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That fork tube polishing thing...

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 6:29 pm
by dougie
My fork stanchions had gotten to the point that fork seals didn't last 2 seasons.
I had some good advice from some of you, but if you're interested, here's what I did -

I used wet/dry silicone/carbide paper lubed with Varsol.
I took care of a couple of nicks, just leveling them with 600 grit.
Then I cut 1" wide strips from sheets of 1200 and 2000 grit. I wrapped them around about 1 1/2 times and did the shoeshine action, 1200 followed by 2000.
Last I did the same thing with 3/4" strips of denim coated with Autosol.
In retrospect, I am not sure I needed both the 2000 grit and the Autosol, but I wanted to be sure.
New fork seals - no leaks so far.

P.S. Yes ZM, I installed gaiters.

Re: That fork tube polishing thing...

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 6:34 pm
by Major Softie
dougie wrote:P.S. Yes ZM, I installed gaiters.
Better late then never. :mrgreen:

Re: That fork tube polishing thing...

Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 11:34 pm
by Chuey
dougie wrote: P.S. Yes ZM, I installed gaiters.
Fork boots rock!

Chuey

Re: That fork tube polishing thing...

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 3:35 am
by ME 109
My RS fairing is sand/rock blasted from years of riding dirt/gravel roads.
I have gaiters/boots/piano accordians on my forks.
I also have/have never had leaking fork seals. :mrgreen:

Re: That fork tube polishing thing...

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 3:53 pm
by Zombie Master
P.S. Yes ZM, I installed gaiters.[/quote]

Hallelujah!

Re: That fork tube polishing thing...

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 3:59 pm
by Duane Ausherman
Even with fork gators the seals seemed to last a few years or about 40 k miles. How long do they last these days?

Re: That fork tube polishing thing...

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:08 pm
by dougie
Duane Ausherman wrote:Even with fork gators the seals seemed to last a few years or about 40 k miles. How long to they last these days?
I logged the mileage when I put in new seals. I'll let ya know when they blow.