I have been riding for about six months and have learned alot, both about maintaining and riding. The other morning when I came out to my 900RR I noticed a puddle of fork oil sitting next to my front tire. So...... naturally I have decided to replace the seals. I am a pretty mechanical person and a tight wad to boot. I was wondering if you guys would recomend me taking it to a shop and having them replaced. Or it was possible for a "shade tree mechanic" (actually my garage) with a decent amount of mechanical knowledge to buy the right tools and do it myself? If I do decide to do it myself any pointers from you more experienced guys is always appreciated!!!

 

Tbone,
I think that you would be able to handle it, you just need a "Stem stand" for your bike. I am like you, try to do all my own work and I am also a tight-wad. I haven't changed seals on modern sport bikes (yet) but I did replace the seals on my old CB550K. It was really straight-forward and easy. Good luck and happy wrenching.

 

I believe its a relatively easy proceedure you just need to make a `tool` to help you with sliding the seals back in, I think chain has done thid on his bike he may be able to point you in the right direction.

 

Does the 900RR have cartridge forks? That makes life much easier. Either way it's doable in your own garage for megabucks saved over the dealership. I will stress, however, that neatness counts.

1> Get a shop manual for your bike
2> Read, read, read the directions til you got 'em memorized (if you f something up a spring could go shooting across the garage)
3> Get in touch with Limpy -- he'll get ya the seals and special tools you'll need.
4> Spend the $$ and get the special tools -- you'll still save money and it'll make the job so much easier.
5> Neatness counts -- prep the bike for surgery, make sure everything is clean, get in, get out, job done. The less time the tubes are exposed to dirt and contaminates the better.

 

AND...don't go to the stealer...it's like 75 bones per fork mang!