sgt bilco
New Member
Just noticed I have a fork seal gone.
Is it a big job with the electronic suspension?
Is it a big job with the electronic suspension?
Thanks Matt. I'll search for that thread.It's a messy job, but it's not overly hard. A few specialized tools are needed to make the job easier. Find a digital copy of the Service Manual. I think I got mine from one of the many Super Tenere Facebook groups.
Off the top of my head, I had to buy the following to augment my existing tools:
- ES-specific fork spring compressor
- Tusk Fork Seal Driver 43mm
- Damper rod tool
- Fork oil level tool
There is a really good thread on this site where I posted all my questions before doing the job, including what additional parts one should replace when rebuilding the forks.
Do you have Skock Socks installed ? They work great for extending fork seal life.Just noticed I have a fork seal gone.
Is it a big job with the electronic suspension?
ThanksAll of the ES bits are integral to the fork caps, so no complicated mechanisms or anything to worry about. I would set the suspension to the reference position (one rider, no luggage) just to be cautious. Other than the special spring compressor nothing special because of the ES.
No, but I will haveDo you have Skock Socks installed ? They work great for extending fork seal life.
I use the Kriega ones on my bike, they seem to do a good job. Cheap and five mins to fit.No, but I will have
I’ve previously used the seal cleaner method and it can work. I used a small piece of old camera film that I had.When you say that you have a fork seal gone, to you mean that it has literally fallen apart, or is it just leaking? Before you spend the time and money to replace a seal, you could try using a fork seal cleaner to sweep between the fork seal and the fork tube to remove any debris that might be stuck in there. Even a tiny bit of sand can cause a fork seal to leak, and removing it can stop the leak.
This is what the tool looks like:
There are other brands, but they're all pretty much the same; a very thin piece of plastic that slips between the seal and the tube. There are videos on Youtube on how to use the tool. It's a cheap troubleshooting method that, if it works, can save you a lot of aggravation.
Tried the cleaner and to no avail. I'll get my buddy to do it who owns a bike shop and has everything he needs as it looks a bit too much for my garage.When you say that you have a fork seal gone, to you mean that it has literally fallen apart, or is it just leaking? Before you spend the time and money to replace a seal, you could try using a fork seal cleaner to sweep between the fork seal and the fork tube to remove any debris that might be stuck in there. Even a tiny bit of sand can cause a fork seal to leak, and removing it can stop the leak.
This is what the tool looks like:
There are other brands, but they're all pretty much the same; a very thin piece of plastic that slips between the seal and the tube. There are videos on Youtube on how to use the tool. It's a cheap troubleshooting method that, if it works, can save you a lot of aggravation.
If the seals do need replaced, are you planning on doing it yourself? Do you have a service manual? I've replaced seals and pistons on my 2014 standard model, and it's not a highly technical process, but there are a lot of steps involved. You'll also need some specialized tools, like a fork spring compressor and a seal driver.
My service manual has the steps for the fork removal and seal replacement for a 2014-2015 ES model, but I'm pretty sure all ES models have the same procedure. I also have some step by step instructions I made up for myself on how to remove the forks from my standard bike and disassemble/reassemble them. I also have some information I compiled from posts on this site about how to change fork seals, and a couple Super Tenere specific videos on how to change seals on a standard model. The videos are probably too big to attach in here, but If you plan on doing this yourself and you want any of the written information, I can post it here.
I always thought that shock sox would trap grit between the slider and the sock and cause premature wear to the slider?Yes it’s very important to keep Shock Sox’s clean otherwise forget about using them.
i always replace seals and bushings at the same time and prefer to do both forks at the same time rather than tear everything apart again in a couple weeks.
Good question. It would be easy enough to cross check the part numbers at one of the on-line genuine parts sellers like Partzilla or similar.Planning on doing some preventative maintenace on my S10 ES. Are the dust/oil seal and slider bushings the same as the non ES?