Dealer rebuilding 2006 SWing forks says the fork pipes are “scored”?

Hi folks,
I took my 2006 SWing with 7,000 miles to my local Honda shop to get new tires mounted, rebuild the front folks because the right one was leaking, and do a state inspection.

The shop just called and said they tore down the front forks, and the fork pipes in the forks were “scored” and should probably be replaced before completing the fork rebuild.

He said they could just put it all back together and delay rebuilding the forks until they had the new fork pipes in. Or they could complete the rebuild but the scored fork pipes might cause the forks to fail again - in a year, or even tomorrow.

Is this a common problem on SWings of this age and mileage, or are they just trying to upsell me on more work and parts/ service costs? (This is the first time I’ve dealt with this particular Honda shop so I don’t know what to expect.)

For now I simply told them to complete the current fork rebuild without replacing the “scored” parts. (I’m on a very limited income and can’t afford more repair costs this month.)

Do I need to worry about this going forward?

I had the one fork seal leaking on my Swing when I purchased it and decided to rebuild both fork legs. I had no damage on the fork pipes (#5 in the exploded view) and at $170ish dollars each I can see why you don't want to replace them if not needed. Are they pitted? Any chips in the chrome? Were the fork seals leaking in the first place?

If the seal weren't leaking, why tear the forks all the way down? Just change the fluid. Go and look and post pictures of the fork pipes if possible.

sc00ter wrote:

Were the fork seals leaking in the first place?

If the seal weren't leaking, why tear the forks all the way down? Just change the fluid. Go and look and post pictures of the fork pipes if possible.

Yes, the right fork was leaking badly and the dust seal was obviously torn. The bike sat for five years. Prior owner claims the forks never leaked before, but his son and daughter-in-law took it for a spirited ride around the neighborhood and it was leaking when they returned.

I watched numerous videos of fork rebuilds and decided I didn’t want to try to tackle it myself so I had them do total rebuilds while they had the front wheel off to mount the new tires.

Unfortunately my “local” shop is twenty miles away so I didn’t make the trip to take photos.

As I said, I’m having them finish the rebuilds with my original fork pipes. I suspect they’ll function fine without replacing the fork pipes.

Since you've made your call, not much to say.  

IIWM, I would have preferred to see the fork scoring or at least a picture before making the call.

However, I probably would have told them to proceed with the fluid & seal exchange using the old forks too.

If you need fork tubes i have a pair of new ones genuine honda parts will take £150 for the pair plus shipping

Finally got it back from Honda today, brought it home, and went for my first extended ride on it, an eighty mile ride on country and mountain roads with a friend who was on his Kawasaki Vulcan 650 sport cruiser. It had no trouble keeping up and performed flawlessly. The front forks were great, no weeping or leaking after the ride.

I went with 15w fork oil instead of 10w. I’m glad I did. I’m a big guy, 6’2” and 290, and between new tires and the rebuilt forks it felt much better.

Glad to hear your friend on his Vulcan was able to keep up to you. 

Also glad to hear your issues appear to be resolved to your satisfaction.  Happy trails.

sonuvabug wrote:

Glad to hear your friend on his Vulcan was able to keep up to you. 

Also glad to hear your issues appear to be resolved to your satisfaction.  Happy trails.

LOL! Just to clarify, he was on a 2018 Vulcan 650 s, which has the Ninja 650 motor and runs remarkably well. He’s a new rider so I let him lead. My SWing had no trouble keeping up with his 650. I hit 80mph a couple times and it felt rock solid.

I had no problems with my 02 45K swing, the fork stanchions are clean as a whistle but could do with some protector bellows on them imo.

The fork springs are way too soft , I serviced my forks 3 years a go but might do it again and use more spacers and heavier fork oil. A better front end would increase the fun factor for me as currently I have to avoid manhole covers and small pot holes as the forks bottom out otherwise ......horrible sound when it does, I weigh 85KG by the way .......

cello33 wrote:

I had no problems with my 02 45K swing, the fork stanchions are clean as a whistle but could do with some protector bellows on them imo.

The fork springs are way too soft , I serviced my forks 3 years a go but might do it again and use more spacers and heavier fork oil. A better front end would increase the fun factor for me as currently I have to avoid manhole covers and small pot holes as the forks bottom out otherwise ......horrible sound when it does, I weigh 85KG by the way .......

See this “Poor Man’s HyperPro’s” link for a great inexpensive front suspension mod. Be sure to read the entire topic for a clearer understanding.
https://www.silverwing600.com/t12580-front-springs-mod-poor-mans-hyperpros?highlight=Poor+man’s