Front end renovation

[Multiman]

How do you remove the fork slider oil seal?
I don't have part 51412-369-000 "Front shock absorber rebound spring" in my forks.
How bad is this?

Many thanks
Tim

[Trigger]

If they are CB550 F1 forks, they don't have a rebound small spring at the bottom 

[Multiman]

Apart from the spring not being there how else could I tell?
The main spring is linear and not progressive 474mm long.
Any hints for getting the oil seals out?
Many thanks

[Trigger]

Explained here to remove seals >> http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,20419.30.html

[Trigger]

There is a member 3SC who has some pictures and measurements of 550 F1, F2 differences 

[Multiman]

Thanks Trigger I'll look at that link.
This is on my 400/4 so thats why I'm confused if its got a different bikes forks on and if that is a concern.

[Trigger]

400 forks should be all the same from standard .

[3scs]

These pics

[Trigger]

These pics

Don't worry mate. He has a lower spring missing but, he thinks they may or may not be 400 forks and yours are the 550 differences 

[Nurse Julie]

Here's the link to my 400 fork refurb

http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14717.0.html

[Multiman]

Thanks Julie, I ended up using heat to get the seals out. They were very very tight so could be the originals.

I'll get some of the springs and see if they make any difference to the suspension.

Thanks all for your input.

[Multiman]

These pics

Thanks, Trigger suggested that as my forks had no rebound springs they may be 550 forks.
My for are 555mm in length so defo not 550 forks going by your pics.
Thank you
Tim

[Oddjob]

Confused here, it’s posted in the 350/400 section and there are references to both 400 and 550 forks, yet the 400 forks have thinner stanchions than the 500/550 forks so what exactly are we discussing here?

[Trigger]

Confused here, it’s posted in the 350/400 section and there are references to both 400 and 550 forks, yet the 400 forks have thinner stanchions than the 500/550 forks so what exactly are we discussing here?

You never assume that because a question is in the 400 section that the bike is totally factory standard, as many are not . It may of had the top and bottom yokes changed to 550 and had 550 forks fitted. The bell started ringing when was mentioned that it did not have a rebound spring and the CB550F1 never came with a rebound spring 

[Oddjob]

True but most 400 fork conversions were to something like the 250N which wouldn’t involve swapping the yokes, maybe he can measure the width of the stanchions and that would provide a better idea of what’s been done in the past.

A swapping to 500/550 forks would have also most likely involved changing the front wheel to a 19” one or the discs, mudguard etc would have proved a problem. Not seen a 400 with a 500/550 forks on for that reason.