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gs450 upper fork slider bushings

  • Thread starter Thread starter paulz5rz
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paulz5rz

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i could use some insight here.. I think I know the answer but I want to make sure before. I am in the middle of a rebuild of an 85 gs450l. I am putting the forks back together. My question is around the upper slider bushing, the one that fits in the outer tube below the seal. i pushed the slider bushing into its recess and now the inner tube will not go in because of the slider on that tube.

I am assuming that I should of installed the inner tube w/dampening first? Then try to press the bushing in? the problem with that is there is little space to drive that in (between the wall of the outer tube and the seal.) none of the books address it.

the slider is metal, its a snug fit and at this point to get it out, i will probably need to destroy it to remove. the good news is the part still seems to be available

Its been a few months since i disassembled it and i believe it (slider bushing) came out when i was sliding the tubes apart to pull the inner tube out.

Anyway, is what i should of done is assemble the tubes together then bushing, washer, seal etc?

thanks in advance
 
thanks... i know it sounds confusing. maybe this will help?

#22 on the parts fiche is a slider bushing (that is what its called on the fiche in the US, on yours it is called a piston) that fits around the bottom of the inner tube. It is a split bushing that fits in a recess on the tube.

#14 on the fiche is a bushing guide that fits in the outer tube just below the seal. it is also a split bushing that is pressed / very snug fit, into the outer tube.

once #14 (bushing guide) is in, the inner tube will not slide in because the bushing on the bottom of that (#22) is too big to pass through the upper bushing. I will try to get some pics

Its been awhile but the last time i replaced seals (on a GS550) i do not recall this problem.

thanks!
 
gs450 fork bushings

gs450 fork bushings

Here are some pics that may help explain.

Here is the outer tube with out the bushing
photo 3.jpg
i just figured out that only 1 pic per post so i will do a couple other.. thanks
 
gs450 fork bushings

gs450 fork bushings

lastly, here is the bushing on the bottom of the inner fork tube.
photo 2.jpg

the challenge is this (the inner tube) will not pass through into the outer tube with the other bushing in. There is little room to insert the other one with the tubes assembled.

I don't remember have this issue before.

thanks
 
You've got it - put the tube in first followed by the bush. Make sure that the bush goes in square and if it needs a bit of persuasion to seat fully just tap it down with a length of PVC pipe (you might have to slit it lengthways to get the correct diameter).
 
I wonder... if not,
Try matchless's pdf on replacing forkseals at the top of the page. His includes pictures of parts laid out.His are air-shocks like yours? Nowhere do I see #22 in it...What is UNDER #22 in your picture?.
http://www.mediafire.com/?ofnzy51uly4h6

The only split seal I recall (but it's an' 81) is the one on the inner damper mechanism. I wonder if #22 isn't wrong and is actually a cushion below inner tube?
 
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thanks.. thats what i thought. I just dont remember going through this before. they say memory is the 2nd thing to go
 
I did look at those. thanks. doesnt address the bushings. not even the shop manual. I have both clymer and suzuki's. not a mention. i am just going to have to pull the one i put in and put the tube in first as hampshirehog suggested. thanks
 
I wonder if that collar Picture 2 #22 might be even a spacer to preload Fork springs....no spacer-82.jpghere's what my 81s' look like from the manual. But you've got air forks and newer bike.
 
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looking at your pics, your set up is quite different. no bushings at all! the ones on the 85 are used to center the inner tube as it travels. a preload spacer would sit on top of the springs i believe. i just hate when i think i am on a roll and i realize i am not!!!! :-)
 
But is your "collar" bushing (fiche #22) steel? or plastic/nylon? IF Plastic, the Hampshire-hog (post9) has it..put this tube in first followed by the (upper)bushing that sits below the fork seal.

Then, to put your new seal in you must slide the inner tube down as much as you can, and use/create a tool to set those seals "around" the inner. (and THIS is the process explained even in my 81 SUZUKI manual... a "special tool" is involved. But some slackers (like me) will put the seal in first and then slide the inner through it because we can..albeit carefully-we can wreck the seal easily.)

I expect your forks to be longer than mine being an 85L versus my 81s T and E and so a collar there makes sense.

But IF made of steel this thing seems wrong I'd be as nervous as you. It'd seem it'll destroy your lower outer aluminum tube.


attachment.php
 
both bushings are steel. Hampshirehog got it right

put in dampening rod
put in inner tube w bushing into outer tube
slide upper bushing in over the tube
whack it in with a piece of pvc pipe slit down the middle (works great - thx Hampshirehog)
do the same w/ the seal...

what threw me off was on one of my other bikes there was no steel bushing that needed to be pressed in. its all sequencing. All good now! thanks much for your help!
 
Just to give an idea of the rebuild so far... Engine just pieced together at powder coaters...
engine.jpg
 
Frame being assembled. (was working on forks and got way-laid) Engine almost done..

build.jpg
 
Well, that's great. I have an '83? GSX400 kicking around that has air shocks like yours. I'll be stripping it someday so I'll know all about now!

And what you're doing there Looks very nice too!
 
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