front fork seal

[JoBoy68]

doing my front fork seals following a youtube vid and I can not get the seal all the way down to show the cir clip slot I lubed everything
with ATF went over where the seal sits with 2000 grit and could not see any blemishes or bad spots using a piece of PVC trying to seat the seal

[Rambozo]

Did you compare the new seal with the old to make sure they are the same height?

[two_wheeled]

If you're still stuck with this,
pull the tube up again to check if the top teflon bushing is seated properly and all the way down in. If that bushing is off, or not seated all the way, it will prevent the seal from going all the way down in.
I've done seals a bunch of times on different bikes including the GL1800.

[JoBoy68]

I have been trying for 2 days to get that seal seated it goes in about a 1/4 inch and stops I do not have a teflon bushing there was a teflon washer but it got discarded
there is a metal washer with a lip the seal sits on that drops right in no problem.
the most common response I have got is you have to beat the hell out of it , no seal should be that difficult, I followed a very detailed youtube Vid . 83 Interstate

[JoBoy68]

UPDATE .......I heated the fork sleeve and the seal with a hair drier Hit it like 3 times and it seated

[two_wheeled]

Thanks for the update! Inquiring minds were wondering if you got it.

[JoBoy68]

yes got the fork seals and the progressive springs in

[JoBoy68]

yes got the fork seals and the progressive springs in

[Sig45227]

UPDATE .......I heated the fork sleeve and the seal with a hair drier Hit it like 3 times and it seated

I had the same issue, warmed my leg tops up with a propane torch and they finally seated using an actual tool made for the job.

[JoBoy68]

I have a shop manual for my 83 and this is what it shows for seating the fork seal

[Rex Mericle]

I own several Hondas. Two 83 CX650Custom, 1985 Nighthawk and 1994 GW Interstate. I handmade seal drivers using a length of PVC pipe, with an applicable diameter. I made sure the driving end of the PVC "tool" was cut square. Having done that I lightly polished off the square edges slightly to give that end a smooth surface to avoid cutting the seals. Placing the "bottom leg" (padded) in a vice, I've always been able to drive the seals, to a proper seat, with a dead blow hammer. The 83 CX seals were done in 2013 and are still working fine. I haven't done my Wing because I plan to do the steering head bearings at the same time. Front and rear wheel bearings were done two years ago along with the brake rotors and pads. I need to do the seals because it's showing the front end dive under normal braking.

[Porrachico]

el problema es que la arandela conica se deforma al desarmar. Gastala con una amoladora y fijate que entre libre en la botella. A mi me paso lo mismo.

[braithwaite]

Yes I did my front folk seals on GL 1100 I purchased two 6 mm threaded bars and used the old seals cut in half to compress the new ones in. You can hold one end on the end of the folk shaft were the wheel fits. Then on top of the seals use two washers cut in half. ( but beware not to foul the ram part of folk ) little bit of cloth. Once you have compression just a slight tap and you will be able to fit circlip. All this with folks still on bike.
Have heard some people use blocks of PTFE again cut in half. These are good as they will not scratch.
My mistake from new was I always pumped up front folks on air line. Since have always used a hand pump same as your push cycle after all you only need 15 psi. But take it to 18psi and when you take off valve 15 is there.
Hope this helps. Richard.

[agedbikeman]

I had exactly the same problem, I bought the seals from Ebay, one went in only just with a lot of BLF, the other no way, I put one of the old seals back and it went straight in with just a few taps, I didn't mention I bought the correct drift tool for the job, so with one new seal and one old one ( seals were not leaking to start with, was fitting new springs).
Re-assembled, all was ok for a few weeks then the new one started to leak, these were Pyramid brand seals. I complained to the vendor who ignored me, but Ebay gave me a full refund.

I then bought an OEM fork seal from a Honda dealer, twice the price of the full seals and bushes kit, pulled the leaky fork and the NEW seal was just a mangled mess, the OEM one went in with a few light taps, all re-assembled now 1 year on no leaks, no problems.

I don't know what was wrong, I compared the Pyramid seal with the OEM one using a vernier caliper, both were the same.

Buy OEM seals, they fit

Alex