1979 GS850GN Fork inner tube repair or replace?

[steveL]

I recently took my newly purchased GS850 to the local garage to have a couple of jobs done including replacing the leaking fork seals.

When I collected the bike the mechanic explained he hadn't changed the fork seals because the left inner tube (stanchion) has a very fine scratch which runs vertically up the tube and is about 1" long. The scratch is on the part of the tube the seal will travel up and down, and as the mechanic pointed out, will damage the new seal, so. I need to replace the inner tube or repair it.

I didn't realise finding a replacement would be so difficult. I phoned a local Suzuki main dealer who also carries New Old Stock. After checking the UK network he tells me there isn't a NOS inner tube listed anywhere in the UK and couldn't help.

Ive looked on eBay and there are a couple of tubes currently advertised in the US, but even though they are NOS, looking at the close up photos there appears to be some surface corrosion on the tubes so may be no better than what I already have... Am I also right in thinking that the U.S. inner tube is different to the UK version as the U.S. Bike has air suspension?

I have also thought about removing the forks and having them re chromed! My thinking being a new layer of chrome will cover the scratch. Has anyone else tried this? Would the extra layer of chrome make the inner tube slightly too wide to fit back together in the forks?

Does anyone out there have a spare inner tube for sale?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

steve.

Lincolnshire, UK

 

[JTGS850GL]

One trick that has been fairly effective is to use an epoxy like JB Weld to fill the scratch. Has worked for some. Can you post a pic of the "scratch"? It may help to determine if it can be repaired or not.

 

[steveL]

Photo! Good idea, I'll take one tomorrow morning and post it.

Thanks

 

[postman_pat]

Try Wemoto in the UK for replacement inner tubes. They stock the Tarozzi line of aftermarket replacements. Although the GS850GN is not listed, the 1980 GS1000GT is listed, which according to the parts diagrams I've found, uses the same inner tube 51110-45100. Price is ?112.50.

 

[eil]

If the scratch is as fine as you say, it ought to come out with the right combination of very fine grit sandpaper and polishing compound.

 

[steveL]

A close up photo of the scratched inner tube. As you can see, the scratch is in the line of travel of the oil seal.

 

[Steve]

Next, we will have to teach you how to post pictures. :-\\\

.

 

[Grimly]

Try Philpots in Luton. They've been doing it for years.
http://www.pittedforks.co.uk/about.php

 

[JamesWhut?]

You need a better mechanic if he couldn't/wouldn't/didn't suggest what others here have said.

 

[steveL]

Thanks for the link Dave!