How can I remove a stuck circlip from the forks of an 86' VF500F

Hey, I'm a new poster. Well, I decided to service my forks and I have everything disassembled until I got to where the circlip covers the oil seal. They circlip is heavily corroded and the eyelets broke off. I tried using penetrating oil (Liquid Wrench) and i'm still out of luck. The circlips don't budge at all. I guess my last resort is rapidly heating and cooling the circlip. Would that be detrimental in any way?

Thanks in advance, and I apologize if I posted this in the wrong section.

 

That much heat might cause more damage than good. Try modifying a cheap pair of circlip pliers to maybe pop that puppy out of the channel.. Some of that corrosion is (guessing) Iron oxide. Try a couple of applications of Naval Jelly. Straight hypochlorite bleach will cause steel to oxidize. Standard laundry bleach is in the 5-7% range or if available from some well to do It dude there in San Jose some pool bleach.

Be careful with both. Nasty stuff..

 

Yes, that is somewhat common with the first gen VF forks. I have a trick where I can get them out before the ears break off. Since you are beyond that point I would your best (and maybe only) option would be to drill a Ø3mm hole from the outside straight into the clip. Stop once you get to the steel of the clip itself. I would position it about 10-15mm from one of the broken ends, preferably in a place that won't be seen once the forks are back on the bike. Then you will be able to drive a pick in there and break the clip free. Using a small flathead screwdriver you can then pry it out. It's not easy, but take your time and I can be done.

Good luck!

 

I ordered a new set of (well-sealed) forks from a guy on Ebay since it turns out they cost just about as much as new oil/dust seals but I'll still be taking your approach because I could always resell my forks or have them as a back up.