851 Front Fork replacements

cmd

Been told at the MOT that my fork seals are weeping - not too serious but I want to get them sorted over winter. I did think about just getting a spare set and getting them uprated / rebuilt and then just swapping them over. Anyone know whether forks from other models in the range would fit as they all seem to be very similar - there's even someone selling brand new forks for the 600/750/900 ss range for £250 but not sure if these would be the same.

Mr.R

So what year is your 851/888 and does it have upsidedown forks as standard?

Steve R

cmd

Mr.R wroteSo what year is your 851/888 and does it have upsidedown forks as standard? Steve R

It's a 92 with usd forks yes

wgsvintage

Buying a second set doesn't compute for me. Why not put that money into your original forks by rebuilding and properly setting them up at someplace like Maxton Suspension?
Bill

cmd

OK - decided just to rebuild my existing forks - is there a technical manual anywhere that will give me oil capacities/levels/specification and advice on rebuilding the USD forks on the 851?

duck2

900ss Haynes manual has all the info,or your owners manual!

cmd

duck2 wrote900ss Haynes manual has all the info,or your owners manual!

Thanks - unfortunately don't have an owners manual - looking out for one. So the 900SS has the same forks then I assume? I don't want to get the levels wrong as I bet it won't handle well then!

brad black

the 851/888 has a much lower oil level - 162mm - and a heavier linear spring - around 1.0 from memory.

the 900ss oil level is 80mm, and they have a dual rate spring that starts out a lot softer, and ends a little softer. 0.6 to 0.9 or so.

apart from that they're the same design internally, not sure about specific shim stacks.