'97 Sport 1100. Fork seal replacement ??

[dsrdave]

Just need to replace the seals an oil in the forks.  '97 model so the inverted forks.  Is there an easier way to do this than what the manual says ??  Was hoping to not dismantle the entire fork assy....

[Chuck in Indiana]

Just need to replace the seals an oil in the forks.  '97 model so the inverted forks.  Is there an easier way to do this than what the manual says ??  Was hoping to not dismantle the entire fork assy....

I don't have the manual, and have never done those forks.. but.. I've never had inverted forks that *didn't* need disassembly to replace the seals and service them. Really, it's no big deal.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Just need to replace the seals an oil in the forks.  '97 model so the inverted forks.  Is there an easier way to do this than what the manual says ??  Was hoping to not dismantle the entire fork assy....

On a Centauro (similar/same forks?) you pretty much have to disassemble the entire fork to replace the seal. 

[guzzisteve]

There is a shortcut to taking it all apart, just for seals and fluid. I slide them out of TT then cap off after adj to minimum. Pour out fluid, pump the rest out & clean inside w/fuel or solvent, pump out. hang upside down and drip out. Take off cap from rod, dust caps loose slide apart. Slide apart, change seals, reassemble. You don't have to take cartridge all apart, just pump cleaner trough it.

[Chuck in Indiana]

On a Centauro (similar/same forks?) you pretty much have to disassemble the entire fork to replace the seal.

Yeah, I've done several of them. It's about a 1-2 hour job..

[Doug McLaren]

If you have the White Power USD forks it might be an idea to see if there's any play in the bushes while you have it adrift. They were shot on my 98 Sporti after only 25,000 miles.

[Tusayan]

If you have the White Power USD forks it might be an idea to see if there's any play in the bushes while you have it adrift.

Not a bad idea, especially given my experience of finding one WP fork bushing completely missing, a factory assembly error.   Oddly enough it didn't make the bike handle strangely, the other fork leg took the bending loads.

[Chuck in Indiana]

They *are* pretty sturdy..

[Doug McLaren]

Only one side was worn on mine. I took the front wheel and mudguard off and found quite a bit of movement at the bottom of one of the legs. When I drained the oil, one side was like cats pee, the other was more like sludge. New seals and bushes in each side, new springs, fresh oil (atf),and away we went.

[dsrdave]

Thx for the tips.  Wasn't as bad as I was expecting.  Oil sure looked nasty. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Thx for the tips.  Wasn't as bad as I was expecting.  Oil sure looked nasty.

Yeah, nothin to it and it *needs* to be done. I've never taken one apart that didn't need it. 

[Turin]

How is that beast coming along? Get her started yet?

[dsrdave]

Had it running briefly.  Tore the bike down a couple days ago to start a a complete restoration.  This poor thing needs to be returned to its former glory.  Forks are now done, hardware will go out for replate and reassembly should start in a few weeks. 

[Turin]

What was keeping it from running? electrical or fuel?

[dsrdave]

Fuel,  first the fuel pump then the pressure regulator was bad.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Fuel,  first the fuel pump then the pressure regulator was bad.

Did the pressure regulator cause the fuel pump outage? There's a guy on the V11 forum that has had two fuel pumps leaking.

[dsrdave]

I don't think so.  The fuel pump was seized when I got it. Probably just from sitting. After replacing the pump I discovered the pressure regulator was bad, leaking out the vent (ruptured diaphragm).