time estimates

Hi,

A couple of things have to be done to a bike and this will be my first time doing it. I have to pull the steering bearings and such, clean, relube and reinstall on an XJ650. At the same time, I have to replace the fork seals and add fresh fork oil.

As this is my first time doing this, how long should I plan on taking to get it done?

In addition to the fork seals themselves, are there any additional parts I am likely to need, like the crush washers on the brake lines?

Thank you,

 

Depends how motivated you are. My bikes finally almost put backtogether after tearing it down around eight months ago. Lol.

I could see steering head bearings taking about 2-3 hours if youre working with the original ball bearing type, shorter if youre putting in tapered bearings.

As far as the forks, its hard to say. Im finally about to give my forks a shot. I get the feeling the caps and everything up top will be a pain, theres a bit of rust in the top of mine.

I cant see any real hangups with the steering head bearings....

The forks, if i remember have oil seals, dust boots up top, and an oring near the top of the forks under the cap i think. You might be able to reuse the dust boots, but youll probably need to replace the oring.

Thats all on a 550 seca, i cant imagine too much of a difference though. Unless you have those air assisted forks or whatever, then im not sure.

 

I would put in progressive springs if you don't already have them.

Took me and a helper about 4 or 5 hours to do the fork seals. One cap just would not come out. Kroil and a heat wrench got it out.

 

You should replace the crush washers, (2) per banjo bolt/union, yes.

Figure 3X as long as originally planned so you don't rush.

Get some Kroil (nothing else works, honest) or you may not get them apart.

As for the steering head:

Don't remove, clean and replace those 18 individual balls (per side) replace the steering head bearings with a KIT of tapered roller bearings. No more cleaning/lubing AND they won't "dimple" or fail like the originals. You're going to get it all apart and find a bunch of "divots" in the bearing races, trust me. Have a rebuild kit standing by; do it once and be done. Tapered roller bearings will outlast the bike.

Oh, and +1 on the Progressive springs. Cheap upgrade and it makes more of a difference than you'd imagine.