Need help with fork seals im cracking up

wobblybox · Feb 19, 2009

Rsvr06 said:
i had my fork seals changed by my local kawasaki also ducati dealer as they had popped

they charged £179 with the forks in the bike , had the bushes replaced , seals and dust covers and fork oil all in that price

didnt think it was that bad really

the gsxr seals do fit as all dimensions are the same

I take it the bushes and dust covers have to be ordered seperately? That would maybe explain why the Ohlins guy is quoting £170 and the Suzuki garage is quoting £100 :coocoo

wobblybox · Feb 19, 2009

spoonz said:
The stiction is not noticeable from what i've been told.

Backing washers ? Haven't been any on the Aprilia Ohlins i have seen and they don't appear in the manual at all.

You sure this guy is an "Expert"

Pm Scott2ride on Aprilia forum if you like. He had them fitted by a suspension tech in NZ and they went straight in, same dimensions, no mods they just worked. Clarkie ran them on his Factory in the AMA in the US etc etc. Lots of people using them.

You can analise it any which way chap but they just go in and work. What more can i say really. :dunno.

Just looked at the ohlins manual. He might mean the seperating washer between the seal and the lower bush. No it doesn't need to be thicker.

I'm a cabbage :shaun I only take what other people say and what I read here, it would appear he does know what hes talking about and I assume he is refering to the seperating washer. He is an Ohlins agent (as far as I know the only one in Ireland) and widely respected in the biking fraternity. I would prefer to spend a few shillings more and have the job done right thats why I posted my query. Judging the amount of response it would appear fork seals are a bit of a subject in thier own right :eatcorn

spoonz · Feb 19, 2009

At the end of the day Wobbly it's up to you which way you go.

As has been said the suzuki seals fit as do the R1 Sp or any other 43mm ohlins seal regardless of the small variations in width which Ohlins appear to alter also at times.

The general feeling from all the manufacturers is that the dust seals are an option and so can be ordered seperatly as they don't wear at the rate the oil seal does.
The exception being Aprilia who only sell them as a kit with all the seals at about £45. Your Ohlins guy will not be getting the seals from Aprilia i'm sure so the difference is likely his labour cost compared to the suzuki dealer and maybe the use of Ohlins oil that is slightly more expensive.

The Ohlins dealer will probably go to greater lengths in checking bushes etc and basically put more time into the job hence his higher labour.
If you go the Suzuki route just re use the exisitng dust seals as they will likely be fine.

The deciding factor might be your usage. If it's high and through winter the suzuki option might be best. Read how many Showa equipped bikes have leaks on here (Double Lipped seal) and how many Ohlins have leaked. Speaks for itself.
Even the new design Ohlins seal is not immune to leaking (mine lasted about 5K) but if your usage is low, mostly clean dry miles it won't get the abuse that often makes them leak.
My 04 Factory went through 2 sets of seals in the 12650 miles it did with me.
Thats a fairly high maintenance rate if you do a lot of miles but for me it was 4 years riding so wasn't a big deal and i could change them myself.

wobblybox · Feb 20, 2009

After a lot of deliberation I left the bike into the Ohlins guy for the Ohlins seals (uprated) to be fitted. To be honest if I do 3k miles this year i'll be amazed with work commitments and just bought a new house. He is servicing the rear shock as well as a full service of the forks costing approx £250 all in. As mentioned in another thread he reckons at 7 yr old despite only having 5k miles the shock would be well overdue for service. I suppose seals and o-rings etyc start to perish and the oil starts goin wonky.

If the seals ago again soon at least I can bring the bike back and hopefully get him to replace them?? I'd be happier knowing the suspension is right and he is setting them up to my weight etc. Tried to find a website for him but he ain't got one which is a shame, his workshop etc is real trick looking even his mugs were clean!! Thanks for all the advice

A303 · Feb 20, 2009

wobblybox said:
He is servicing the rear shock as well as a full service of the forks costing approx £250 all in.

Can't complain at that mate.

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Need help with fork seals im cracking up

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