Sportster Fork Seals

I just noticed today that I have a leaking fork seal and will probably replace it as soon as the new ones arrive.

Have looked through the manual, but have a question.

Do you reckon that the seal can be replaced without stripping the complete fork? I mean can I take the cover and dust seal out and then just hook the seal out and slip the new one in, or do I have to do the full strip down as shown in the manual?

Not quite sure what you mean there.

I was hoping to drop the complete fork unit out of the steering brackets/headstock unit, and leave the fork complete...IE do not undo the allen key right at the very bottom of the fork..so keep the two parts together

Then pick/hook the old seal out then slide it all the way up off the top section silver tube without having to take the top off the lower unit.

is that possible?

DUDE you have confused the crap out of me. Doing it the way the book says really isn't that big of a deal. I replaced both of my seals after my altercation with the Honda VAN LOL. Of course I had to replace the downtubes as they weren't exactly straight no more. I worked alone and had front stripped, tubes back in and seals installed and back on the bike in under 2 hours. Crack the crown nuts loose while it is still hooked in the trees DO NOT remove them at that point. Strip the wheel, brake and fender off the sliders. Pop the trees loose and slide the tubes out of the tree. After that it isn't hard at all. I switched to the Screamin Eagle fork oil (performance blah blah) I can't tell a bit of difference in the feel of my front suspension at all. Otherwise follow the destructions in the manual and it is a piece of cake. Also I slow tapped my seals back in with a small wooden dial rod or it would have gone faster than it did. The PVC idea is GREAT will have to remember that if there is a next time.

I agree. it is not that big a deal...but if you can get away with just dropping the whole fork, popping off the dust cover, clip etc and sliding the new one back down then it would be a 15 minute job

just wanted to know if that was possible

That was what I was thinking, There is a clip, but that has to be removed to get the top section out anyway

Well the Clymer manual arrived last week, and the seals yesterday.
The Clymer manual shows the seal being fitted in the exact way I was imagining, just slide it down the top half of the tube.

The manual shows a complete strip down...because that it was the manual is for...showing a complete strip down of each part.
As long as the old seal can be picked/hooked out, there is no reason to strip it down. just screw a couple of self tappers into the top of the old seal and pull it out. maybe sleeve the slider first with a bit of tubing or thick tape to prevent scratches, but otherwise a quick job.
Now just need to make /buy a stand to support the thing while dong the job.

You know if you build a stand you have to post pics here for the rest of us right? Bike Talk RULES Man. LOL

If I do then I will...even if it is a temp one....even a frame welded to the trolley jack with drop down legs...was the original thought

Did the job no problem without stripping the forks down, the old seal hooks out no problem.