K11 Owners Group

[Burnetbulldog]

While Clymer is great on detail, it seems to lack somewhat on overview information. Can someone tell me, in general, how much disassembly is necessary to replace the seals, and which parts are generally, or should be, replaced? Never done this, and I'd kinda like to replace the seals with otters...
_________________
1993KRS, 2012 HondaNC700X

[Scott_Anderson]

For me, I got the best results from removing the whole fork tube from the triple tree and did the repairs on a bench. After I did this, no leaks, close to 5yrs now.
It did involve a bit more work, but after the 2nd set of seals leaked in less than a year, and leaving the upper tube still mounted in the bike both times, I decided there has to be a more reliable way to do this.
_________________
Ride safe.



1995 K1100LT 0302044
1997 R1100RT ZC62149
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)

[ljjohns]

And in case you haven't retrofitted your bike, check out gaiters for the forks--they'll reduce, substantially, the need to replace the seals as they block the stuff that erodes the seals and their seats.

Larry Johnson
_________________
1993 K1100LT (Washington)
1995 K1100LTSE
1996 K1100LTSE (parts)
2003 K1200LTC
1991 K75RT

[Burnetbulldog]

Thanks for the guidance. It looks the needed parts on fiche#31 will be 344-cup, 345-gasket, and 347-guide bush, about $200 total - does that sound about right?
_________________
1993KRS, 2012 HondaNC700X

[Inge K.]

Would add to your list:
334-snap ring (could be badly corroded, check first)
346-bush
349-o-ring
477-o-ring

[Grunter]

The fork tubes are retained at the bottom by a 8mm socket headed screw. The last time I replaced the seals which was some time ago. (not on my bike) The screws were well bedded in and took a lot of effort to get them to move. The socket is not very deep and unless you have an Allen key which is in 1st class condition and clean out the socket before you try, you are on the fast track to irreparably damaging the screw.

DO NOT use an impact wrench as this can damage the soft alloy tubes.

I eventually removed the ones from the forks on my friends LT with the aid of a fair bit of heat and wide screw extractor. They are made from steel, but in fact seem to be made of high class cream cheese! I would suggest that you have a pair of new ones ready to fit.

I will also go along with fitting gaiters, the ones on my current K1100LT were fitted from new (20 years ago) and the seals are the originals.
_________________
1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS

[Burnetbulldog]

Thank you, brickers! How do you go about sourcing gaiters with the right dimensions?
Inge, I don't see 346-bush on Maxbmw's #31 fiche. I do plan to replace the guide bushes (347).Can you describe where 346 goes?
As general information, why is the term "blow" the fork seals used? I know what it means to blow a tire, but in the context of fork seals, does "blowing" mean to develop a significant leak in a short period of time? I would think seal leaks would start small and gradually increase rather than being catastrophic.
I appreciate y'alls help! Owen
_________________
1993KRS, 2012 HondaNC700X

[Jim]

Yes - a significant leak in a short period of time. Although some might use the term to describe a small leak.

/6 BMW gaiters will fit (I think those are the ones I have on an older bike). A lot of guys use cheaper Rancho gaiters. If you use the search button at the top of any page, you'll find plenty of posts about which gaiters to use.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repairing
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

[Corkboy]

And finally, I found that sliding the new seals all the way down the (slightly lubed) inner tubes and seating them on the outer tubes gave better results than trying to fit the seals to the outer tubes and then trying to assemble the inner tubes.

I used a plastic water pipe that had the right diameter to rest on the outside seal shoulder to drift the seal into the outer fork. Bring the new/old seal with you to a hardware store and find a bit of pipe that will do the trick.
_________________
'08 K1200GT
'87 K100RS 0140995 (Gone)
'97 K1100LT 0188024 (Gone)
'08 Transalp 700 (Gone)

[Inge K.]

[Inge K.]

[N41EF]

I have a pair of Rancho gaiters if you want them. I bought them for the winter maintenance, and sold the K bike. Let me know if you want them.
_________________
2014 R1200RT Water Cooled
2001 R1100S Light
1993 K1100LT. Nissan Ice Blue.(Gone)

[Burnetbulldog]

N41EF, I sent you a pm
_________________
1993KRS, 2012 HondaNC700X