I just replaced the seals on my 86 magna, and the left one is still just letting all the new 20 weight oil gush out. The right one worked out great. The left side has a very small number of little pits in the travel section, but I sanded them as smooth as I could. I don't want to buy another set off of ebay and just end up with tubes in the same condition as mine. Once the tube gets these little pits in them, are they trash or is there a way to restore them? If they are kaput is there a company that makes a new fork tube, because I have looked all over the internet and can't find anything.
I have heard of people polishing the pits out, BUT you have to be sure you don't get the fork out of round when doing so or it will leak badly. If you sanded out each spot likely that is what happened. Have you looked on ebay for forks?
I replaced mine and managed to put one side in upside down. It leaked till I took it apart and saw what I did wrong. the leak was not bad though.
My forks had the hazy imprint of the tripple tree so I know I didnt have it flipped over, but I also dont think I sanded enough to out of round it. I might have left a few burs in there I guess. You do know that it's possible to smooth out the burs and reinstall the forks, though? If that's so, then I'll just have to pull them back out and try smoothing it again. Ebay forks look like they are all in equal or worse condition than mine so I'll just keep working on mine. I was hoping there was a company somewhere that makes new ones, maybe even a little bit extended over stock length. Than ks for the input!
Hi Tool Box,
I hate to ask but: 1. Did u use OEM Honda only parts?
2. Could you have installed the one seal upside down?
3. Did you protect the lip of the seal by applying protective tape at the top tube and lube all the parts?
4. The pros have a tool that they slip down over the top of the tube. Saw it on YouTube
5. I think I would go with 10W oil, any others agree
Thanks again for the input! I used seals I got off of EBAY, so I'm guessing they are probably a crappy brand lol. I made double sure to have them right side up. I didn't use tape on the top of the tube, so that might have caused some problems. I didn't use any special tool, I just improvised on driving in the seals and bushings. I read that the V65 shouldn't use any less than 20 wt since they had a tendency to get front end wobble and dive down under breaking, but that's just what I read from forums and such. I'm afraid that you're probably right, I bet I buggered it up somehow installing it. I'll have to just get some Honda OEM seals and maybe look at getting a proper tool then tackle it again.
QuoteMy forks had the hazy imprint of the tripple tree so I know I didnt have it flipped over,
I meant the seals. sorry
If you have a LOT of fluid coming out check that the washer is on the correct side of the seal. I have had new seals leak and replaced it with another and the leak stopped. Are you certain the springs in the seals did not come out? OEM Honda is best but have used J&L with no problems.
10 or 15 wt. oil is fine, ran it for years. NEVER use ATF.
On many parts cheap is not good, especially when you have to redo but if you have pits you can fill them with JB Weld and sand them smooth, this method can have mixed results.
I was actually thinking of doing that, but I wasn't sure if the little bits of JB Weld would just fall off inside the shock over time. When I get the money, I am going to buy the honda parts instead of aftermarket this time for sure..
Just curious, how do they refurbish the slider tube? Do they rechrome it? I have never dug into finding out the info.
Quote from: Greg Cothern on March 18, 2011, 04:19:41 PM
Just curious, how do they refurbish the slider tube? Do they rechrome it? I have never dug into finding out the info.
On vintage bikes we Hard Chrome.
Do you have to do anything to prep the tube or do you just send it off somewhere and have it re-chromed?
http://www.reactivesuspension.com/services.php
Theres one place but it almost looks like from what they say to replace than rechrome but hey give them a call..
Wow thanks for the link! I'm so terrible on these dang "think boxes" lol. I get on the internet and find absolutely squat, but everyone else seems to be able to find links just like the one you shared just fine :? Boy that diamond like coating would look wicked on my bike!
If you need, there is another guy well known who makes fork tubes also, still, might be less expensive finding a good used set.
That seems to be the hard part, though. I know my tubes are in pretty good shape actually. There is just some small pits right where they dont need to be on the left tube. All of the used ones I see look way worse than mine, but who knows if they would actually leak or not. I've always been the type that will try at all cost to fix what I have, but if it fails then I'd rather just go new as opposed to another shot at old stuff. Plus if there is a guy that can make new tubes, perhaps he could tack on another three inches in length overall. I'd love to have this bike sit up a bit further in the front.
Hi Guys, I have been continplating chroming my rims & lower forks on my 2001 VF750C Magna. Bought it July 2010 with Prograssive front springs. Has 38K miles now & don't know when Progressive springs were installed. When I have the forks apart for chroming should I have NEW Progressive front springs installed ($95) or are they good for a trillion miles or something?
There are lots of things that can be damaged or wear out on my '96 bikes, but the front end Progressive springs are not among them. Unless the tubes have been bent severely, the springs should be fine. They should not lose their temper at any temperature you can reach in the tubes, short of a major fire...
If it were me and I had them apart for chroming I would put new seals, bushing sliders etc in them. This way would not have to worry about them for a long time.
Springs are probably ok.. Use your judgement on how they feel....