WTB: 43mm Fork Seal Driver

[Ridick_Bowen]

Need one for my fork seal job. Someone's got one lying around. Sell it to me.

[triplestrong]

Check Motion Pro or K+L Supply. They'll have what ya need.

[AnonymousR1]

Should have asked Monday when pit posse was having a 50% off cyber Monday sale.

http://pitposse.com/pofosedr.html

[surfmoto38]

I actually took a pvc pipe with a smaller O.D. cut in half instead of using a seal driver. I was in a bind and worked out great. Just be gentle tapping on the pvc. Also dont forget to deburr the pipe before installation where it was cut.

[RayJohns]

Usually you don't even need a seal driver. The PVC pipe cut in half works fine or just anything to seat it gently.

A seal driver is nice to have, but once you use it a couple of times, it becomes clear that you could easily do the job without it also.

The Motion Pro "Ringer" driver is the one I have and it's really nice.

Ray

[triplestrong]

Originally Posted by RayJohns

Usually you don't even need a seal driver. The PVC pipe cut in half works fine or just anything to seat it gently.

A seal driver is nice to have, but once you use it a couple of times, it becomes clear that you could easily do the job without it also.

A seal driver is a MUST to ensure you don't damage anything. If you want to eventually ruin a seal or fork tube, do it this ^ way.

[RayJohns]

Originally Posted by triplestrong

A seal driver is a MUST to ensure you don't damage anything. If you want to eventually ruin a seal or fork tube, do it this ^ way.

It's helpful, but it's not really a must have tool. You can seat the oil seal a number of different ways if you get right down to it - using some PVC pipe or in some cases a large socket works.

I have a video on YouTube where I rebuild my Ohlins FG43 forks. Here's a link that jumps to the section where I install the oil seal in the fork tube. As you can see, you can almost do it by hand without any tools. I do use a seal driver and I'm not saying it's not a good tool, but it's not a must have item by any stretch. It helps quite a bit to put some heat on the tube before installing the seal also.

Jump to 53:30 in the video to see the part where the oil seal is installed. Or click the link at the top of the video there

Ray

You Tube

You Tube

[triplestrong]

The fork seal goes on the inner tube first, not installed in the outer tube first.
Use some thin plastic (the bag the seals came in, perhaps) to cover the leading edge of the inner tube, this will protect the seal lips from getting damaged while you slide it on. Install inner tube in the outer tube. Clamp seal driver around inner tube. Use the seal driver to install the seal into the outer tube, then install the clip, then the dust seal. All three parts (dust seal, clip, and main seal) should be on the inner tube prior to installing the inner tube to the outer. Your way will work in a pinch and only if absolutely necessary, but it's not common practice. Especially when you already have the proper seal driver. Sorry to thread jack, carry on.

[RayJohns]

Originally Posted by triplestrong

The fork seal goes on the inner tube first, not installed in the outer tube first.
Use some thin plastic (the bag the seals came in, perhaps) to cover the leading edge of the inner tube, this will protect the seal lips from getting damaged while you slide it on. Install inner tube in the outer tube. Clamp seal driver around inner tube. Use the seal driver to install the seal into the outer tube, then install the clip, then the dust seal. All three parts (dust seal, clip, and main seal) should be on the inner tube prior to installing the inner tube to the outer. Your way will work in a pinch and only if absolutely necessary, but it's not common practice. Especially when you already have the proper seal driver. Sorry to thread jack, carry on.

Yeah, both ways work just fine. The main thing is to avoid any damage to the seal during installation.

The Motion Pro ringer seal driver is a very good tool to have handy, that's for sure.

Ray

[RayJohns]

Originally Posted by triplestrong

Use some thin plastic (the bag the seals came in, perhaps) to cover the leading edge of the inner tube, this will protect the seal lips from getting damaged while you slide it on.

And the plastic bag trick you mention above is definitely great advice - that works well to protect the seal.

I also use that same basic method to help protect the anodized pre-load adjuster in the video above when I took the fork cap off.

Great tip

Ray

[Ridick_Bowen]

Pick one up off ebay for cheap.

[YzRacer212]

Originally Posted by RayJohns

It's helpful, but it's not really a must have tool. You can seat the oil seal a number of different ways if you get right down to it - using some PVC pipe or in some cases a large socket works.

I have a video on YouTube where I rebuild my Ohlins FG43 forks. Here's a link that jumps to the section where I install the oil seal in the fork tube. As you can see, you can almost do it by hand without any tools. I do use a seal driver and I'm not saying it's not a good tool, but it's not a must have item by any stretch. It helps quite a bit to put some heat on the tube before installing the seal also.

Jump to 53:30 in the video to see the part where the oil seal is installed. Or click the link at the top of the video there

Ray

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADRNjEnGPvI&t=53m30s

Ray, where do you get your Ohlins parts? I have some leaky seals to replace.

[RayJohns]

Originally Posted by YzRacer212

Ray, where do you get your Ohlins parts? I have some leaky seals to replace.

I purchased mine from Kyle Racing in Seaside, CA.

http://www.kyleusa.com/

Give them a call and they should be able to fix you up. Just let them know which Ohlins forks you have. Dan Kyle will usually know right off the bat.

You can also order directly from Ohlins USA. They have a sales department which can help you out. Call their US number and ask for motorcycle parts sales or something and they should be able to ship you the parts. I usually just deal with Kyle USA, because they are right down the street and I'm always over there buying parts or tweaking the bike, etc.

Ray

[YzRacer212]

Originally Posted by RayJohns

I purchased mine from Kyle Racing in Seaside, CA.

http://www.kyleusa.com/

Give them a call and they should be able to fix you up. Just let them know which Ohlins forks you have. Dan Kyle will usually know right off the bat.

You can also order directly from Ohlins USA. They have a sales department which can help you out. Call their US number and ask for motorcycle parts sales or something and they should be able to ship you the parts. I usually just deal with Kyle USA, because they are right down the street and I'm always over there buying parts or tweaking the bike, etc.

Ray

Thanks for the info!

[RayJohns]

Originally Posted by YzRacer212

Thanks for the info!

You're welcome.

Which Ohlins' forks are you rebuilding? I have a spare set of oil seals that are in good condition for the FG43 forks.

Ray

[YzRacer212]

Originally Posted by RayJohns

You're welcome.

Which Ohlins' forks are you rebuilding? I have a spare set of oil seals that are in good condition for the FG43 forks.

Ray

I am trying to figure out what model they are. I am away from home, but a buddy looked at the forks and the only number he could find was 9630 stamped on one of them. It sounds like 43mm is the common size, and on the Kyle Racing site it says the seals fit all 43mm models. Maybe you can tell from the picture?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...02%2520R12.jpg

[deadbanana0717]

Why do i not live in Cali =(... its depressing thinking about it. even more depressing driving to work LOLOL! sigh sigh sigh! =)

[Ridick_Bowen]

Women, weed & weather..............................

[YzRacer212]

I am starting to think the common R&T forks for my model were all 43mm, even though I can't find a part number I saw that Kyle's has a set of 43mm that fit all Ohlins 43mm forks, sounds like a safe bet.

[YzRacer212]

Originally Posted by YzRacer212

I am trying to figure out what model they are. I am away from home, but a buddy looked at the forks and the only number he could find was 9630 stamped on one of them. It sounds like 43mm is the common size, and on the Kyle Racing site it says the seals fit all 43mm models. Maybe you can tell from the picture?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...02%2520R12.jpg

Anyone want to guess which forks these are? I think I may contact Kyle's and see what they recommend.