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well since im about to put my bike together i need to get all this stuff done. I dont think my seals are leaking but there is alot of dirt right on top of the dust seal. Is there any way to clean this off without getting dirt into my oil seals. I am going to need new fork boots casue the ones i have each have rips. I was wondering if they make those cool short ones like the have on the kx's for the kdx's. Thanks

Not sure what your talking about Ryan.... short boots?

Short will limit your suspension...

i will show you hold on

They make short seal savers if thats what your refering to Ryan.

yes thats what i mean. Do they make them for the kdx forks or just the kx??

vince has them on his bike, i guess they are called seal savers. Do they make them for the kdx?

They make different sizes. They should have one that fits the KDX forks.

They make them for your forks but I think they make the KDX frontend look like toothpicks.... IMHO...

Here's a little review on the seal savers Ryan....

http://kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1140

well i guess i will use the regular ones then. Also is there anyway to remove the dirt around the dust seals without pushing it into the oil seals. thanks

Ryan, do you have an air compressor?

Do you already have the dust seals slid up the fork legs? If not, you can do that, and check for dirt on top of the oil seals. Be sure to use a small scredriver (flat head) to pop out the circlip first.

BE CAREFUL to not touch the chrome inner fork tube with the screwdriver.

ok i will do this when i get home from school. one of the clips is rusted, so im not sure if i can get it out easily, but it must be done!!!!

kdx220freak wrote:well i guess i will use the regular ones then. Also is there anyway to remove the dirt around the dust seals without pushing it into the oil seals. thanks

Here's another unsolicitted opinion.
On conventional forks, I am convinced those accordion style rubber boots with the drain holes in the bottom are effective and easy to clean. My seal savers (short) hold water and dirt and are a pain to clean undrneath when dirt does get in. I used them at first because I like the look and the concept of keeping dirt completely away from the seals. Unfortunately dirt does get in somehow and then one needs to clean them well.

On upside down forks, I have never seen a better system for keeping dirt off the seals. My experience is USD forks are losing seals to dirt far more frequently than conventional forks so I do everything I can to keep those forks spotless around the seals.

re: 'I was wondering if they make those cool short ones like the have on the kx's for the kdx's. Thanks'


Another example of form following function...or at least it SHOULD.

Looking 'cool' doesn't necessarily equate to a good idea. The accordian boots on the KDX are functional, do a very good job of what they are SUPPOSED to do.

Use caution if you heading toward 'cool' on your bike. Make sure the function of the bike is not hampered by strapping on some cobbled goober because it's 'cool'.

Take your time with it, and use a small flat head screwdriver. Unless it is just barely rusty and can be cleaned up easily, I suggest you get a new one. Rust flakes and shiny chrome tubes don't play well together.

Is the dust seal set down in the fork's outer tube, or does its outer edge rest above the tube? If it is above, use the screwdriver to GENTLY pry around the dust seal until it pops out, then slide it up. If it sets down in there, then don't mess with it.