Front Fork Rebuild

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  • Tech73
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    Front Fork Rebuild

    OK, I have taken the forks apart and have gotten some of the parts to rebuild them. I was wanting to know if it was necessary to to buy part #10 and #8 on the Parts Fiche. They call these #10 Piston and #8 Metal Slide. Mine are there but the crome has been worn off them. Is there a point in replacing them?

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    I have rebuilt almost everything on this bike other than the motor.
  • Johno
    Forum Mentor
    • Aug 2007
    • 474
    • Sydney Australia

    #2
    The link doesn't work for me!
    Johno

    current rides 1981 GS1000G and 2005 GSX1400
    1977 Kawasaki KZ400 D4

    previous bikes 1978 GS1000HC
    1977 GS400
    1974 Montesa 250
    1960s Kawasaki 175

    Comment

    • bonanzadave
      Forum Guru
      Past Site Supporter
      • Jul 2006
      • 9623
      • Minnesota

      #3
      Yes. Just do it . Ive been chasing a high speed handling issue and replacing the fork bushings has helped more than anything else ive tried.
      82 1100 EZ (red)

      "You co-opting words of KV only thickens the scent of your BS. A thief and a putter-on of airs most foul. " JEEPRUSTY

      Comment

      • Guest

        #4
        What are the forks on? And yeah replace everything including the metal slides. Should be two pairs. One set at the bottom of the tube sliders and a set just under the seals. You said the chrome was wore off? Those are coated with teflon, never seen chrome.

        Comment

        • tkent02
          Forum LongTimer
          Past Site Supporter
          • Jan 2006
          • 35571
          • Near South Park

          #5
          The Teflon was new in about 1980. Technology marching on and all.
          http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

          Life is too short to ride an L.

          Comment

          • Guest

            #6
            Originally posted by tkent02
            The Teflon was new in about 1980. Technology marching on and all.
            The sets of slider bushings I bought to rebuild the 1100E forks were still teflon coated. Then again Tech73 doesn't say what his bike is. His link didn't work for me as well.
            Last edited by Guest; 11-02-2012, 10:04 AM.

            Comment

            • Tech73

              #7
              Sorry guys, It's a 82 GS1100ez. They looked crome to me but you guys know more about this stuff than I do so if you say they're teflon then that's what they are.

              Someone had these apart before and didn't put some of the parts back in. It was missing the two little leaf spring washers and the reg washer between them.

              The link was just to the parts fiche so you could see what I was talking about.

              Thanks for the advice guy's, I'll go a head and order them.

              Comment

              • Guest

                #8
                Originally posted by Tech73
                Sorry guys, It's a 82 GS1100ez. They looked crome to me but you guys know more about this stuff than I do so if you say they're teflon then that's what they are.

                Someone had these apart before and didn't put some of the parts back in. It was missing the two little leaf spring washers and the reg washer between them.

                The link was just to the parts fiche so you could see what I was talking about.

                Thanks for the advice guy's, I'll go a head and order them.
                Just be really careful when you install the metal sliders ( I call them bushings) into the lower leg. The bushings are split as to make it easier to install. Use a block of wood that fits over it and tap in. Use anything else like a punch or something metal, slip and mar the finish on them you start over by buying a new set.

                Comment

                • Tech73

                  #9
                  Here are the one's out of my forks.

                  Comment

                  • Guest

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Tech73
                    Here are the one's out of my forks.

                    Yup replace them. The larger one is the one that goes on the slider tube and shows extensive wear on the outside. The smaller one goes into the fork leg and still looks good from what I can see inside. Pretty sure that is right, I just looked at my old ones this morning lol. It is time to change them regardless.

                    Comment

                    • bonanzadave
                      Forum Guru
                      Past Site Supporter
                      • Jul 2006
                      • 9623
                      • Minnesota

                      #11
                      Old & New (mine)



                      82 1100 EZ (red)

                      "You co-opting words of KV only thickens the scent of your BS. A thief and a putter-on of airs most foul. " JEEPRUSTY

                      Comment

                      • bonanzadave
                        Forum Guru
                        Past Site Supporter
                        • Jul 2006
                        • 9623
                        • Minnesota

                        #12
                        Installed

                        82 1100 EZ (red)

                        "You co-opting words of KV only thickens the scent of your BS. A thief and a putter-on of airs most foul. " JEEPRUSTY

                        Comment

                        • bonanzadave
                          Forum Guru
                          Past Site Supporter
                          • Jul 2006
                          • 9623
                          • Minnesota

                          #13
                          Even though the new bushings seemed to help the high speed wobble a bit I believe the tolerance could be a lot tighter.

                          (click the pic)
                          82 1100 EZ (red)

                          "You co-opting words of KV only thickens the scent of your BS. A thief and a putter-on of airs most foul. " JEEPRUSTY

                          Comment

                          • Tech73

                            #14
                            Thanks for the advice guys. I've ordered them and hopefully have this thing going soon.

                            Comment

                            • Tech73

                              #15
                              All my parts finally came in so now I can go about putting these together. I have progressive springs to put in also.

                              Dave, how much oil did you put in your 1100? I went by the book before reading the progressive stuff and put 246ml. It started leaking out of the little hole in the stanchion so I poured it all out and left it upside down over night to drain more out. I have read on the progressive paper work that it should measure 140mm (5.5inches) from the top.

                              I read on Flyboys fork rebuild thread that he put 241cc (ML is the same) and measured 140mm with the fork fully collapsed. If I do this then oil will come out of that little hole again. Advise needed

                              Comment

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