Are fork tubes interchangeable on XJ700N?

My left fork is leaking (even after I had seals installed by a shop soon after I bought the bike). It appears that there may be a small nick in the tube that is causing the problem. I have a parts bike with a good tube on the right side. I assume the tubes are interchangeable, but just want to be sure before starting.

 

Before you change out the tubes post a pic of the knick. Most of the time they can be polished out, or filled with epoxy.

 

I would think they are the same. However, make sure you have a donor one from an "Air cooled" xj700 though, as the X models had air assisted forks.

 

It is so small that it doesn't show on a picture. Smaller than a pin head and deep enough to feel . I've cleaned and filled it with JB Weld and polished it smooth but so far the leak hasn't stopped. It's just a slight leak so I've been wiping it every day or so, but now I want to get it fixed permanently.

The parts bike I have is an air cooled XJ700.

 

Did you also replace the seal? A knick will tear the seal.

The upper tubes are interchangable from side to side. The one from your parts bike can be swapped into your lower tube (along with a new fork seal to be sure it doesn't leak).

 

I assume the nick was there before I had the seals replaced. If the spare tube is good and smooth then I'm going to use it along with new seals.

 

What seals were used? I had trouble with after-market seals only lasting two years. Last time I put in OEM seals and two years later, still working fine.

 

I have no idea what seals the shop used, but I'll get good ones when I get time to do it. I've heard from others that some of the after market seals don't do well.