K11 Owners Group

[Che sera sera]

My last bike was an r1100rs with the telelever front end. Changing fork seals was a doddle (15 mins per side, all done from the top, wheel etc attached). My k1100rs seals are now leaking and it'll be the first time I've attempted changing seals on "conventional" forks.

I don't have a manual but still want to do it myself - is there anywhere an idiots guide how to change (including drain and refill with fresh fluid?).

Hoping and thanking in adance
_________________
'96 K1100rs
'93 r1100rs (probably on the way out)

[gladstone]

Hi,

I had the front forks off my LT recently to fit gaitors and thought about swapping the seals, but it all seemed a bit difficult. The most difficult bit was getting the abs sensor out - took an hour of banging and twisting, being careful not to damage the pickup.

Got the gaitors on fine (and regreased the steering bearings at the same time) but ended up getting the seals done at a bmw dealer for £150 all in.

Cheers
_________________
1993 K1100LT (x2!)
1998 R1100R - gone
1994 R1100GS - gone
1990 K100RS 16V - gone

[malcolmt]

You gotta remove the brake calipers and remove the wheel.
Take the mudgard and fork brace off.
I dont drain the old oil out, at the bottom of each stanchion is a cap screw. Take that out and the oild drains with it, this saves damaging the fragile drain plus.

There is no need to remove that stanchions.

The stanchions should now pull off.
Once off there is a clip to remove and the seals should prise out.

If you fancy fitting gaiters then its a good time. My "gaiters"are universal steering rack boots, cost me bout $2 each.

Malcolm(t)
Joburg,
Souf Efrica
_________________
******************************
A Bike on the road is worth two
in the shed
******************************

[SugarHillCTD]

Malcolm's quickie instructions are good.

The biggest problem I had was getting the "C" clips out of the fork lowers. Someone here once suggested that their wife (or significant other) was successful very quickly after they themselves had failed badly in the garage.
I could not get the clips out- brought them into the kitchen and Cathy had them both out in a few seconds

I have to find the K1100 manual (a pdf file) on one of my computers and send it to you. Maybe someone else has it on their hard drive and can do it easier.

Good luck.

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

[malcolmt]

As said...the C clips holding the seals in can be a pain.
I have a cheapo set of jewelers screwdrivers for this job.
Get the thinest one in and pulling the clip back slightly, then then thye next size larger in and move it some more till it can be peeled out.

I've done a few fork seals on my K's and for a few buddies.
The only serious hassle was on one leg of my K11.
The slider wouldnt pull off the fork leg.

I could shift it, my wife took it to BMW who could shift it. BMW sent it to a specialist engineering company who got it apart.
Fortunatly the BMW service manager gave my wife a mouthful about people attempting jobs, making an ar$e of it and expecting BMW to sort it out.

I had a "quiet word" with the dealership manager and they very kindly didnt charge for spliting the fork leg.
_________________
******************************
A Bike on the road is worth two
in the shed
******************************

[DaveVoorhis]

If you're replacing the seals, there's no point in treating them nice. Don't worry about carefully removing the C clips. Instead, use a large nail, wood screw, pick, screwdriver, or other pointy tool to pierce the seal, bend it inward, and pry it out from under the C clip.

Without a seal under it, the C clip can then be easily popped out prior to installing the new seal.

When shredding the old seal, try not to scratch the fork tube or drop bits down it.
_________________
'93 K1100RS
Dave #3

[drikko]

Woh, hang on guys, the C clip is dead easy to get out. 2 small screwdrivers is all it takes. The ends of the C clip are bevelled so one end lets you stick a screwdriver under the end, twist it, stick the other screwdriver under the ring where it has a gap now and out it comes! Easy. I posted a picture of this somewhere, will look for it.

Edit: Here ya go http://www.k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8944&highlight=fork
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

[SugarHillCTD]

drikko,

From what I have read, some "C" clips are easier than others.

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

[drikko]

They must be female...
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

[SugarHillCTD]

drikko,

From what I have read, some "C" clips are easier than others.

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

[552255]

C-clips were in real PIA, absolutely. Took several tries with diff. 'tools' to get it out. Technique is...learned i suppose. Fork removal (seal replacement) is involved: fenders, calipers, sensor, handlebar/fairing access to 'fork tree' bolts, brace, fork disassembly--hours of time. Going rate for motorcyle mechanics i've heard, about 80 bucks an hour...time well spent.
_________________
1997 K1100LT-SE
1996 K1100RS-SE
"Black & Silver Duo"
Lincoln, NE

[Al.]

Ypu just need to be very careful not to damage edge of fork tube taking out bits. ! Lots of posts on this job - maybe up to 3 years ago ! !