Anyone use SealMate to clean fork seals?

I bought a sealmate to see if I can clean the fork seals before deciding to repacing them. I lifted up the dust boots and tried to slide the sealmate down into the fork but something was blocking it. Any ideas?

The search function shows that several people have used it but I do not see anyone who said anything about not being able to get the tool down into the fork. Still looking for ideas.

I've used the technique on Inverted dirt bike forks. I use a google tear off or any thin plastic sheet cut into a strip with a slight hook on the end. Wrap it around the fork tube and work it under the seal as far as possible, Then compress the fork slightly. Run it around the diameter of the fork tube and pull it out using the hook part to extract any trapped dirt. It works if the leak is caused by a grain of sand or dirt stuck in the seal. This is a common on dirt bikes. I've never seen it used for conventional street bike forks.

Thanks MDZ.
Hoping someone can share some more experience. Again, I lifted the dust cover and tried to insert the sealmate but it was not going in. I am thinking theres another collar there but not sure I want to start prying on things I don't fully understand.

Conspiracy wrote: Thanks MDZ.
Hoping someone can share some more experience. Again, I lifted the dust cover and tried to insert the sealmate but it was not going in. I am thinking theres another collar there but not sure I want to start prying on things I don't fully understand.

It isn't the easiest thing to slip in behind the seal, but really works great to clear away particles that are holding the seal away from the fork, which lets fork oil get past. Once the dirt is cleaned out of there, it should seal again, provided the seal rubber isn't defective or damaged.
It takes some finesse to get past the initial fork-seal flap. Don't use anything but the Seal-Mate to pry the seal enough to get past, even if it crumples the tip. Once in position, you have to keep it inserted about a half-inch or so behind the seal lip while working it around the fork a couple times. I squeeze it tight against the fork with my hand wrapped around it kinda like holding a shovel handle. It may be a struggle to keep it aligned with the fork, but it gets easier as you go around a couple times.

I've been able to avoid three fork seal changes so far, thanks to that silly little thing.

I think those SealMates are the greatest. I've never actually seen it bring any dirt out of the seal. I maintain a small fleet of training bikes (20) and running that Seal Mate around the fork has saved a lot of dollars on seal replacement.
Bill

Some forks, like the 550, has a separate bushing under the seal. Maybe you are hitting up against that? You should be able to get at least 1/4" to 3/8" in before hitting the bushing.

Many KZ's don't have the bushing under the seal, but there may still be a washer under the seal.