MotoUtah: Motocross and Off-Road Riding in Utah

I am in need of help of replacing the fork seals on my YZ450.
If anyone can help me and show me how to do it, I would apperciate it....

Watch this video..
I wish I had seen this before I did mine. Or search fork seal replacment on YouTube, Rocky mountain has a great video.
youtube.com/watch?v=G0dLM_IoIOQ

youtube.com/watch?v=UjtQp0Ns9Qc

Thanks for that video link. Theres a lot of things I forgot about doing the forks on my bike.

Looks like I need to buy some tools now.... but it looks like an easy job....

I did mine without using/buying the special tools, if you are interested PM me and I can tell you how to do it.

I've got the tools

Fork seal driver is the only thing that might be necessary, but I made one out of PVC pipe fittings. No leaks yet so it must've worked.

Just be careful when you put the new seals back on the tube. Tape off the threads and grease to allow the seals to slide over. Like most things mechanical, its easier the second time around....

Is there a plastic seal cleaning tool you can buy? I've heard about it, but haven't seen one yet.

Does anybody know where I could get them done at a reasonable price? I called South Valley and they quoted me just under $200.00 with the forks off the bike.

lonestar440 wrote:


Go back threw the threads, there is guy there who does them here in UT county, he may be cheaper. I've had South Valley do mine and never had a problem, but they also cut me a price break for buying bikes from them.

YZ head wrote:


I've heard of guys running a piece of film negative up there to clean out the dirt....if that's what you mean - forks still together.

Chaser wrote:


I did the same made my driver out of pvc pipe, worked great!

Chaser wrote:


I've never heard of that, but may be worth trying. I'm trying to be a little pro active in prolonging my fork seal life.

YZ head wrote:



To answer both of your questions: Yes, you can buy a "cleaning tool" made by Motion Pro for about 5 bucks. You can also use a film negative as well. I did that for years, but since the advent of the digital camera I no longer have film negs laying around. Because of this, I am now using the Motion Pro tool. Both work equally well, but the film negs are a lot more flimsy and require a more gentle touch.
I'd highly recommend Seal Savers after you do yours. I was hesitant to try them, but now don't know how I lived without them. They will greatly increase the life of your new seals.

i have a buddy who does fork seals. you provide the oil and he does them for you. he is the cheapest around. if interested PM me and ill give you his info

fmxrider wrote:


Thanks man, I think I will try the seal savers. what do they look like?

Thanks man, I think I will try the seal savers. what do they look like?[/quote]

It's just a black neoprene sleave that slips over the seal. Comes with zip tyes to hold it in place, but on my bike anyway, it's tight enough that it stays in place.
If you mountain bike at all, they're just like the Lizard skin fork seals we all run.
You do need to pull your forks to slip them on. I have heard of another brand that velcros on the back so no removal is required, but I was concerened about them coming off.

stay away from seal savers they are terrible.