Any suggestions?

ianc53 · Post by **ianc53** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 6:40 pm

In a vain attempt to relive my youth I've bought an old 2 stroke, a 1978 Suzuki GT250B. Overall it's not in too bad a condition although some of the work done on it has been hamfisted to say the least.

One job I knew needed doing was to fix a leaking fork seal so I set to and stripped out the stanchions, which didn't look too bad. On taking out the old seals the real problem became clear, the seal seats had been totally butchered, presumably when the old seals were removed.

I've managed to get hold of another set of fork lowers but they too have their problems and I'd like to get the bike together while the weather is iffy rather than down right miserable so would like to put some new seals in these forks.

Any ideas as the best thing to use to seal the seals and prevent oil coming up the outside, or am I on a hiding to nothing?

Thanks

Ian

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 7:15 pm

smooth it all down with wet and dry, then fill the gouges with liquid metal or araldite. When cured smooth down again to reshape to standard

Mike B · Post by **Mike B** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 10:00 pm

I was just about to say the same

Deffo +1

Duggers · Post by **Duggers** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 11:09 am

It probably worth giving Robinsons Suzuki a call. I used to work there when I left school, many years ago, and they have lots of old bits for GT's in stock.

A look at the website show that they have lower fork legs for the GT250B in stock.
http://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/conte ... forks1.htm

If they have had them hanging about for a while it may be worth seeing if they will take an offer

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 11:33 am

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GT250- ... 19d53d7fe6

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 1:33 pm

slparry wrote:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GT250-B-1979-FRONT-FORKS-/110951759846?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item19d53d7fe6

Thats not a bad deal

Suzuki forks like to be filled with organic two stroke oil good ones contain a seal conditioner, it realy helps with the damping as well being a SAE30

ianc53 · Post by **ianc53** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 6:35 am

Thanks Guys, all helpful.

I've started work on the lowers but also asked a question about the eBay forks, they look in better condition than many I've seen and so could be just the job.

The link to Robinson's is very useful, the idea of new lowers is tempting but maybe too expensive, I'll see. Having got the link I've already ordered new gaskets and filters for the fuel tap to sort out another of the previous owner's 'repairs'.

Thanks again

Ian

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 7:57 am

Can't see from the photo, Ian - is that the engine with the "ram-air" fins?

I always thought Suzuki played a great marketing stroke with those engines - cos it made the engine look biger than it actually was

Have fun!

Al

ianc53 · Post by **ianc53** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:01 am

Al

It's actually post Ram Air, the last couple of years they did away with it, so it probably was mostly marketing. for the B they also went to black, rather than colour coded side panels to save money as they already had the X7 (cast wheels etc) in the pipeline.
I had a Ram Air GT185 at one time, until it became a bonnet mascot for an Allegro driven by a blind, old man.

Here's a close up of the head.

Cheers

Ian