Fork Dust Seals

nadz · 1 Sep 2011 at 16:01

I recently started riding my bandit 600 after passing my test, but today i noticed my dust seals are cracked and rotting. I can pick up a set for pretty cheap, but the question is, are they easy to fit for someone who doesn't have a lot of "DIY" attitude?

it's a 1999 GSF600 btw

thanks

VoG · 1 Sep 2011 at 16:11

dead easy to fit, just do it one fork leg at a time so you've got an "unmolested" fork leg to refer to if your feeling a little apprehensive about the whole thing.

nadz · 1 Sep 2011 at 16:16

thanks

Dogbreath · 1 Sep 2011 at 18:24

I presume your bandit has a center stand in which case the job is very simple. You need to remove the front wheel spindle and wheel, remove the front mudguard and callipers from the forks and then undo the clamps on the yokes. The forks will then slide out. The dust seals are just pressed into the top of the fork lowers and should be easy to remove and replace.

However...once you have the fork legs out it would be daft not to change the oil in them unless you know it's been done recently. Many owners never bother and the oil degrades over time, reducing the damping and spoiling the bikes handling.

MouseMat2004 · 3 Sep 2011 at 12:00

They do crack and the internals rust, but apart from looking a little naff it's not an actual problem. It wont fail an MOT.

I guess since they are conventional forks and easily replaced without splitting the forks, you may aswell get them done.