07 Front Fork Maintenance

[RossKean]

Heat, firmly anchoring the lower leg and 2 to 4 solid slide-hammer type actions have been our recipe for success!

~G

Since I have the Traxxion Dynamics AK20, my last Gen II seal replacement was done without the middle bushing as per TD. Makes fork separation much easier... Reassembly easier too without the need of a special tool to seat the middle bush.

 

[tschutter]

I finally got my extended socket put together today.

So I was able to get everything back together. The left fork is done and ready to re-install. Now for the right.

I was able to clean up the front fender, front wheel, calipers and replaced a couple brake pads. So that also is ready for install when the time comes.
Tim

 

[tschutter]

Removing the right tubes were much easier. Obviously, the experience of the left was a big help. But the key is heat. I heated it 15-20s, then pulled it pretty hard. When it jammed, I inverted it on the bench and slammed it back in. After 3-4 hard pulls, I heated it some more, and with another pull, it was apart.

I think the left was the original seal. It had a lot more corrosion around the exterior side. I purchased the bike in '19 with 15k miles. So I would have guessed that the fork seals would NOT have been replaced but if you have a leak, well, you replace the seal...

Anyway, they are apart, time for some cleaning and putting them back.
Tim

 

[tschutter]

Since I have the Traxxion Dynamics AK20, my last Gen II seal replacement was done without the middle bushing as per TD. Makes fork separation much easier... Reassembly easier too without the need of a special tool to seat the middle bush.

I'm just leaving the suspension as is so I'm just replacing the middle bushing using the FJRed special tool.

 

[tschutter]

I'm happy to report that the second fork went together easier than the first. Back to full strength.

So she is ready for spring. Wish it were here...

 

[SkooterG]

I'm just leaving the suspension as is so I'm just replacing the middle bushing using the FJRed special tool.

FYI, stock or aftermarket, many in the know advise to skip the middle bushing.