NOS Seals

[tomale]

Have any of you guys had trouble with NOS seals. Leaving out the suppliers name.[8D] I had bought some NOS seals for the forks on the 78 400 and I got all of about 2 hours on the bike before they started to leak.  What I think was wrong was that the seals were just too old. They looked fine and putting them in was not a problem but they just did not work like they should.  I did notice that there was alot of stiction and I worried about that a bit. I had thought that maybe the fork tube was bent but the slider moved up and down just fine. What was interesting was the side with the most stiction was also the side that leaked.[:I]
I went down to an industrial supplier and he ordered a set of new seals that showed up the very next day. and at a better price. A side benifit was that the stock seals were 10mm thick but the fork legs would allow for a seal that was up to 15mm thick. I was able to find 7mm thick seals and stack them one on top of the other. This should help from dirt getting into the seal and causing it to leak. Both seals were double seals so I doubled the sealing capacity and it was still less stiction than the stock ones. I wonder if installing NOS seals is not such a good Idea. I am finding that what ever seal or bearing I may need I can get locally and I do not have to worry about it drying out and getting brittle.
What do you guys think?[8D]

Thom Green,I own and ride a 76 250 MC5 MX which I bought new.

[Larry Perkins]

Thom,

NOS seals are sketchy as is all NOS rubber.  Personally I would always try for NEW seals.  Be sure when replacing fork seals, though to always make sure the wipers are good and replace them too if in doubt.  Many people put in New seals with worn wipers and the dirt is
not stopped by the old wipers getting to the seals too easily and a quick leak develops.

Larry p.

[Tennessee Vol]

Thom,
 Try seal savers //www.sealsaver.com they are the best thing since buttered bread.The phone # is 909-244-6475.They will make your seals last almost forever.They are less than $20.00 and come in rainbow of colors.

Also check out //www.sealmate.com they fix seals that are already leaking.I have not tried them but they look cool.Worth a try if yours are already leaking.
 
I have 2 years of enduros including 10 national enduros and have not had a leaking seal yet using sealsavers.And this is on a Kawasaki KX 250 they are terrible about leaking fork seals.
 
Everyone that has a bike that they ride/race they need to check them out.

Bobby Stults

[tomale]

Thanks, Larry and Bobby, Live and learn I guess. I have been thinking about using those sealsavers. I think you are right about the wipers. They look like they have never been replaced or if they have not in a long time. It is easy to over look them. With the mud season coming it would be a good idea to protect the forks. The mud at the track that I ride at alot has a reputation for getting into all sorts of places you would not think possible.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
78' 400 MC5