How to Change Fork Seals

The fork seals are the plastic rings that are in the center of the front forks on your motorcycle. The front forks are the two metal tubes that the front wheel is mounted between. Without proper working fork seals on your motorcycle, the fork oil or air will leak out and the forks will fail and that may subject you to serious injury. You will need basic tools and about 45 minutes to replace both of the fork seals.

Things You'll Need

• Motorcycle lift
• Wrench set
• Rubber mallet
• Flat head screwdriver
• Replacement fork seals

Instructions

1. Raise the bike off the ground using the motorcycle lift. Remove the front wheel axle using a wrench and then tap out the axle stem using the rubber mallet.

2. Pull the front wheel off the forks. Loosen the nuts at the top of the forks at the base of the handlebars using the Allen wrench. Slide the forks from the clamp.

3. Pry the old seals off the forks using the flat head screwdriver and slide them up and off the forks. Slide the new seals onto the forks and push down on them until they snap into place. Replace the forks to the clamps and tighten them. Replace the wheel to the forks the opposite way that you removed it. Lower the bike to the ground.

References

• "The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance"; Mark Zimmerman; 2003