• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Changing fork seals: 1982 GS1100GL

  • Thread starter Thread starter lordcannon88
  • Start date Start date
L

lordcannon88

Guest
so far I have replaced the starter, tach oil seal, valve cover gasket, half moons, intake manifolds, sealed the airbox, replaced intake o rings, and probably about 23 other things i forgot about. I was hoping to take a nice ride without any problems for once. I got about 50 miles from my house and noticed the fork seals spitting on me. Im getting a little bit ****ed. Does anyone have the procedure for changing the fork seals on a pdf somewhere?

also theres a bottom oil leak. I dont think its coming from the oil pan gasket. looks to be the shift shaft area or maybe the driveshaft boot area? what are the usual suspects?
 
thank you much chef...im assuming the procedure is the same for the 1000 and 1100? also other than using thicker oil, what can be done to stiffen up the front end?
 
Stiffen? Use 10 wt or add preload to the springs.
I'd go with the 15wt myself. I recommend Bel-Ray brand.
Get some Progressive fork springs. Great upgrade!
 
Last edited:
If you choose to go with the Progressive springs, note that you will no longer need to add air to the forks. :dancing:

.
 
Do you have 15 psi in the forks now? Lack of pressure in the forks is the first thing that causes leaks at the seal (with stock seals). If you have an air compressor, run it up or down to 15 psi, then do both forks twice (the first time may be compressing one side more because it is lifting the entire bike). This is the easiest and most reliable way to equalize the forks.

Leaks on the left rear of the motor would likely be the shift shaft seal or the countershaft seal.
 
Yes the forks have pressure. the leak isnt horrid yet but im not gonna chance a bent axle. also i thought adding a thinker weight of oil IE. 20W would make the forks stiffer, because isnt the higher the number the thicker the oil? also where does everyone recommend getting new seals? finally, how would I go about adding preload?
 
I also highly recommend putting in the new Progressive springs while you have the forks apart. I think it is a basic safety upgrade that MUST be done to replace the 25+ year old fork springs that were not very good even when new. These are the springs you will need. Part # 11-1107

http://www.progressivesuspension.com/prodSearchResults.aspx?yearID=1982&makeID=45&modelID=840

also where does everyone recommend getting new seals?
Click to expand...

You can get new OEM seals from your dealer, Flatout, Bike Bandit, etc. Leak Proof also makes seal & wiper kits for your bike as well. I have used the Pro-Moly seal and wiper kits with good results although not everyone here is a fan of them.

finally, how would I go about adding preload?
Click to expand...

On page 2 of Matchless's tutorial it shows the OEM spacer. You can use an additional spacer on top of it to increase the pre-load. The new Progressives come with the spacers and an additional washer for installation since they are shorter than the OEM springs. I used 15 WT fork oil and approx 1 1/4" spacer on top of the OEM spacer. Once you get the forks back in you can adjust the pre-load to your weight and riding style if needed.
 
Last edited:
You're right. The 20wt would be thicker. :o
That would be too thick in my opinion. The 15 will be fine. Adjust the preload to make the front suspension stiffer OR just get the Progressive. :D
 
Check your fork surface very carefully too. Any pitting across the seal travel area will slice up your new seals too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top