Replace the teflon piece at bottom of fork. Then on upper fork drop in 2nd teflon piece, metal disc, put upper into lower fork, place in seal, then drive seal. nothing about driving the "bush" am I missing something?

[XJSRider]

So the answer to my own question- driving the seal ends up indirectly driving the slide/guide bushings together. I made sure they were flush with each other and at correct depth before driving in the seal.