HELP-V11 Sport fork seals

[Ronkom]

I am picking up a new toy today....an '03 V11 Sport naked. It's only issue is leaking fork seals. Haven't messed w/upside-down forks before. Shop manual on This Old Tractor says 2 special tools needed to remove/install seals. Any of y'all been down this road? Are special tools really necessary? work around? Bike has 42K miles, shift spring has already broken & been replaced in the 6 speed tranny. Any other issues particular to this model?
Thanks,
ronkom

[LowRyter]

no, I haven't but there is much written about it here:

https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?act=idx

[earemike]

I am picking up a new toy today....an '03 V11 Sport naked. It's only issue is leaking fork seals. Haven't messed w/upside-down forks before. Shop manual on This Old Tractor says 2 special tools needed to remove/install seals. Any of y'all been down this road? Are special tools really necessary? work around? Bike has 42K miles, shift spring has already broken & been replaced in the 6 speed tranny. Any other issues particular to this model?
Thanks,
ronkom

Did 2 shift springs, no big deal.

Done the seal replacement on the ohlins, done a cartridge replacement on the marzocchi. You can get a cheap plastic protector for 43mm forks to slide the seals on - no big deal. For the cartridge replacement I acquired a spring compressor, first time I did seals I made my own tabs & used a vice to compress.

Since you are poping out the seals it’s a good time to change the fluid - most will say I’m insane but my new cartridges are fitted with trans fluid. In the old damper rod days that was the norm, now there are fork oil charts. One mans 15 weight is another mans 12 weight. I’m happy with the dextron & the V11 has managed to get around some Ducati’s from time to time  .

Whatever you decide to do it should be an easy replacement, without the plastic cups just be careful not to tear the seals - from memory they fit 2???

[Cage Free]

Upside down forks are really not any harder than conventional forks. If you don't have a tool to press in the seals use a piece of pvc and just tap them in carefully. Doing fork seals used to intimidate me but after doing them multiple times on various bikes its really not a big deal, just more of a pain in the ass to remove wheels, fenders, and such.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Hiya Ron.. I did a tutorial on the V11 forum on servicing the Ohlins forks and replacing the seals. I'll see if I can find it.
The only special tool I remember was a plastic clamp I made to hold the fork for disassembly.
We solved that transmission spring breakage problem a year or two ago, btw.. Scud on this list and the V11 forum has them.
Here ya go.. you should get on the forum.. more info than you may want..
https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?/topic/20201-re-engineering-the-shift-spring/
https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?/topic/19782-ohlins-fork-seals/page/3/&tab=comments#comment-217126

[Ronkom]

Hi Chuck, PO told me that when the second spring broke on this bike he had a mod done to the post the spring mounts on. If memory serves it was machining from 17 mm to 15 mm. Does that make sense? I got 2 spare springs w/the bike, one some sort of aftermarket & a genuine Guzzi part from MG Cycle. The Guzzi part is beefier. Thanks to all for the responses, this forum alone makes putting up w/a compuker worthwhile.
Ron

[Chuck in Indiana]

Hi Chuck, PO told me that when the second spring broke on this bike he had a mod done to the post the spring mounts on. If memory serves it was machining from 17 mm to 15 mm. Does that make sense? I got 2 spare springs w/the bike, one some sort of aftermarket & a genuine Guzzi part from MG Cycle. The Guzzi part is beefier. Thanks to all for the responses, this forum alone makes putting up w/a compuker worthwhile.
Ron

the new spring and especially the heavy guzzi spring will break too.
😎