Author Topic: Oil leak from top of fork tubes - K75C  (Read 4771 times)

Offline bundybear75

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Oil leak from top of fork tubes - K75C
« on: December 18, 2015, 04:53:41 AM »
Hi there,

I recently put back on the road a K75C that I brought several years ago not running.

One of the repairs I had done whilst it was off the road was getting the fork seals replaced.

Since getting it registered the other day I have noticed that the forks leak a little at the top of the tube when they are compressed. Is this a concern or have they just been overfilled when the seals were replaced?

I had them done perhaps 18 months ago (doing bits when funds allow) so I probably have no come back on the shop that done them.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

George
  • Goulburn NSW Australia
  • 87 K75C & 02 R1150GS

Offline Martin

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Re: Oil leak from top of fork tubes - K75C
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2015, 06:11:28 AM »
George it could be a couple of simple things ,first you need to remove the black plastic cap on top of the forks. Once you have done this clean up any oil, and compress the forks until you can see where the oil is coming from. It could either be the filler plug in which case, see if it is loose. If it is loose you will need to hold the top plug while you tighten it with an allen key. If it leaks when it is tight, you will need to replace the small copper washers under the filler plug. If it is leaking around the outer edge of the top plug you will need to replace the "O" rings. In order to do this you will have to compress the plug down the fork tube, enough so you can remove the circlip. You can do this a few ways, easiest is to use a two legged puller place legs on either side of the triple clamp and wind down the puller to compress the top plug enough to remove the circlip. The next easiest way is to use a long "T" bar and get a helper to push it down while you remove the circlip. Use a couple of small screwdrivers to do this. Remove the top plug and replace the "O" ring. Replace plug reversing the removal procedure. There are various oil quantities depending on year & model. Just look it up, there are two types of fork Fichtel & Sachs & Showa with different oil levels depending on year & model.
Regards Martin
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline bundybear75

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Re: Oil leak from top of fork tubes - K75C
« Reply #2 on: December 25, 2015, 08:12:30 PM »


Oil seems to be coming out of this part (indicated by the red arrow) - It seems to be loose as in it turns easily with a spanner. Is this the plug as described above? Is it supposed to turn or should it be tight? I haven't been able to check the center cap screw as I need to unbolt the bars to get at it.

If it is the O rings, are they are standard size (that I could find in my O ring kit) or are they an "order from BMW" part?

If I remove the plug as described in Martins post, does the top come out under pressure or just a little spring load? I debated doing the fork seals myself last time but not understanding how they are constructed I thought it best to subbie that job out.
  • Goulburn NSW Australia
  • 87 K75C & 02 R1150GS

Offline Martin

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Re: Oil leak from top of fork tubes - K75C
« Reply #3 on: December 25, 2015, 08:51:36 PM »
George it's the "O" rings around the top plug that you need to replace. You might have the right size in your kit, it's not hard to remove the plug and size up with the one's in your kit. You can rotate the plug's with a spanner, they're only held in with a circlip. You can reduce the amount of pressure by putting a block of wood between the front of the engine and a jack, and jack up until front wheel is off the ground and the rear is now on the ground. Remove the belly pan first you don't want to damage it ,you shouldn't have on on a 75c.The amount of pressure generated by the spring is easily managed. If you don't want to do it by hand Supercheap has a small three legged puller that will compress the spring while you remove the circlip.
Regards Martin.

  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline bundybear75

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Re: Oil leak from top of fork tubes - K75C
« Reply #4 on: December 25, 2015, 09:03:47 PM »
Thanks Martin for the quick reply,

I may have a chop at this this afternoon - I already have the 3 legged puller, I was just concerned about the pressures. Having changed springs in cars and 4wds I have a very healthy respect for the stored energy kept within them.

Thanks for your help
  • Goulburn NSW Australia
  • 87 K75C & 02 R1150GS

Offline bundybear75

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  • Posts: 6
Re: Oil leak from top of fork tubes - K75C
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2015, 05:30:36 AM »
Well fork seals replaced using Martin's method.

Worked great after a few teething problems.

I found I had to remove headlight, instrument cluster and handlebars to get to the top of the tubes.



Had trouble with this particular one as someone had flogged the top of the fork tube and burred it over as pictured. I compressed the plug further down the tube and used a die grinder on a Dremmel to grind away the burr, then flushed out the filings with some WD40 and compressed air.



I found the correct O rings in a standard O ring kit and reinstalled using the puller and a little rubber grease to help it slide in.

After a 150km road test yesterday over some rough roads no sign of a leak.

Now time to fix a pesky leak from the clutch pushrod

Cheers

George
  • Goulburn NSW Australia
  • 87 K75C & 02 R1150GS

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