1989 cr250r fork seals, HELP!!

Matt.P
Profile picture for user Matt.P
Posts
10
Joined
3/31/2014
Location
CA
Matt.P
Edited Date/Time 4/12/2014 7:50am
So i've watched videos on how to replace fork seals but never seen any videos for this year (Since the 89 had damper rod style usd forks). I have been able to get the cap off, oil drained, and spring out but this is where I'm stuck, from what i've seen this is where you pull the fork apart almost using it like a slide hammer. I've tried this but it won't come apart, is it different for these forks? am I just not pulling it hard enough? some sort of trick to it?

any help is appreciated, thanks matt
|
scooter5002
Profile picture for user scooter5002
Posts
4748
Joined
6/6/2010
Location
Nanton Alberta, CA
scooter5002 3/31/2014 8:36pm
3/31/2014 8:36pm Edited Date/Time 3/31/2014 8:41pm
If they're USD forks, they likely come apart the same way. You have the dust seal out, and the retainer clip removed? If so, they might just be real happy together. Close em up, and yank hard! Last time I did my 04 450's, they were a real bitch to get apart.
Matt.P
Profile picture for user Matt.P
Posts
10
Joined
3/31/2014
Location
CA
Matt.P 3/31/2014 8:56pm
3/31/2014 8:56pm
I wasn't pulling too hard because I wasn't even sure if that was the right way but I'll gove them a good pull tomorrow. thanks for the reply
lumpy790
Profile picture for user lumpy790
Posts
11459
Joined
9/18/2007
Location
York, SC, USA
lumpy790 4/1/2014 5:44am
4/1/2014 5:44am
The damping rod does not have to come out however it makes cleaning contaminants out easier.

You will usually have damage to the 2 bushings. Replace them with OEM.

Want these forks to work really well? Replace the springs with a set of Progressive fork springs and raise fork fluid level to max height.

The Shop

See All »
Matt.P
Profile picture for user Matt.P
Posts
10
Joined
3/31/2014
Location
CA
Matt.P 4/1/2014 8:27am
4/1/2014 8:27am
lumpy790 wrote:
The damping rod does not have to come out however it makes cleaning contaminants out easier. You will usually have damage to the 2 bushings. Replace...
The damping rod does not have to come out however it makes cleaning contaminants out easier.

You will usually have damage to the 2 bushings. Replace them with OEM.

Want these forks to work really well? Replace the springs with a set of Progressive fork springs and raise fork fluid level to max height.
so if I take the damping rod out, how do I do that. I've got a pic of the bottom of my fork and it's not a nut?

also I'm doing mostly xc woods riding, would progressive springs still be a good investment? and should i still fill fork fluid to max or would there be a better woods setup?
lumpy790
Profile picture for user lumpy790
Posts
11459
Joined
9/18/2007
Location
York, SC, USA
lumpy790 4/1/2014 8:50am
4/1/2014 8:50am
its a huge allen socket and requires at least a air impact gun to get it out but ofter requires a special too to hold the rod base.

You will also need a tank to clean / rinse with solvent.

To get the tubes apart takes some good hard fast extensions of the two tubes. Sometimes they will stick and smacking the fork on a 2x4 will get it to compress again. You do have the cap off the rod and the spring removed right?
pete24
Profile picture for user pete24
Posts
2733
Joined
10/20/2011
Location
Marlborough, MA, USA
pete24 4/1/2014 10:24am
4/1/2014 10:24am
use a map gas torch on the bushings- rite behind where the seal is- for 15 seconds, they will come rite apart and if your carefull you wont wreck the bushings but if they are 20 years old you should replace them
Matt.P
Profile picture for user Matt.P
Posts
10
Joined
3/31/2014
Location
CA
Matt.P 4/1/2014 12:48pm
4/1/2014 12:48pm
yes I have the cap off and spring out, am I ok to leave the damping rod in? or is it completely necessary to remove it
slipdog
Profile picture for user slipdog
Posts
10054
Joined
7/25/2009
Location
Nor Cal, CA, USA
slipdog 4/1/2014 2:08pm
4/1/2014 2:08pm
That's not a damper rod fork. The photo you posted shows a standard base valve for a cartridge. Race Tech also shows that they have a Gold Valve for that bike so it's a cartridge system. You don't need to remove the base valve(though you should to clean like Lumpy suggested) to get the tubes apart. Heat the outer tubes like Pete24 said and they will come apart.
lumpy790
Profile picture for user lumpy790
Posts
11459
Joined
9/18/2007
Location
York, SC, USA
lumpy790 4/1/2014 7:34pm
4/1/2014 7:34pm
Honda CR's went to cartridge forks in I believe 1987 so yes they are cartridge forks.
Matt.P
Profile picture for user Matt.P
Posts
10
Joined
3/31/2014
Location
CA
Matt.P 4/1/2014 7:51pm
4/1/2014 7:51pm
ok thanks, i heard somewhere that they were damper rod in 89 so that's just what I was going with, I have no idea what either looks like inside
Matt.P
Profile picture for user Matt.P
Posts
10
Joined
3/31/2014
Location
CA
Matt.P 4/9/2014 1:03pm
4/9/2014 1:03pm
So I've figured it all out up to pounding in the seals, when I went to do it the seals would not go into the fork at all? It's like the od is too big, the seals i bought are moose and they say right on them that they will fit a 89-91 cr250r? anyone else had this problem or know what this might be any help is appreciated thanks
slipdog
Profile picture for user slipdog
Posts
10054
Joined
7/25/2009
Location
Nor Cal, CA, USA
slipdog 4/9/2014 4:25pm
4/9/2014 4:25pm
Your seals should measure 45mm(id) x 57mm(od) x 11mm(thickness)
Matt.P
Profile picture for user Matt.P
Posts
10
Joined
3/31/2014
Location
CA
Matt.P 4/10/2014 12:08pm
4/10/2014 12:08pm
I just measured mine and they are 57.67mm(od) 10.98mm(thickness) but they are only 42.12mm(id) and the id fits the forks perfect? does this mean that the forks might be off another bike?

the seals od is correct but wont fit

the seals id is wrong but fits perfect
Matt.P
Profile picture for user Matt.P
Posts
10
Joined
3/31/2014
Location
CA
Matt.P 4/11/2014 8:07pm
4/11/2014 8:07pm
no one knows what the problem might be?? or what forks these could be if they're not the 89's?
slipdog
Profile picture for user slipdog
Posts
10054
Joined
7/25/2009
Location
Nor Cal, CA, USA
slipdog 4/12/2014 6:37am
4/12/2014 6:37am
If I had to guess, I'd say it may have more to do with the quality of those crappy aftermarket fork seals. You should take them back for a refund and explain they don't fit in correctly and get either a Pro-x kit or go directly to a Honda shop.

You're asking for trouble if you don't use Japanese NOK seals. JMHO after over a decade of suspension tuning.
Matt.P
Profile picture for user Matt.P
Posts
10
Joined
3/31/2014
Location
CA
Matt.P 4/12/2014 7:50am
4/12/2014 7:50am
thanks, i think i'm going to get a chance to go in the my local honda dealer today, I'll tell them my problem and see if they have any.

Post a reply to: 1989 cr250r fork seals, HELP!!