Fork seal trouble

[bodhizafa]

I'm heading off on a ride tomorrow, and my right front seal is leaking a bit. I tried the "plastic card clean the gunk thing" and it seemed to work, hard to tell. Its not running down the fork leg but I haven't been able to test it on a ride yet. I put some grease I had from my hyperpro install on the seals, hoping it might do something too.

If they are gone what's going to happen if I ride for the next 3 days before fixing them? I was thinking of bring a tiny bit of oil to replace what leaks if needed. And using a rag near the caliper to keep it dry.

[rtadlock]

I heard that the forks can burst into flames er something. I wouldn't take any chances. Best to stay home and watch Oprah re-runs.

[ColoSean]

I think fork seals only go bad if you ride it like a little girl? You may want to sell that bike and buy a pink Vespa. I've heard that they are pretty sweet.

[bodhizafa]

It's almost like I have a KTM or something leaking everywhere did your Katooms finally get over "that time of the month"

Gonna be the the battle of the twins this weekend!

[rtadlock]

Dude, are we even allowed in this forum?

[ColoSean]

I feel like I should wash my bike, before I post in this forum?


To the OP: btw, leaking fork seals can give you the clap. You may want to stay home this weekend and catch up on your knitting.

[bodhizafa]

[rtadlock]

Originally Posted by bodhizafa

It's almost like I have a KTM or something leaking everywhere did your Katooms finally get over "that time of the month"

Gonna be the the battle of the twins this weekend!

The White Knight is a saint! She only secrets when I don't ride her enough...or whenever she's in the garage...or in the parking lot at work. Other than that, she never leaks a drop!

[ColoSean]

Sorry man, we kind of derailed your thread.

[skamikazee]

Just returned from a Morroco trip shortened by a leaky fork on my bike (amongst LC8 electric troubles.... before you guys start).

If you'r planning on riding through sand or it's evil sister 'Fesh-Fesh' better protect your fork's with a Neoperene Sleve.

[Loutre]

Originally Posted by bodhizafa

so we are the 28th, the weekend is over. What did you do? If we don't see you tomorrow can we go with the theorie that you went anyway and that your forks caught fire?

[bodhizafa]

Still not back yet. But seal held up fine after using the thin plastic strip method to clean it.

[JoelWisman]

Originally Posted by Dejavu

I think fork seals only go bad if you ride it like a little girl? You may want to sell that bike and buy a pink Vespa. I've heard that they are pretty sweet.

Dude, I rode a pink vespa two days ago and net ever nor even once did any of the fork seals on either of my F800GS's leak!

As for what happens... the leaking fork stops damping and having damping on just one side supposedly can cause the wheel to cock slightly making control more difficult.

During my time with BMW rode plenty of BMW's with blown to smithereens fork seals and never had a problem except that the front DOES get springy.

Truth be told, there is so darn much stiction in the factory F*GS forks that its not THAT different without fork oil :)

It won't catch on fire, it won't harm the fork, you can keep riding, it just won't handle quite as well and will bottom easier.

Actually, the bike may catch on fire but it will be from the fuel quick disconnect under the seat or the hub oil might catch fire when the disk side bearing seizes, the forks do not catch on fire

[bodhizafa]

Joel.....just ignore everything those Katoom wankers say

[Indy Unlimited]

I run seal savers on all of my dirt and adventure bikes. Never let me down and they will absorb the oil and minimize the chance of getting on your brakes. You need to replace the fork seals and that takes about 2 hours with the right seal driver to do yourself. Lots of instruction on Youtube for fork seal changes. Some guys make drivers out of PVC pipe.
Just use a thin sandwich bag to place the seal over the tube to prevent nicking it on the sharp edge of the tubes.