Fork seals from Motorcycle superstore

Shot in the dark, I know, but I'm in the middle of replacing my fork springs, seals, dust covers, blah blah. The new fork seals from Motorcycle superstore don't fit. The SKU is 399265. Made by BikeMaster, PN: 42-9083. Anyone recently replace there fork seals that were purchased from Motorcycle superstore? If so, do you have a record of the SKU. You'd be able to find it on the confirmation email from Motorcycle Superstore. the measurements on the packaging are: 43x55,1x9,5/10,5. FYI, I've done this a few times w/o a problem. The old fork seals set easily into place.

 

I can't help you with that but if you ever think you have an issue with a seal leaking, I tried this little tool and it worked out great. http://www.sealmate.net

 

No experience with Bikemaster parts, but new fork seals usually take some mallet work to get properly seated. Make sure the fork tube top is free of any corrosion before you start, and a little rubber grease might help as well. I usually put the old seal on top of the new when driving the seal home, stops any accidental damage.

The part number you quoted certainly looks to be the correct one for your bike. Good luck.

 

Problem solved I think. Called MSS and they found 2 different fork seal sizes for my '02. They sent me a pair of seals measuring 43x55,1x9,5/10,5, but there is another one sized 43x54 which will probably work given the current one is a smidge too big. Have to wait an see.

 

Never mind. There is nothing to see. Keep moving.

 

Never tried the old seal on top of new. Will use that technique when the new one arrives. Thanks for the tip.

 

Having two different sizes in stock for the same bike lends little credence to the theory that all the bikes from a given "generation" are the same.

Anybody know where that particular theory came from?

 

Chinese manufacturing tolerances

 

Best not to cheap out using crap, and Bikemaster is a good example of that.

OEM Honda ONLY !!

 

Odd, but BM shows an OE replacement and also a High Performance version..... hhmmmmm http://online.fliphtml5.com/lxnd/tkun/#p=283

 

Looking at Partzilla shows the same genuine Honda p/no for forks seals for 2003 to 2007 (51490 MCF 000, shared with a heap of other Hondas from CBR900, 600 to SP1/2), then a different number for 2008-2009 (51490 MCW D01, specific to the VFR only). No listing for 2002.

 

OMG! we may have a case of different opinions going here. Just when everyone was of a single mind. Except SOW whose mind is blown..,

 

I also looked up the part numbers for the fork inner tube, they're the same for all 6th gen years but....the lower fork case is the same for 2003-2008, but different for 2009!

I should probably draw a Venn diagram for completeness, but if you can fit the 2003-2007 fork seal in both the 2003-2008 lower cases, and you can fit the 2008-2009 seal in the 2009 lower cases, then surely the dimensions of all seals and the space they fit into must be the same???

My guess is that they may have changed supplier for the seal between 2007 and 2008, and changedr maybe paint colour for the fork leg for 2009?

 

Anyone happen to know the specs on OEM seals? Just wondering. My smaller seals shipped today, so I'll post up when I put the front end back together with my new Sonic Springs.

 

Changed paint colour I think you will find.

 

Did they make it a bit more on the Dark Side?

 

Ended up purchasing some OEM fork seals/dust seals from a local shop. They fit perfectly. Had a few bumps in the road between the non-fitting BikeMaster fork seals, and Motorcycle Superstore trying to make things right, only to send me a second set of dust seals instead of replacement fork seals. So I'm out about $90 instead of $40, had I just purchased the OEM parts from my local shop. Now lets see if I get a refund from MSS.