Another VF500F fork question - repacking

[tinkerinWstuff]

I was hoping some of you folks with fork experiance could take a look at these pictures and tell me what the odds are that these sliders will accept seals.

There's some damage at the top of the slider tube and there is some amount of out-of-round. I've never done forks. I can see from the parts list what order the seals go in but it's hard to tell where everything seats. There are some nicks in the tube too but I can try to polish down any high spots.

Clearly the right answer would be to replace them but that just isn't a likely option at this point unless they fall from the sky right into my lap. I can attempt to massage some of the damage out of the tube... Anyway, both tubes have some damage in the same spot. I'm sure one of you can tell me how this happens but all I can figure is some dummy uses ratchet strap hooks on the fork tubes during transport.

This is the outboard side of the left hand tube. The tube on the left has the worst damage.


Another photo from the front of the bike. Because of the orientation, you see color removed from the tube in the bottom of the picture. This is the inboard side of the tube and that is just from a line chaffing over the years. Look at the outboard side of the photo (top of the picture) and see the deformation.

[TOE CUTTER]

You need to pop the seals out and check to see if the bore is still round and will allow the seal to fit.It is tough to tell how bad it really is with the dark backround.

[slowbird]

Are the sliders damaged too?

[tinkerinWstuff]

TC - updated with new image, maybe that helps...

[JamieDaugherty]

That's pretty typical damage. The seals will fit just fine, no problems.

[tinkerinWstuff]

Thanks Jamie.

Can you enlighten me on how this happens?

Is there any way to know if the bushings are ok before tearing it down and measuring?

Typically, I'd just replace any wear components and be done with it but money has just got too tight and I've already thrown more money at this bike than I normally would spend on something I picked up as a "project"

[volks6000]

when the bike gets droped on it's side the turn sig. get crushed onto the forks.

[tinkerinWstuff]

How long should it take a guy to pull one side down, repack, and reinstall?

The left side is really leaking bad and I am hoping, weather permitting, to truck my bike over the mountains next weekend for a post-turkey day ride.

Even if I could order one kit tomorrow, I wouldn't get it 'till Tuesday if I was lucky and I would have Tuesday evening to reassemble and that's that hit the road jack.

But really, unless I'm completely dead/immobile/caput, I don't like to tear stuff down and wait for anticipated parts to come in when "promised"

[JamieDaugherty]

Is there any way to know if the bushings are ok before tearing it down and measuring?

Not really. You have to do a visual inspection to see if the Teflon layer is worn away.

when the bike gets droped on it's side the turn sig. get crushed onto the forks.

In fact, I've found that just bumping into it with your leg in the garage can bend the turn signal bracket in. On the 500's it rubs the forks, on the 1000R's it rubs both the forks and the front fender. You see this damage very often.

How long should it take a guy to pull one side down, repack, and reinstall?

That depends on how many times you've done it. I'd plan on 2-3 hours at least. That includes the time to pull the forks off the bike and reinstall everything. When getting parts, don't forget to buy new copper washers for the damping rod bolts. I replace those every time. In case you don't already know, only use Honda seals. Aftermarket seals will be junk in less than a year. My advice would be to go ahead and replace all of the bushings. I know you mentioned that your budget is tight, but in the long run this will save you from having to pull the forks down again.

[86INTERCEPTOR500@NCSU]

Sorry to bring back a old post, but is there anyplace besides bikebandit to get the true honda seals? I checked ebay and all I can seem to find are the cheaper aftermarket kind. I havent checked my local honda shop yet but do they still carry it?

Thanks

[tinkerinWstuff]

I bought the seal, dust seal, and bushings from my local mother honda store back in November.

[invisible cities]

If you can, I would hold out for a set on eBay. NOS sets are listed from time to time.

If you are in a pinch it looks like CMS Spares stocks them, but I'm afraid you have to give your eye teeth to get them:

seal set fr fork honda

[JamieDaugherty]

Go to your local dealer. They are pretty cheap through them, by the time you pay for shipping/handling through an online source you would probably be paying more than your local dealer.

[invisible cities]

My mistake, I did not realize that they are still available from Honda.

[86INTERCEPTOR500@NCSU]

Thanks! I will be having to replace mine soon... I dread the work, I have never done it before but I believe with all the info on here I can get through it.