Fork Pipe replacement suggestions

[danieljrmurray_imp]

I need to replace my fork pipes. I was not convinced they were bent after my accident a few years back and have ridden the bike a few thousand miles. The front end definitively doesn't feel right and seems to be getting worse. The right fork seal just went and the more I look at it, the more I'm certain it's bent.

This winter the front end is coming off and I plan to replace the head bearings to roller bearings and get the forks rebuilt with new seals and new tubes, just to be sure everything is tip top.

My question is - I can get OEM replacement forks for $225 ea but that feels really steep to me. The ebay special replacement is about $161 for both. Does anyone have any experience using ebay fork pipes? I know in a lot of cases, it doesn't make sense to buy OEM due to price when quality is similar with aftermarket. [url=http://https://www.ebay.com/itm/254915646704?fits=Year%3A2013%7CModel%3ACB1100&hash=item3b5a2814f0:g:EdoAAOSwItRdb8xm&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8E8S4eugIDgPiq%2FNpKIg2ePnVPZWF4GU2WlSBhtbhFPs%2B%2BCzS​vJTGoRWAgPPHd%2Bg1TQY1mWfk3mzawBllzkwvzhMa6eCxL34EJ6TbU9bftY8fey16%2B%2BAldxEy%2​FjbfdJ%2BMHClNmRa6%2FDLpOllxTsHVx5SvQN7vZp8exFewJ7cqXhRKmhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/254915646704?fits=Year%3A2013%7CModel%3ACB1100&hash=item3b5a2814f0:g:EdoAAOSwItRdb8xm&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8E8S4eugIDgPiq%2FNpKIg2ePnVPZWF4GU2WlSBhtbhFPs%2B%2BCzS​vJTGoRWAgPPHd%2Bg1TQY1mWfk3mzawBllzkwvzhMa6eCxL34EJ6TbU9bftY8fey16%2B%2BAldxEy%2​FjbfdJ%2BMHClNmRa6%2FDLpOllxTsHVx5SvQN7vZp8exFewJ7cqXhRKmL%2BksXiSeLGVNd6D%2FcqV​H8w1trMYSixASOh3734WoLwxzXkI36Mk%2B9OYyB6NgOedbWouB6%2F%2FzcgHokJHiZxn7aHHJvrc2e​uyJCf2rivFl%2BKwj0We5bD7dxhoUVydYtpDx%2FYwNLkpSrJlCVg82k2xw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMso​LvieJi]These ones

[pekingduck]

I need to replace my fork pipes. I was not convinced they were bent after my accident a few years back and have ridden the bike a few thousand miles. The front end definitively doesn't feel right and seems to be getting worse. The right fork seal just went and the more I look at it, the more I'm certain it's bent.

This winter the front end is coming off and I plan to replace the head bearings to roller bearings and get the forks rebuilt with new seals and new tubes, just to be sure everything is tip top.

My question is - I can get OEM replacement forks for $225 ea but that feels really steep to me. The ebay special replacement is about $161 for both. Does anyone have any experience using ebay fork pipes? I know in a lot of cases, it doesn't make sense to buy OEM due to price when quality is similar with aftermarket. These ones

First thing is to actually check your fork tubes. This thread can help:
[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=17781&page=2&highlight=Fork+tubes]http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=17781&page=2&highlight=Fork+tubes

A leaking fork seal would not be related to a bent fork tube, nor can a bent fork tube bend further by itself. If you do determine one or both fork tubes have a slight bend, the triple clamp(s) may also be bent. Both the fork tube(s) and the triple clamps can be straightened by a competent shop and be perfectly safe. I would trust a properly repaired part to a low cost replacement.
Also, tapered roller steering bearings will slow down the CB1100's super light steerijg.

[dave]

Also, tapered roller steering bearings will slow down the CB1100's super light steering.
[/quote]
Why would tapered roller bearings make any difference?

[danieljrmurray_imp]

Fair enough, thank you for the replies. There's a reputable fella close by me that I was going to call. I've never rebuilt forks and though I know it's rather simple, I want to offload some of that burden onto a professional, especially when it comes to inspecting them for safety and possibly stratening them. I've done head bearings before and really like how the roller bearings felt on my old '82 Yamaha, but that thing had shot ball bearings so literally anything was better.

I'll give that guy a call and see what he thinks about taking a look at them and possibly straightening them out.

And as for the bent forks causing the seal to go, from what I've read and been told by others, depending on how badly it's bent, they can be sliding in the lowers at an angle causing premature wear. But I'm not well versed in forks enough to know all the inner workings. Most I've done is cha he oil.