Front Fork Seals?

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Jan 18, 2008 | 08:34 AM

SLC Rider

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Front Fork Seals?

I am getting ready to do a bunch of my maintenance I had planned for the winter. I am ordering parts with plans to do the maintenance in February and hopefully be ready to ride some days come March.

I have been wanting to replace the fork oil for awhile now and I figure I might as well replace the seals why I am at it. If I am to "rebuild" the front forks on the electra glide do I need anything more than the rubber seals? Should I replace anything else why I am there? I figure I will be removing the batwing and adjusting the neck bearings also I want to replace/adjust anything on the front end of the bike that needs it.

--Jay

Jan 18, 2008 | 11:46 AM

miacycles

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From: Bluffton, South Carolina

RE: Front Fork Seals?

Check the bushings, on the older baggers you will often find extra wear pattern on the front and rear portions of the bushings,caused by the weight of the baggers.

Jan 18, 2008 | 12:36 PM

big mahk

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RE: Front Fork Seals?

There's special pullers for the seals and bushings. Last time I did it I took the legs of the bike and the dealer pulled the old stuff for free if I bought a T-shirt.

Jan 18, 2008 | 12:40 PM

SLC Rider

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RE: Front Fork Seals?

Thanks for the reply, what about the springs, do these generally need to be replaced why I am in there? I only have 29k on the bike but it is 14 years old now.

--Jay

Jan 18, 2008 | 01:08 PM

bullelkklr

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RE: Front Fork Seals?

If your bike handles fine up front I would not worry about changing out the springs.

Jan 18, 2008 | 07:12 PM

bigtone

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RE: Front Fork Seals?

For that year bike, you do not need any tools for disassembly. If you dont change springs, you can leave the tubes in the trees. Follow the manual to slide the lowers off. To assemble, get a piece of pvc, split it down the middle, clamp it on the tube to hold the new seal, spacer, and bushings, and tap the lower leg onto the tube. Then use either a pump, pressurized bottle, or vacuum to get the fluid back in.

Jan 18, 2008 | 07:24 PM

89 FXRS

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RE: Front Fork Seals?

Quote:

ORIGINAL: bigtone

For that year bike, you do not need any tools for disassembly. If you dont change springs, you can leave the tubes in the trees. Follow the manual to slide the lowers off. To assemble, get a piece of pvc, split it down the middle, clamp it on the tube to hold the new seal, spacer, and bushings, and tap the lower leg onto the tube. Then use either a pump, pressurized bottle, or vacuum to get the fluid back in.

Good idea, I never thought of that. But I think i would prefer to loosen the two bolts on the tree and do the whole job on a bench.

To reinstall the bushing there is not a special tool. just get a piece of pvc or pipe that will go over the slider to tap them in.

Very easy job to do. The that holds the two pieces of the shock together is a allen and is metric. I do not remember the size.