Front fork seal replacement - GL1000

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kenai
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Front fork seal replacement - GL1000

#1

Post by kenai »

Hi All - finished off the seals and here's what i learned: - making the Randakk tool is the way to go; having a vise to control the force used on the old seals sure beats "prying" with things.

When building the tool I tapered the ends to fit inside the top of the fork which meant the tool was to large (s/b 45mm they were 48mm) so i didn't tighten the nuts all the way flush between the tool halves. This reduced the bite down to 45mm; i wanted the curve to be exact so i ground the tips to fit snug at the top and did not take them down further.
The all-balls seals are the same size/width as stock but as with the new honda seals that have a double seal in them; the separate wiper seal is omitted. This being the case, there also is space between the seal and the clip.

Also the allen bolt on the bottom of the fork lower ONLY has the force of the spring pushing down (so cap it) to help tread it into the end of the piston. They call for some thread locker but clean the threads and run them in and out a few times before going for the gold...kenai
2 - 1979 GL1000
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1 - 1977
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Ramset
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Re: Front fork seal replacement - GL1000

#2

Post by Ramset »

My first time replacing seals was last week.
I made the tool seen on Randakk's site
and it worked very well. I did not have a
vise where I was at so I drilled 2 more holes
in the puller and screwed the whole show
to the table allowing the fork tube to stick
out 1 1/2". I lifted the fork tube up a few inches
and stock a 2"x4" in between the table and
the fork tube and pushed down. Sealed
popped out real easy.
Ben

"...Sing your death song and die like a hero going home." Chief Tecumseh

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot

"Besides who needs a tach.. I let her rev untill she quits pulling, then I upshift." Fish

1978 gl1000 (my first gl)
1978 gl1000 (Father's Day present to my dad)
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Bohdan
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Re: Front fork seal replacement - GL1000

#3

Post by Bohdan »

Wish I can could have been so lucky. The outer metal ring is still stuck...... All the rubber came out.
'77 GL1000 Blue
'77 GL1000 Botina
'77 GL1000 Roadkill
93 GL1500 Big Red
13 GL1800 Nepper
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robin1731
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Re: Front fork seal replacement - GL1000

#4

Post by robin1731 »

Bohdan wrote:Wish I can could have been so lucky. The outer metal ring is still stuck...... All the rubber came out.

I've never seen any with an outer steel ring. You are talking the O.D. of the seal right?
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
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sunnbobb
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Re: Front fork seal replacement - GL1000

#5

Post by sunnbobb »

anyone have a link to the plans for the puller?
I found the end of the internet

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1978 Learning Experience
1980 County Road Hauler "Brain Damage"
1978 Cafe Custom Gl1000 "Vyper"
1977 Bulldog Inspired "Vaincre"
1981 Street Fighter GL1100 "No Quarter"
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NCScooter
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Re: Front fork seal replacement - GL1000

#6

Post by NCScooter »

sunnbobb wrote:anyone have a link to the plans for the puller?

http://www.randakksblog.com/removing-gl ... ork-seals/

You're welcome.
I need to remember to keep my expectations tiny so I don't end up so whiny.
1976 CB400f
Image 1977 GL1000-The Breeze
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Bohdan
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Re: Front fork seal replacement - GL1000

#7

Post by Bohdan »

Hey Robin, yes the one that I took out yesterday as a matter of fact, has a steel ring on the outside face of tin can thickness. I am assuming that these were Mother Honda ones and maybe aftermarkets don't have as such.
'77 GL1000 Blue
'77 GL1000 Botina
'77 GL1000 Roadkill
93 GL1500 Big Red
13 GL1800 Nepper
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robin1731
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Re: Front fork seal replacement - GL1000

#8

Post by robin1731 »

Bohdan wrote:Hey Robin, yes the one that I took out yesterday as a matter of fact, has a steel ring on the outside face of tin can thickness. I am assuming that these were Mother Honda ones and maybe aftermarkets don't have as such.

I've installed several, in fact only OEM fork seals. None of them were steel on the outside.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
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Bohdan
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Re: Front fork seal replacement - GL1000

#9

Post by Bohdan »

That's interesting. Maybe the ones I had were aftermarket ones. These were very strategically coated with a plastic layer. If OEM ones don't have that ring, replacement in 10 years would be gravy!
'77 GL1000 Blue
'77 GL1000 Botina
'77 GL1000 Roadkill
93 GL1500 Big Red
13 GL1800 Nepper
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