Rebuild forks or buy

[SRTie4k]

Discovered last night that one of the forks on my TL1000S is leaking, bad, enough that there's a puddle of fork oil on the ground. I'm not sure how much a rebuild costs, but I can get a nearly new pair of forks in perfect condition for $200 on TLZone. I know that when rebuilding you at least get the chance to correct the factory suspension, and get exactly what you want, but I don't ride hard enough to notice an issue with the stock forks.

What's the cost of a rebuild, and is it worth the investment? Or is it better off just buying another set of stock forks?

[Paul_E_D]

It's not a rebuild, just a seal. If you tackle it yourself, it costs 40 bucks. Buying new forks seems a bit over the top! you could put them on and have a leaky seal. lol

[SRTie4k]

It's not a rebuild, just a seal. If you tackle it yourself, it costs 40 bucks. Buying new forks seems a bit over the top! you could put them on and have a leaky seal. lol

I've never done any type of maintenance on a fork in my life. Does a fork seal require you to pull the forks apart? I was under the impression that it's a lot more involved than just replacing 2 parts.

[Paul_E_D]

Yes, you have to separate the fork legs, but you are simply replacing 2 parts. It's a little intimidating the first time, but it is very easy. There has to be a youtube video of your exact forks. I just make a "seal driver" out on the old seal by cutting it in half with a dremel or hacksaw.

[SRTie4k]

Is this and some fork oil all I need? Got a buddy who just volunteered to help me (he wants to do his SV650 forks and wants me to be the guinea pig).

[Paul_E_D]

Well, you could do those parts, but your leak is caused by a nicked fork seal. Just order the suzuki parts. Fork seal and dust wiper.

[SRTie4k]

The genuine Suzuki seal and dust boot are 2x as expensive as the entire All Balls kit.

[Paul_E_D]

OK, if that kit has the oil seal and dust wiper, go for it. I couldn't tell if it does from the parts list.

[TheIglu]

The All Balls kits are the way to go. Comes with the seal and the dust boot.

[SRTie4k]

Oh, for some reason I thought it did, but now that you mention it it doesn't. This is the one I need.

Does it make sense to get the bushings kit as well, and replace all the bushings, o-rings and snap rings while I'm in there?

[Paul_E_D]

How many miles on the bike? But generally, no. All that is needed is that second kit.

[SRTie4k]

I don't know the mileage on the forks, or if they're original or not. The bike has roughly 60,000 miles on it, but it's been passed around a lot and modified many times. The last owner was smutty.

[Paul_E_D]

Hmmm, well, it doesn't hurt to have those parts on hand. If you open the forks and find the coating on the bushing is smoked, you'll be glad to have them. It's more time consuming and a bit more frustrating to replace the bushings. They can be hard to get out and re-seat on certain forks. But take your time and it's not that bad. heating the fork tube with a heat gun makes everything easier.

[SRTie4k]

For $25, I guess it makes more sense to have them and not need them than to not have them when I do need em. I can handle a $65 refresh.

[sedanman]

Way off base here but....... l just i stalled RaceTech Gold Valve equipped and resprung forks on my wife's FZ6. The ride is amazing. The small little bumps that the stock junk could handle are still just small little bumps. The big stuff that used to beat the shit out of you, feels like small little bumps. With 60k on the forks, I'd say it's time for a rebuild with an upgrade if the budget allows. Total with shipping to do the front and rear was about 1,100. Not exactly chump change but we got a Cadillac ride that doesn't bottom out and doesn't nose dive on the brakes anymore.

[number9]

Way off base here but....... l just i stalled RaceTech Gold Valve equipped and resprung forks on my wife's FZ6. The ride is amazing. The small little bumps that the stock junk could handle are still just small little bumps. The big stuff that used to beat the shit out of you, feels like small little bumps. With 60k on the forks, I'd say it's time for a rebuild with an upgrade if the budget allows. Total with shipping to do the front and rear was about 1,100. Not exactly chump change but we got a Cadillac ride that doesn't bottom out and doesn't nose dive on the brakes anymore.

Would you mind expanding on this a little? I have a VFR800 with 35k miles, so a little heavier than your bike. It's due for a refresh but it's going to be $1200 as the forks need to be straightened a hair and then rebuilt with new valves, springs and oil. (This isn't including the rear.)

[sedanman]

There is a discount available to those who have completed Lee Parks Total Control training. This cut the bill by a significant amount. We did the forks and shock with gold valves and new springs.

[SRTie4k]

As much as I'd love a resprung and revalved set of forks, I really don't want to invest that much into this bike. It's pretty old and beat up, and not even remotely worth investing that kind of money in. It's really just a cheap project bike.

[sedanman]

I understand. The FZ6 l did this too is not worth the sum of all we have done to it either. But it's paid for and the mods were done in manageable steps.

[gmdboston]

Would you mind expanding on this a little? I have a VFR800 with 35k miles, so a little heavier than your bike. It's due for a refresh but it's going to be $1200 as the forks need to be straightened a hair and then rebuilt with new valves, springs and oil. (This isn't including the rear.)

Who the Fu@$k quoted you $1200 for a rebuild and tube straightening? We do that for about $350. Includes seals, wipers, inner and outer bushings, oil and straightening 2 tubes.

[Kurlon]

It could be one of two surcharges: Either the 'I wanna watch and / or help" surcharge, or the "I tried to do it myself first" surcharge?

[number9]

Who the Fu@$k quoted you $1200 for a rebuild and tube straightening? We do that for about $350. Includes seals, wipers, inner and outer bushings, oil and straightening 2 tubes.

Pete.. it was you!! On my yellow VFR!! I should have said "that includes steering head bearings and gold valves and springs too".

I knew you would yell at me eventually, I just didn't realize it would be this soon

[gmdboston]

Pete.. it was you!! On my yellow VFR!! I should have said "that includes steering head bearings and gold valves and springs too".

I knew you would yell at me eventually, I just didn't realize it would be this soon

And people wonder why I hate the internet........

[number9]

And people wonder why I hate the internet........

It's because I'm Australian

[Stromper]

As a minimumn try whipping the seal surface with some thin plastic to make sure grit has not lifted it up


If its tiller and same forks they need some work

Asl racetech what they want