Fork oil leak

Indio

Indio

Indio
Been out for 3 weeks. Come back home to see right fork leaking oil. I don't see any obvious issues with fork seal or any damage to either fork leg.

First time I have encountered this.Any ideas why it could have happened?
 
TheRiddler

TheRiddler

Riddle me this.
Mine did the same thing last week - bike hadn't moved in a month. Replaced the seals, solved the problem.
 
stubble

stubble

let's moto!
You can try a seal cleaning tool. It could just be a bit of dirt. Cheap and easy option before you do seals. Has helped me before.
 
HadesOmega

HadesOmega

Well-known member
Might as well change the oil and bushings when you change the seal. What you don't want is the oil getting on your rotors
 
Indio

Indio

Indio
Will try cleaning & then seal saver. I still have to replace the oil so may as well do it all.

Wonderful Labor day weekend to BARF.
 
mototireguy

mototireguy

Moto Tire Veteran
Indio said:
Oil was all over the rotor and wheel. I cleaned it up though. Will likely wash it all down as well.
Click to expand...

Consider adding fork oil to replace the volume of oil dumped on the rotor and wheel.

If the seal saver biz doesn't solve leakage it might be time to bite bullet, remove forks and take them in for fresh oil/seals service.
 
ob1ventura

ob1ventura

Well-known member
bmwbob51 said:
I cut up a plastic milk jug and make my own seal saver!
Click to expand...


Best advice............ listen to Bob

Had a fork seal leak on the '05 10r back when it had only 20k on it. Had the seals replaced. Down the road a couple of years and one of the seals started leaking again. Cut some plastic about the same thickness as Bob suggested and cut it into a hook shape. Shove it down below the seal, rotate it a couple of 360's as you are pulling it up past the seal. Worked and no more leaks up to the time I sold it w/ 120k on the clock.

The '01 dyna started to leak fork oil as described by the op. The fork has some very minor pitting on the front and figured that might be the cause but gave cleaning the seal a try. Ended up buying the plastic thing to clean them, tried it and the leak issue resolved. Now w/ over 120k on the clock the bike has the original seals. Have had to clean the once again about 30k ago.

If you have inverted forks I suggest removing and clean them upside down so that fluid does not leak out as you clean the seal.
 
MX500

MX500

Pooter
I used film. Yes, old school film. the small squares helped clean mine out. worked for me once, worth trying for sure.
 
MX500

MX500

Pooter
Brake pad contamination is a real fear, if they got oily at all, I would replace them for maximum safety. I can't recommend it, but in my youth I have reused oily pads after cleaning with brake clean and then heat cycling them....
 
B

bobl

Well-known member
I've also used a .003 feeler gauge to clean. I like to add fork gaiters to keep out the junk. Ebay ones are cheap, and make a big difference if your forks have no protection on the fork legs.
 
R

rodzghost

Well-known member
bmwbob51 said:
I cut up a plastic milk jug and make my own seal saver!
Click to expand...

I did the same with some thick plastic from a doggie treats bag. Not ideal, but it seems to have done the trick. First couple passes, I was able to pull out some gunky black stuff.

My right fork had started leaking shortly after dripping a couple drops of brake fluid on it. That reminded me real quick to use a rag under my front brake MC when changing fluid. I'm assuming the gunky stuff was the eaten remains of the fork seal that got in contact with the brake fluid.

In any case, I did a few passes with my homemade "seal mate" and the leak appears to be gone for now. Went ahead and bought an actual sealmate, as my homemade one had a tendency to fold over if I didn't get it in just right.
 
norcalkid

norcalkid

Well-known member
When mine started leaking I just kinda looked at it as an opportunity to change the springs out for my weight.
 
Indio

Indio

Indio
Damn, I am traveling again. Will have to take it to dealer or shop, as I just don't have time. Even if I had time, I don't know if I am competent enough to deal with it.

Recommend a shop in East Bay (preferably closer to Tri-Valley area) ?
 
Indio

Indio

Indio
bobl said:
I've also used a .003 feeler gauge to clean. I like to add fork gaiters to keep out the junk. Ebay ones are cheap, and make a big difference if your forks have no protection on the fork legs.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I will have to use them as well.
 
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