Fork seals

[MaximX]

Hey all I am wondering what the difficulty factor is on changing out fork seals on my 85 Yamaha Maxim.  Are there special tools required?  Would you think it better to just take it to Yamaha?  Input appreciated.

Mike

[Hans]

It's not hard, but it can be fiddly and a bit messy.  The worst part is figuring out how to press the new seals back into the lowers without destroying them. You need to do this with the upper tube installed.  You can sometime fashion a press/pounder from PVC pipe if the diameter is close enough, if it's a bit too big, you can hacksaw up the tube to relieve it and squish it down with a hose clamp.  Or you can get Jeff to machine you a pounder for an appropriate fee. 

[MaximX]

Thanks Hans.  I did look at a couple of YouTube videos and found one that showed how to do exactly what you are talking about in placing the new seals into the forks.  Thanks.

[Hans]

There is also the opportunity to replace the inner and outer fork bushings at the same time.  You can check their condition after you take the fork apart.  Usually fairly inexpensive and can really make a difference in how they operate.

[Olafskii]

I've made up seal drivers out of Aluminum pipe for all the bikes I've done the forks on (suzuki DR650, Yamaha XT225 and Yamaha RD400).  If any of them fit your Maxim, I'll lend it to you.

Olaf

[MaximX]

Thanks Olaf, at the moment I still have one stubborn bolt that will not budge on the top of one fork.  If any of you have suggestions on how to break it loose fire away.  So far I have had penetrating oil on it for weeks, heated up the fork tube several times and hitting it with my electric impact gun (sort of gently, not getting too carried away there as the alum. nut is starting to show signs of the impact).  Yesterday I glued on my six sided socket to that nut with JB Weld.  Plan to hit it harder with the impact after doing this.....