BarryG Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Had the fork seals replaced in this past May by speed shop after noticed left seal leaking oil. The other day the same seal I noticed was leaking again (around 6K more miles now on the bike). Same shop now has it. They originally put the Ohlins springs in the forks last September. I'm guessing that maybe this had something to do with it. Of course they'll never admit to anything. Anyone know what could be causing the left fork seal to leak? I don't wheelie the bike at at all or anything stupid. Bike won't be looked at until Mon. thx, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbird Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Did they use OEM fork seals? I had more than 40k on the seals on mine when I pitched it, no issues. Anyway, a small burr, chip or flaw on the fork tube itself will cause that. Replace the seal, and the new one is damaged by the flaw on the fork tube. A close examination of the fork tube in question is in order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dion Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Anyway, a small burr, chip or flaw on the fork tube itself will cause that. Replace the seal, and the new one is damaged by the flaw on the fork tube. A close examination of the fork tube in question is in order. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartonmd Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Anyway, a small burr, chip or flaw on the fork tube itself will cause that. Replace the seal, and the new one is damaged by the flaw on the fork tube. A close examination of the fork tube in question is in order. +1 Yep... Use some fine steel wool on the tubes (by hand, going up and down the tube), and it'll take that burr down... Or you can just put a bullet in it! (honestly, how long did you think it was going to be before somebody said that? ) Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryG Posted October 29, 2006 Author Share Posted October 29, 2006 Well somthing obviously isn't right since the left seal started leaking with only 12K mi on the bike. And now that both are replaced (seals), doing it again at 18K mi. I have zero experience with forks, seals...etc. The speed shop that has it is supposedly the best in the area and been around for 20yrs and only work on sportbikes and the owner is a racer......so I'd think they could get to the bottom of the problem........have to wait and here what they say Mon or Tues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porterb123 Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Well somthing obviously isn't right since the left seal started leaking with only 12K mi on the bike. And now that both are replaced (seals), doing it again at 18K mi. I have zero experience with forks, seals...etc. The speed shop that has it is supposedly the best in the area and been around for 20yrs and only work on sportbikes and the owner is a racer......so I'd think they could get to the bottom of the problem........have to wait and here what they say Mon or Tues. Have them check the bushings as well. If the bushings are worn, it will allow extra movement in the forks that can wear out the seals earlier and allow fluid past the seals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottw Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Also make sure the pocket that the seal is pressed into is clean and has no corrosion. Just to make sure, give the outside of the seal a thin coat of permatex #2 (non-hardening). I've had oil leaak in this area if it's not right. Looks just like it leaks from between the seal and fork tube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryG Posted October 30, 2006 Author Share Posted October 30, 2006 Also make sure the pocket that the seal is pressed into is clean and has no corrosion. Just to make sure, give the outside of the seal a thin coat of permatex #2 (non-hardening). I've had oil leaak in this area if it's not right. Looks just like it leaks from between the seal and fork tube. Shop called me and said the left fork tube is pitted and is working the left seal. Said OEM left fork tube and seal need to go on. Nice expense....as long as I don't see anymore leaking on that left side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkbrdrydr Posted October 31, 2006 Share Posted October 31, 2006 The only warranty work ever done on my bike was to replace fork seals. No matter how often they were replaced, they kept on leaking until I replaced the pipes with new ones that didn't have damage from stone hits. Some of that damage was so slight that I wasn't originally willing to believe that it was causing the leaking seals. Finally, I installed new fork pipes, fork seals and.... Fork Gaiters There are no longer any problems with leaking fork seals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryG Posted November 1, 2006 Author Share Posted November 1, 2006 The only warranty work ever done on my bike was to replace fork seals. No matter how often they were replaced, they kept on leaking until I replaced the pipes with new ones that didn't have damage from stone hits. Some of that damage was so slight that I wasn't originally willing to believe that it was causing the leaking seals. Finally, I installed new fork pipes, fork seals and.... Fork Gaiters There are no longer any problems with leaking fork seals. thanks for the info....ok, dumb question of the day. Do those fork gaiters require much to install or do you basically just wrap them around the forks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceman_40 Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Looks like they wrap around and velcro.... May need to get a set of those myself... I'm also considering those hippo hands... anyone using them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkbrdrydr Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Yep... they wrap around the fork tubes and attach with velcro. Don't even notice them on the bike so they don't take anything away from the looks of the bike. I also have the Hippo Hands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDAZ XX Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Dont feel bad Barry. I had my fork seals replaced and within 4 days or 250 miles, at the track its leaking again. No wheelies just hard riding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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