Author Topic: Are new fork springs necessary  (Read 3244 times)

Offline bluehonda

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Are new fork springs necessary
« on: August 06, 2013, 07:46:51 AM »
Last weekend I went on a support ride for the Homicide Victims Support Group (HVSG) in NSW.  Round trip of 840kms and 200kms into the trip I noticed the right fork seal had blown.  Each stop I'd wipe the oil from the fork and caliper and the brakes seem to be unaffected.
I've got to get the fork seals changed, or do them myself  (I did my DRZ400 last week so guess the ST1300 wont be too different) so should I replace the springs as well or are the original springs pretty good?

Thanks
Brad
2007 Honda ST1300
1999 Honda ST1100 (till it's sold)
Yamaha DT230
Montessa Cota 314R
Suzuki DRZ400E

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Offline Biggles

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Re: Are new fork springs necessary
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2013, 08:55:00 AM »
Some people on the Forum have changed the springs chasing better performance.  Yours are six years old, and if you were happy with them before and don't especially want to spend money trying to get an edge on previous performance, then stick with what you've got.
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Offline bluehonda

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Re: Are new fork springs necessary
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2013, 09:00:35 AM »
Thanks Biggles
That was what I thought.
I forgot to add that my bike's a 2008 model and has travelled 56000kms.

Brad
2007 Honda ST1300
1999 Honda ST1100 (till it's sold)
Yamaha DT230
Montessa Cota 314R
Suzuki DRZ400E

Ride like your life depends on it
The older I get the better I was!
 

Offline StinkyPete

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Re: Are new fork springs necessary
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2013, 11:44:33 AM »
How to fix leaking fork seals with SealMate


Here's a technique for getting grit and crud out from under the seal that might be causing the leak.   I read somewhere that instead of buying the product shown in the video, you can cut a bit of film negative to the hooked shape and use that.  This may save you the costs associated with replacement of a seal that might actually be OK.  I have 70,000 km  on my '08  (lots of 2 up and loaded up for  touring) still have the original springs and seals and haven't had any leaks, and feel no need to change springs.
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Offline bluehonda

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Re: Are new fork springs necessary
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2013, 11:49:57 AM »
Yeh I know about seal mate and have used thin plastic to fix a leak before (dirtbike) but I think I lost at least 40ml so a top up seems a good idea.  Trouble is I had about 600kms to go after I realised the problem, before I could attempt a fix.

Brad
2007 Honda ST1300
1999 Honda ST1100 (till it's sold)
Yamaha DT230
Montessa Cota 314R
Suzuki DRZ400E

Ride like your life depends on it
The older I get the better I was!