Hey guys, I need some advice. I have an old ’85 KDX200 that I need to replace the fork seals on. For background, I’m pretty much a mechanical novice with an average selection of tools. Biggest thing I’ve ever done one a bike to date was pull out and rip apart my carb. I don’t know much about suspension at all, so I’m a bit scared on this one. I already have the seals, and I’m wondering if I should tackle this myself, or just buck up the 1 ½ hours of labor for a local shop to do it?
Also, I’m fat and poor, so I need stiffer springs but can’t afford them. When the forks are apart, is there a spacer of some sort I could fabricate to compress the spring more? Can I do this to the rear spring as well?
Thanks for any advice on this matter. PS, if there are any good links or tutorials that would walk me through this process I would be most grateful!
Thanks,
-Superwilly
Fork Seals Help?
- Superwilly
- Member
- Posts: 26
- Joined: 11:58 am Aug 25 2006
- Country:
- Location: Medicine Hat, AB
Fork Seals Help?
'85 KDX 200
- canyncarvr
- Gold Member
- Posts: 6943
- Joined: 01:07 pm Nov 05 2004
- Country: US
- Location: The Mythical State of Jefferson
KDXer's of this vintage please correct as necessary.
Take a looksee here!.
Note it's an 'H' bike...but close in most ways as far as the spring/service part goes.
There is a KYB USD service link on the KX fork front page that is also helpfully similar. Basically: Remove the base valve, top cap, spring (and whatever spacers and stuff), dust seal, circlip, tap-tap-tap 'em apart.
The 'tap' part NOT being huge lunging slams..and not tiddly-winks, either.
Fudging on an inadequate spring to make up for what is really needed (a correct spring rated spring) won't be helpful to you. You will change the free sag (in a bad way) but the RATE of the spring will remain the same.
A fork seal driver is an excellent tool to have...but not cheap ($45 or so). You can make something that will do out of PVC pipe.
Should you tackle it yourself?
You bet!!
Take a looksee here!.
Note it's an 'H' bike...but close in most ways as far as the spring/service part goes.
There is a KYB USD service link on the KX fork front page that is also helpfully similar. Basically: Remove the base valve, top cap, spring (and whatever spacers and stuff), dust seal, circlip, tap-tap-tap 'em apart.
The 'tap' part NOT being huge lunging slams..and not tiddly-winks, either.
Fudging on an inadequate spring to make up for what is really needed (a correct spring rated spring) won't be helpful to you. You will change the free sag (in a bad way) but the RATE of the spring will remain the same.
A fork seal driver is an excellent tool to have...but not cheap ($45 or so). You can make something that will do out of PVC pipe.
Should you tackle it yourself?
You bet!!
Consider the source
Using a perceived level of knowledge to boost my self worth.
Non impediti ratione cogitationis
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