MOTOBRICK.COM

TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: argent brick on December 04, 2012, 01:32:57 AM

Title: Leaking Fork Seal
Post by: argent brick on December 04, 2012, 01:32:57 AM

My left fork seal has started leaking. How hard is it to take care of it?

Title: Re: Leaking Fork Seal
Post by: 552255 on December 04, 2012, 11:55:17 AM

Try a thin piece of metal (feeler guage thin) and carefully go around and 'under' the seal to attempt to dislodge crud...otherwise replace.  Sure there is a write-up (lieberry?) here.  Its a good bit of work.

Title: Re: Leaking Fork Seal
Post by: argent brick on December 04, 2012, 04:04:54 PM

Thanks, the feeler gauge idea sounds like something that I will try.

Title: Re: Leaking Fork Seal
Post by: mystic red on December 04, 2012, 07:59:52 PM

Seals aren't rocket science, just a bunch of busy work. :yes

Title: Re: Leaking Fork Seal
Post by: Rick G on December 04, 2012, 08:51:58 PM

Quote from: argent brick on December 04, 2012, 04:04:54 PM

Thanks, the feeler gauge idea sounds like something that I will try.

I haven;t had any success with using a feeler gauge but I think it depends if the seal is shagged or the grasshopper tried to hide under it to get out of the breeze.

Title: Re: Leaking Fork Seal
Post by: TimTyler on December 05, 2012, 01:04:17 PM

Replacing seals was the first repair I did when I got my bike. It's not hard but it does require some ingenuity and time. There are several screws that can be stripped fairly easily, or might have been stripped by a previous owner. It was good to clear out the sludge in the bottom of the forks though.

Title: Re: Leaking Fork Seal
Post by: Jumpin Jimmy B on December 05, 2012, 10:22:52 PM

Drop the fork legs. Take them apart & clean well. If it's not been done you may be amazed at all the crud in there.

 Install the new seals AND fork boots !  Rancho #1952 shock boots work REAL well.  Keeps the crude and rain out.

 Has worked for me for over 25,000 miles.

 
 

Title: Re: Leaking Fork Seal
Post by: argent brick on December 06, 2012, 12:34:26 AM

Quote from: Jumpin Jimmy B on December 05, 2012, 10:22:52 PM

Drop the fork legs. Take them apart & clean well. If it's not been done you may be amazed at all the crud in there.

 Install the new seals AND fork boots !  Rancho #1952 shock boots work REAL well.  Keeps the crude and rain out.

 Has worked for me for over 25,000 miles.

What is so special about Rancho shock boots? I figured boots were boots. How different can they be?

Title: Re: Leaking Fork Seal
Post by: robleyd on December 06, 2012, 12:56:39 AM

They're cheap - $5.48 each from Amazon - and they fit with minor trimming of the top of the boot. Of course, you can adapt boots from other model BMs but be prepared to dig deeper in the wallet.

Title: Re: Leaking Fork Seal
Post by: Jumpin Jimmy B on December 08, 2012, 09:14:05 AM

yah der hey, they is cheap but look good!

 I used hose clamps painted with truck bed liner to hold them onto the fork leg. My bike is a dark graphite color and it looks better this way I think. The top part of the fork boot fits very snug to the fork tube, no clamp needed.