Front fork leaking again

[chrisjp]

i just had the seals replaced by the dealership at the beginning of last season to the tune of 500 bucks. due to my shoulder injury i barely did 1000 miles this past season. now the left side seal has a minor leak in it again after the winter. (is it possible due to i leave it on the side stand over the winter that side has more "twist" and thus leak?) what can i do or possibly add to make sure it dont get any worse.?

[GIXERHP]

What kind of shape is the gold coating on the lower legs?

[mike1180]

I did mine this winter and used All Balls seals.

All Balls Products

Don't know how they will last but the description is good:

Patented fork seal features a balanced 3 lip design that evenly distributes the pressure reducing operating temperature, wear and friction.
Custom Elastomer Fork Seals have been tested to outlast OEM fork seals. Extends typical seal life by 3 to 5 times over OEM seals.
Stiction (friction) measures from 1/3 to ½ less than OEM seals for smoother fork action.
Lower Stiction, Longer Life! It doesn't get any better than this!
Plus, the Only complete line of Dust Wipers! Wipers should be replaced with the fork seals to assure peak performance.

[chrisjp]

i just went outside...not a scratch or blemish on the gold of the tube... i popped down the dust seal and cleanned...very fine particals if anything popped the seal back up and sat on the bike and compressed the front just a little and shinny slightly wet coat, barely something to wipe but still they were just replaced...is there anything you can put in the top to "condition" the oil to assist with the leak as it is minor. or will the warmer weather help with expansion on the seals?

[mike1180]

The tube will expand a bit when warmer and that just may fix it.
I have never heard of putting anything in the oil to stop it.

[GIXERHP]

Once they start to leak, its only going to get worse!

It sound's like the seals may have not been installed properly!

Or maybe too much fork oil was put in!

[Tufbusa]

Seals either leak or they don't. If they were installed last season and just now showing signs of leakage, it's not an installation problem. There is no reason one can put a finger on the cause. Sometimes they last for years other times they last weeks.

[alglag412]

???

[Mr Bogus]

Once they start to leak, its only going to get worse!

It sound's like the seals may have not been installed properly!

Or maybe too much fork oil was put in!

mine were new too... about 5k on them..

[Mr Bogus]

Seals either leak or they don't. If they were installed last season and just now showing signs of leakage, it's not an installation problem. There is no reason one can put a finger on the cause. Sometimes they last for years other times they last weeks.

not sure I entirely buy that... I have installed thousands of various seals over the years and a improperly installed seal may hold for some time before leaking.. Elasticity of the seal degrades with age and if the seal was tweaked a bit, it could seal till it hardens up in time.. Have seen this dozens of times in hydraulic seals and I am betting this is a dual lip seal like any other hydraulic seal.. (do not have one in front of me right now)

I am also guessing they have pretty low static pressure on them (sticktion issues)

[dolilind]

wow $500 bucks... my bike is getting that done right now at my motor shop for $150

[Mr Bogus]

wow $500 bucks... my bike is getting that done right now at my motor shop for $150

am betting valve kits and springs were installed too...

[dolilind]

am betting valve kits and springs were installed too...

must have been.

[Tufbusa]

not sure I entirely buy that... I have installed thousands of various seals over the years and a improperly installed seal may hold for some time before leaking.. Elasticity of the seal degrades with age and if the seal was tweaked a bit, it could seal till it hardens up in time.. Have seen this dozens of times in hydraulic seals and I am betting this is a dual lip seal like any other hydraulic seal.. (do not have one in front of me right now)

I am also guessing they have pretty low static pressure on them (sticktion issues)

You are correct in many cases but the fork seal is a tough one to screw up. It has a snap ring that holds it in place os it has to be seated properly in order for the snap ring to be installed. If you screw up the seal it will leak as soon as you pur pressure on it. I've changed tons of fork seals and never had a leak thus far.

[Mr Bogus]

You are correct in many cases but the fork seal is a tough one to screw up. It has a snap ring that holds it in place os it has to be seated properly in order for the snap ring to be installed. If you screw up the seal it will leak as soon as you pur pressure on it. I've changed tons of fork seals and never had a leak thus far.

captive seals can be screwed up and still allow the snap ring to be installed.. Power steering gears and pumps use captive oil seals and very often they will not leak initially and then fail later.. Normally someone dents the shell of the seal (distorts the ID on the seal).. never say never...

Glad you have had good luck.. I myself have had a number of new seals fail over the years in hydraulic systems (comes with the territory when you do it every day I guess)

[GIXERHP]

captive seals can be screwed up and still allow the snap ring to be installed.. Power steering gears and pumps use captive oil seals and very often they will not leak initially and then fail later.. Normally someone dents the shell of the seal (distorts the ID on the seal).. never say never...

Glad you have had good luck.. I myself have had a number of new seals fail over the years in hydraulic systems (comes with the territory when you do it every day I guess)

Randy your bike has a lot of trailer miles also, ive seen them blow just by tightning the tie downs too much!

[Mr Bogus]

Randy your bike has a lot of trailer miles also, ive seen them blow just by tightning the tie downs too much!

2400 last year as a matter of fact.. I do not strap the front end either.. I use a chock and so only needs 2 straps to keep bike from rolling out.. My handle bars have never seen a strap

[djsin]

i have a dealer here that if i bring him the forks and my new seals he will do them for 69$ including oil

[Loomis]

Randy your bike has a lot of trailer miles also, ive seen them blow just by tightning the tie downs too much!

LOL Classic...

[Mr Bogus]

LOL Classic...

should have seen the year before.. 4 trips to the Dragon , OKC for Caps and a trip to Eureka springs.. about 8K miles..

That does bring up an interesting fact however.. that was all done on the same trailer setup with the old seals... never leaked a drop