How To: Repair Honda Shadow Fork Seals Part 1 

Your video was very helpful. I just changed seals on my 2003 Shadow Spirit. I just bought the bike in fall 2023. Thanks

Cut a slot from the old seal, place it over then new seal, and you won't damage the new seal while tapping it in with the pvc. After it's seated the old seal comes right out since its slotted.

I successfully completed this procedure on my '06 Shadow Spirit 750DC. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. The shop where I got my fork oil also said that the forks take 483mL of oil, so I checked level both using a ruler and having had measured it out.

Nice video. I like the way you skip all the unnecessary chit chat and get it done efficiently. I'll be tackling this project on my Shadow 750 ACE this week as soon as the parts arrive. Thanks!

This is a very useful intuitive tutorial. Very much appreciated. I live in Harley town and when I called a couple motorcycle repair shops, I was told the "we don't work on one of those motorcycles". So I decided to see what youtube has because that is what I do with my old cars and lo and behold I ran into this channel. Thank you very much, no more different than my uncle showing me how its done. Very easy to follow

Man! I enjoyed your taste in music as much as your video, greetings from Egypt

For some reason I just found your channel while trying to find information about changing my fork oil. I was trying to find out how much fork oil I needed to purchase. It does not matter, I am a subscriber now. Take care, ride safe.

Sir, you make it look really easy. Great video, can't wait to do this on my own bike, just enjoying my own company and a cold beer.

Phenomenal explanation!! I like the use of the pop bottle to help slide the seals - that should eliminate any seal damage from imperfections in the top part of the fork tube on its way down. My recently purchased Shadow has aftermarket seals that leak just a tad. I’ll start now piecing together the parts to do this job over wintertime, but with Honda parts. Thanks you!

this is the second time I've watched and just now noticed that awesome BBC sitting next to you, beautiful car man...

You sir understand how to teach on how to do a job informative and straight to the point

Someone said it earlier but I have to say it too, you make this look so easy

Nice job Rocco. I've watched a few of these videos on seal replacement and yours is the best so far. I've got seal kit for both forks for my Suzuki Intruder 125cc, let's give it a go 👍

Love you Rocco your video's are the best on youtube. You really know your stuff.

This is a great guide Rocco, thank you! Did this job on my 750 and I'll be doing it on a V65 Magna for my friend (same sized fork tube).

Thank you for the great step-by-step video! I'm going to do fork seals on my 07 Shadow Spirit this coming weekend.

You just saved me and a buddy 350 bucks each! Thank you!

good vedio sir. rocco, its looks like easy way but before when i remove my shock ..its very hard for me to remove the bolt downster of shock always spin... now ther is a lick downter because i cannot tight,, well the bolt i just put epoxy and fixed.. so thats great vedio after draine the oil.. return to the handle post and use compaq... ...ill try this vedio when i get my oil seal.. thank you sir....

Bel Ray 15W, Stock is 10W, I like a little stiffer ride. Try it, Let me know how this works out. Ride Safe.

Thank you this video was super helpful, no more leaks!

You pulled the spring out with the right side down then put it in with the tight side up?

Thank you for sharing the knowledge! I will be using what I have just learned here very soon.

Why did you put the spring in upside down to the way you removed it? The tight area was at the bottom when removed.

why did he put this Spring in the opposite from when he took it out. Does it matter asking for a friend. Great video very helpful

Sorry, one more important question: I lifted the bike by the frame to check something (front, it didnt tip over cause it was a stable setup) and as the front wheel lost contact with the ground, by gravity, the handlebars swung to the right and hit the steering stop. I couldn't catch it. Should i be worried or these things are tough enough to take that (bolts on triple tree too)? I checked for anything bent, loose or cracked and rode it, but didn't find anything. (No excess vibration or pulling.) ? thx,

Great video, I have aftermarket seals, do a face them with writing and numbers up. Cuped side facing down.? Thanks Roco

I got a shadow Sabre and my seal slid on smooth and easy without any kind of plastic bottle. And I clean my fork tube with contact cleaner for hand. I hope the shop sold me the right seals I haven't got the bike and put it back together yet so I don't know if they're going to leak nor have I put any fork oil in a me yet

why did you reverse the way the spring was, it came out tight at bottom didn't it?

The spring came out differently than you re installed it. I always crack loose (not remove) the bottom bolt when the fork is still mounted.

I just got a bike and both seals are leaking so I'm going to be doing this and I've watched a lot of guys on RU-vid and your video is great. The camera is stable and you show eve thing that needs to be done from beginning to end and I love that you do one fork at a time so everything goes back where it needs to be. I would think the forks are about the same as my bike 99 shadow VLX 600) and do you think I should check and change the break pads at the same time or is that easy to do with the wheel on? I'm new to bikes so if that's a dumb question just say so. Any other tips?

Do you happen to live near Shalimar? I heard “Niceville” on the radio. I feel like I may have met you. I’m doing my 96 Honda Shadow VT1100C2 (ACE). I just bought it not running (needed a carb clean and other refurbishment). Anyway, the forks haven’t seen fresh oil since 1996. It’s 2020. One fork tube came out without the bushing. That stayed in place. The second fork tube never came out after a hundred or more attempts. I had to dig out the seal as it was rusted to the washer and bushing!! I marred the slider up a little, but there was no option. It took two days and some pain killers. Tried heat, tried PB blaster, tried dynamite... ultimately used a screw and drill to tear it up and a flat head screwdriver and pick to get it out. So, I got the old seal and washer out, but still couldn’t get the fork tube and bushing out. Fork still slides fine, bushing won’t budge. I cleaned it up and plan to roll with it. With the fork tube that came out, bushing still seated, can I just tap the fork tube back in? Ever seen this? Thoughts? I think I’m the only one in the world this unlucky. I haven’t attempted to tap the tube back into the slider with bushing still snugly in place, but that’s my next resort unless I’m going to face damaging it. Thoughts? Thanks for the video. I have been using the manual in addition to your wisdom.

And thank you for your video. I've watched it couple of times before doing my own forks. It's good.

thank you for making this video i just got my first bike and have no idea what im doing

Hello, A a big fan of fixing one problem at a time. But yes finish fork seals then replace front pads...The fork seals are pretty much the same procedure. Take your time. Let me know how this works out...

At least there's good music on the radio ha

Great video. I have a shadow sabre, similar but I cant put the nut back on the shock spacer the way you did. Would I be able to compress the shock with the wheel taken out so I could push it up and bring the spacer down a little? Thanks for any advice you could provide. Kurt

Nice Vid, but you made a mistake. The spring is upside down now. The tight end should be at the bottom, as it usually was. The compression should get harder the more you squeeze the fork 💪

Getting ready to replace the seals on my 1983 650 night hawk

Looks like a good video. Check manual for your particular fluid level, service manual I have states 4.9"/124mm. Also, note that the right fork spring was installed upside down. I know it has been mentioned earlier in comments, just stating for new viewers. Manual I have also states to replace bushings if they come off.

The spring came out with the tight winding on the bottom ( 3:00) but you reinstalled them with the tight windings on the top (13:20). Does this make a difference?

Great video. Awesome to hear the gator in the background lol.

Hey rocco my top fork screw is leaking can i just unscrew and put new o ring or do I have to take everything apart like this video? Also can I leave the tire on just to take out the top screw

Master technician in his element.

I removed everything and my forks are stuck. I got one side down about five inches from hammering it down. Figured out I need to remove a screw under the fork and then it slid off. I tried to remove the screw on the other fork but it just keeps spinning. I waa able to pull it down about and inch...any ideas??? Replacing these forks btw

heyy buddy... you could be a movie director ! i love the picture and the sound...off camera !

Any recommendations on how to remove the drain bolt if it just spins on the inside?

I have a 2008 Shadow spirit. I tried using the PVC pipe, but it won't fit around the tube. I had to order a fork seal driver to finish the job.

Love this guy’s videos!!

I know this was 7 years ago...but when you pulled that spring out tight side was down but you installed it tight side at the top...which was does it go

My shadow has 41 mm shocks, 11/2'" pipe is too small. What do your shocks measure?

Invaluable, thank you for making this video.

Hey TWR... I loosened my triple tree bolts without a jack in place and the frame came sliding down the tubes. Afyet raising it with the stand and tighting up the bolts, Now my front end feels lowered. Do u think i busted something, didn't see any fluid leaking, can i set the forks higher or back to normal. 06 sportster.

Will that size PVC pipe work for doing vtx1300?

Hi. How often would you do this as maintenance (also changing fluid)? i commute in cali (not much rain, but bike is coverred and gently hand washed.)

Forks are done, wasn’t to bad. Thanks

Hi I have a 2002 vt1100c2 sabre and I have a manual that is telling 173mm for oil level could I have the wrong manual, it goes from 1997-2003 models

For 2006 honda shadow spirit vt750DCB The best fork oil is 10W or 15W if i want to use ATF Oil? The quantity of the oil is 473ML or 12cm from the oil to the top of thefork? is correct this number for the seal 41 54 11?

He put the spring in backwards. Does that matter?

Hi Rocco I have a 2008 Honda Shadow Vt750 how much oil should I put in 1 fork thanks

Esa suspencion es la misma de honda sabre? Si es así cuánto aceite lleva?

Having a hard time with the left fork, may have to use some heat to get it out?? It has the trac system, if that makes a difference. I’m restoring a 1983 650 nighthawk. Any suggestions, other than putting some heat to the fork. Even the manual say it maybe a possibility bc the seal is so tight?🤨

Good afternoon, how much oil is on the fork of rhe shadow 1100cc?

I noticed that when you first took out the spring the tight coils were at the bottom and when you put it back in you put the tight coils at the top. Did you notice any change while riding?

What is the name of the tool you use to measure the hydraulic fluid in the container?

That's a badass c2 in the back. What year is it specifically

Any Tips on getting a stuck seal out of the fork. Pretty sure my bushings are shot and thats part of the problem but that sucker is stuck in there bigtime.

Is removing that drain bolt on the bottom of the forks completely necessary to complete the job? I just seen that my drain bolts are stripped.

I followed all your steps but my forks seem to be stuck any idea on why or how to fix it

Having a real hard time getting the axle out of the rear drive. It won’t budge, any ideas?

I resealed my forks ! THANK YOU.

Hey Rocko how about some videos how to jack up a motorcycle honda Shadows the engine is lower than the frame

Will the 2001 VT600 forks fit on a 2005 VT750?

The washer with the oil seals Has a top and bottom no one side of its tapered does that go up or down

Can you list the parts that you replaced? I really need to do mine. When I put on the brakes the front shocks almost bottom out.

But how did you remove that 24mm hex bolt in the fork tube

Great vid. I've been told to break loose the bolt at the bottom while the fork is still under compression, as it will stop the assembly from spinning. Thanks for the other tips!

The pcv pipe from home depot 1 1/2 inch ,how long should that be,?

Thanks for the vid Rocco.How many ounces of fork oil did You use in each fork?

Great video, but you did put the spring in upside down and possibly the seal. Depending on the brand seal the letters go down

How diameter of front shock absobber shadow slasher or phantom 39or41mm.?

Two Wheel Rocco hey where a good place to buy the seals? Or a good online source?

How much should a mechanic charge for this kind of job Fork seals?

Nice, Nice, ...Another great video! Thanks!!!

Great video, but I believe you put the spring back in upside down.

You know that seal will come out with dismantling the fork right? You can poke a hole in the seal an pop it out then slide the new one right down the fork an use the old one with some pvc to install it. Seems like a whole lot of overkill unless you want to replace an clean every part in the forks

You know the size of the center nut the one in the middle of the forks?

Does anybody have a guess about how long seals should typically last? I just bought a 2004 VT750C Aero and I don't see any oil leaking, but I think it all disappeared a long time back.

Anyone have any tips for getting that bottom bolt??? Ive sprayed it with pb blaster and hit it with an impact gun for a solid 2 minutes and its not budging

Reckon this would work on my 1988 vlx600 shadow?

Do you have a tool list?

Wish we could have seen the work you did. Can you do another with better video work? I enjoy your work ethic.

Okay, I’ll give it a try... thanks.

what type of oil did you use?

Maybe I missed something but the way you pool the spring out it didn’t go the same way , so now I’m Confused

What size PVC was that

Have any idea how long the original seals last?

During my procedure when pumping the fork oil before putting in the spring the fork tube kind of got stuck when compressed in the bottom and doing a smacking sound when pulling it up again. Why's that? Anyone know?

Thank you sir for the help!!

Anyone else not able to fit pvc? If so what did you use?

Great job! Tank you!