550 Seca Fork HELP

I'm trying to replace the seals on my fork and I can't get the upper tubes out of the fork(sliders.) I loosened up the 8mm bolt on the bottom, however I could never get them removed. the upper tubes won't come out.

What am I missing? HELP

 

If they are like the ones on my XJ700 you have to remove the bolt at the bottom as well as the retaining spring under the dust cover. You can see what I mean at this site:
http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/fork-seals-85-xj700n-picture-heavy.78389/#post-491976

 

Circlip up top under the dust covers. Remove it. The dust covers pop off with a screwdriver (there is a slot in the fork for that).

 

Ok so I did this however they are still not coming out. I shined a light down the tube and spun the lower bolt. The damper rod just spins as I turn the bolt. My guess is that this isn't supposed to happen.

 

Not done this (yet) but I have read that a broom handle stuffed hard down th tube might prevent spinning rod or refit the spring an cap and undo bolt first..

 

What bike? My 650 I had to use an inverted spark plug socket and a long extension to hold the damper while I took the bolt out.

 

Just saw that your subject included the bike.....it's early

 

I also used a broom handle. worked like a charm.

 

If the broom stick doesn't work for you, refer back to http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/fork-seals-85-xj700n-picture-heavy.78389/#post-491976 and use a 22mm hex to hold it.

 

Ok... so I go the fork apart and back together. I put 230cc in each leg of 10wt oil. Installed the fork back on the bike and have been working on rewiring it.

I was moving it bike and noticed the fork felt really soft. Just moving the bike the fork compressed 1/2" to 1". I can compress the fork quite easily. I pretty positive this shouldn't happen. Did I miss something? Wrong amount of oil?

Please help.

 

oil is correct when you sit on the bike you are going to compress25%. movement is expected when moving bike.
pump them up and down ,any oil coming out?
did you get seals for seca? maxim seals are different size
did you replace the o rings at the plugs?

 

There isn't any oil coming out. I did get Seca seals, the 1st ones I purchased were the wrong size.

I didn't replace the plug o-rings, would this make a difference?

 

when you push down and hold forks do you hear air leaking out?
it is just a good pratice to replace o rings

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HCP20699 Aftermarket inner fork tube CAP BOLT O-RING, fits either side. Used on all XJ550 models, all XJ650 Euro models, XJ650 Maxim and Midnight Maxim, and 1982 XJ650RJ Seca models. Each:
$ 3.95
qty needed 2

 

the oil helps dampen the rebound did you notice the holes in the spindel? a few tiny ones and some larger ones.
upper fork tube goes down and compresses oil, forces oil up then sucks back down as it returns to position.
thickness of oil is what slows down the bounce.
the spring is the main part of the system
I do not think you have a problem unless oil starts leaking out the top of the tube under the cap or at the seals

 

@XJ550H.. thank you for the help.