Forks binding or stiction

[FJRKLR]

I have a pair of forks from an 04 KX250F that appear to be binding or sticking. If I come to a gentle stop using some front brake the forks do not rebound fully, but as soon as I start to accelerate again the forks pop back up to their fully rebound position.

I replaced all the seals and bushings and thought that that it may have been some stiction from the new seals and bushings, but that was about a 1000 miles ago and it hasn't improved.

With the forks off the bike they compress and rebound fine. I have also tried several methods of installing the front wheel and axle but none of them have made any improvement.

[mog]

what seals did you use ? the triple lip seals have lots of stiction , forks do have free sag so don't expect them to top out

[FJRKLR]

The seals were All Balls and I am aware that they have a fair amount of stiction (is that a word?) but I thought they would have loosened up a little with use.

[Adammoto]

stiction is most likely. You are not likely to feel the fork bind at the top of the stroke. Next time you service the fork, insert the inner tube inside the outer with a little oil on the seal but no internals. So the tubes can slide unobstructed. If you lift the outer tube, the inner should remain planted on the workbench. If it sticks inside Without moving friction is excessive.

You can also measure stiction zone with the fork on the bike by measuring free sag from compressed position and free sag settled from unweIghted position. However this method will not isolate seal stiction as the cause.

If you buy seals, try SKF next time.

[thestuz]

is there a site to buy skf seals for motorbikes specifically?

ive heard they are three times the price.

are the allballs/pivotworks kits that bad?

[SuzukiRider97]

I got the Same problem .. I am gonna take mine into Suzuki and get them to replace the seals and oil...

[thestuz]

I got the Same problem .. I am gonna take mine into Suzuki and get them to replace the seals and oil...

what seals and bushings did you use?

[mog]

they are the worst seeks for stiction , but as I said no bike will go to a topped out position , it's not designed to , the rear doesn't either you notice ?

[thestuz]

they are the worst seeks for stiction , but as I said no bike will go to a topped out position , it's not designed to , the rear doesn't either you notice ?

there advertising says they have 50% less stiction than oem.

[FJRKLR]

stiction is most likely. You are not likely to feel the fork bind at the top of the stroke.

If my problem is in fact stiction then it is quite severe as I feel like I am on a Teeter Totter when I am riding the bike.

[mog]

would you trust a advertising man ?

[FJRKLR]

would you trust a advertising man ?

LOL... about as mush as I would trust a used car salesman.

[thestuz]

If my problem is in fact stiction then it is quite severe as I feel like I am on a Teeter Totter when I am riding the bike.

you might have binding then. did the forks slide freely when they were assembled without the springs?

you might also have done up the tripple clampl too hard.

then again, the allballs kit might be too tight a fit. ive heard they take some breaking in.

[FJRKLR]

The forks were very smooth and stroked fine while thet were off the bike.