Fork Seals

[Frankencelery]

I replaced the fork seals on my 250sx about a year ago, and one is leaking already. Does anyone have any recommendations on this? I think I used Honda seals, but I can't find the invoice, so I'm not sure.

[Frankencelery]

I just did a search on "fork seals" and rebuild and didn't find anything yet, but I see that DC keeps mentioning the "coated bushings". Not sure what those are. DC, if you're out there, can you tell me which part this is from the diagram? Hope this link works.....

http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/servicehonda/Honda_OEM/HondaATV.asp?Type=13&A=17&B=26

Or are these bushing something I would only find on the air/oil shocks?

[Erics350x]

get # 15 as a set and you should be good. Maybe you just replaced the dust seals last time?

[Frankencelery]

No, I replaced the seals as well, but I understand your asking.

[Name Brand]

One of my seals blew out on me after about 30 miles worth of riding. I had rebuilt the entire front end and rebuilt the front shocks with the kit available from Honda. I'm awfully sure I put both sides together the same way.

I didn't have time to fix it before I left, so I am still wondering if the seal was damaged or defective. I'll replace it with Honda parts again. The seals I took out were likely original and still in fair shape (one was starting to weep). I'm led to believe that I just got a bad part.

[Dirtcrasher]

There are "guide bushings" just below that seal and lower, they pop out when you remove the leg. They are coated with ?? teflon?? some gray material but it keeps things tight and aligned.

OEM is best IMO..... And the only other reason seals blow are: incorrect oil level, air in the forks, bent forks or a ding in the upper tube.

I don't even see them in that fiche :lol:

EDIT - Bushing guide, bushing slider.

I don't see them on the 250SX? Then again, I run 200X fronts anyhow so I'm not sure (anymore) how the 250SX is set up. Maybe the tube running in the aluminum itself is how they roll......

[Frankencelery]

I just ordered #15. If these leak, I'm going to do the upgrade to the 200x forks! Isn't there some welding involved, to fix the stop? I'd have to get someone to do that.

[ceaserthethird]

Make sure you add the Correct oz. of fluid to each fork !

[Dirtcrasher]

The poor mans upgraded 250SX front end is to merely slide in stock 200X forks (which can be found for about 30$ on EBAY) into your SX tripples. No welding required.

Then you can either run no front brake (as the 200X fork has no provisions for the SX drum setup) with spacers to center the stock SX wheel and or run a 250R,200X,350X front wheel with a disc and make spacers to center the rim and space the caliper over.......

It's really very easy if you have some pipe, some stock spacers, some loner 8MM bolts and a bit of ingenuity :D Oh yeah, and you'll need a portion of a brain too :w00t:

Most people just use the whole 200X front because then it's bolt on and complete aside from welding steering stops. But, then we still have knuckleheads running it with no stops anyhow and either using a plastic tank as a "stop" or they dent the snot out of a good 250SX metal tank.

[ceaserthethird]

Not bad idea complete 200x front end , keep us up-dated

[Lukeatc185]

sorry to kinda highjack, but does any 1 have a easy method to un seize a fork?

[Dirtcrasher]

^ If it's "bound" from being bent it can come apart. But if it's seized from being open to the elements and all rusted up, there wouldn't be any reason to disassemble it unless a lower aluminum fork leg were still good and useful for another build.

You have your reasons..... I'm sure by heating, cutting and or soaking you can get to whatever part you need. But again, if it's locked right up, I doubt it's salvageable.

[Lukeatc185]

well its weird. i had a 79 honda 250xl in my garage for about 4 years. tranny was completly gone, so i stripped it down and kept all the good parts. one fork is mint. doesent leak and still has no back and fourth play. the other just seized. i dont know how, its locked up tight! i soaked it in penatrating oil. still nothing.