Front Fork Parts

[BPT]

As I'd mentioned in the Fork Gaiters thread, I'd been waiting to accumulate a list of small things to put together for a Motobins order. In looking through the other threads here, I've found a couple of things that are listed for other models but work (or are better) for our R65's.  The two common things I see are:

Piston Rings - Motobins #29000, 2 sets needed
Bumper - 29020, 2 needed

Are there any other parts good to have on hand for the forks, particularly any that would be best to get from Motobins? I saw a thread where Barry was talking about some shims but I wasn't sure if that was a common thing needed or only for a particular problem (and with the variety of shim sizes, maybe impossible to know what you'd need if you didn't have everything apart already).

          Thanks - BPT

[Barry]

The shims are only needed on the very early model R65 forks. By 83 I think they should have already upgraded the valve body or at least the way it is retained in the stanchion. Only way to know for sure is take a look see. If there is any up and down movement in the valve body before removing the circlip then it needs shimming.

There are no other parts likely to need replacement other than fork seals and personally I would not necessarily replace the piston rings unless they are broken or have a huge mileage on them.  Mine seemed to take 30,000 miles to bed in.

[Tony Smith]

I would not necessarily replace the piston rings unless they are broken or have a huge mileage on them.  Mine seemed to take 30,000 miles to bed in.

Absolutely agree, firstly there is some anecdotal evidence that the "new' piston rings are not as resilient as the originals. i also agree that undamaged they will probably last the life of the bike.

But every set of R65 forks I've ever opened for the first time seems to have rings missing - a byproduct I suspect of people trying to refit the damper rod from the top of the fork rather than from the bottom.

[BPT]

Thank you gentlemen.  Don't worry, I won't be looking to do anything unnecessary.  For the piston rings, since they're only a few dollars, I figured that it would be good to have on hand just in case.  I'm really hoping I don't have to do anything but change the fluid.  I don't know what's inside of these so I wanted to be prepared if I see the bumpers drip out in a pile of goo and I end up having to get more in depth.

               Thanks again.