Anyone done the fork seals on a 2013 C650GT?

[C650GTInTheSun]

I've done this job on other bikes, but not the C650GT. Has anyone here managed to do it? If so how gnarly was it? ? Failing that, how much did a dealer charge to do it?

 

[Bill’s Ride]

Hi,
I did the fork seals on a 2016 C650 Sport this winter. I purchased the bike used 3 years ago, the dealer saw the leak right front fork and said I would not notice this. Over time it seamed like the bike was diving down more in the front end when I hit the brakes. After replacing the seals and oil the bike no longer dives down, feels much better aka I noticed a difference. To do this job the first thing i did was buy the service manual on EBay for this bike, it comes on a flash drive and looks like a standard BMW TIS (Technical information system) manual. This manual goes over the process, I also watched some videos on how it was done. The Manual shows a BMW specialty tool for holding the bike up while the front forks are off. This tool and jack were pretty expensive when I looked into it so I make my own by borrowing my son’s motorcycle jack and making my own adapter plate, I will attach a lot of pictures of how I did that, it was my most creative moments of this project. The manual does not show how to pry the old seals out once you get to that step, what worked for me was a motorcycle tire iron, it has a soft edge and will not damage the seal housing. If anyone needs to borrow the adapter plate I would be happy to mail it to them, just mail it back when your done with your project.
Bill Martin

 

[C650GTInTheSun]

Thank you so much for these details Bill! You've given me the confidence to give it a go. Love the adapter plate you fabricated, wonderful idea! I'll put something similar together, borrowing from your invention. Thanks again for the reply, I know who to ask if I have questions along the way! ?

 

[Bill’s Ride]

No Problem, look forward to hear how your project goes. Let me know if you have any questions about the process.

 

[justscootin]

I've done this job on other bikes, but not the C650GT. Has anyone here managed to do it? If so how gnarly was it? ? Failing that, how much did a dealer charge to do it?

I had a leak in the left fork
It was quite easy. As it was just a matter of pulling it apart.
The right fork is preloaded with a second spring. My question is do you need the compression tool or can it be done without special tools

 

[Ceesie76]

I don't know but would check the service manual and see how they describe the process.

 

[Bill’s Ride]

I used a fork compression tool that I borrowed from my son. I drilled a couple of holes in the plastic sleeve to fit the mounting pins on the compression tool.

 

[Stevew]

Well I never. This very day my local main dealer is replacing the front fork seals so that my 2018 can pass its UK MOT.

 

[C650GTInTheSun]

Well over a year later I'm finally tackling this job. ?

So far I have the left fork off but found myself without the tools needed to do the job. It looks like there's a T40 at the bottom end of the shock, and I don't have one thin enough to get in that deep, so will need to source that.

Edit: looking at the manual, it doesn't actually mention loosening that T40 at the bottom...maybe I don't need to?

I also didn't have a socket big enough for the nut on the top end of the shock - anyone know what size that one is?

Once I have those I'll carry on with the job, hopefully getting the shock off the bike was the hard part. ?

I've also heard the right side is harder than the left, so I'll leave that one for last and hopefully learn my lessons on the easy one!