Fork me seals

[Blue_SV650S]

I have done 3 days out on my KTM now and it is a great bike to ride

But its running/maintenance costs are hideous!!

Basically I replaced the fork seals for genuine KTM seals and after 3 days laning they are fecked!!!

Now I know 'laning is a bit harsh on components, but how long are your seals lasting??

p.s. there is no obvious signs of damage or pitting to the stanchions ...
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[silky666]

I get through 2 or 3 sets a year.

1) Before replacing them, try the feeler guage method.
(has worked numerous times for me)
2) Spend £20 on some 'seal savers'
(Kreiga ones look best).
3) Its not always the stanchions ... someone told me that if the bushes are worn / teflon coat gone .. then that can make the seals wear and leak.
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There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

[G]

A lot longer than that, including Hare and Hounds, enduro practices etc.
Sounds like there's a problem somewhere (slightly bent fork?)

Still stop moaning, there are cheaper hobbies as I mentioned elsewhere :
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BouOpfHoYlU/STQIDCc6FtI/AAAAAAAABWE/hYX_WxYfkkA/s400/knitting.jpg

[Blue_SV650S]

I did smack pretty hard into a log/step down water lane ... I wonder if I 'popped' the seals there ...


G, I know I squeak when I walk, but 3 rides from some genuine seals takes the p1ss!!

Changing seals is a right PITA ... that is why I went for proper (and expensive) KTM ones ... not some cheap ebay ones or something ...
____________________
The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[stinkwheel]

Wonder if you nicked them putting them on?

Did you tape up the end of the stanchion or use a seal bullet to slide them over initially?
https://www.motionpro.com/images/items/08-0276.jpg
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[MaybeGuy]

[Blue_SV650S]

[stinkwheel]

They're upside downies on a KTM aren't they?

Lots of sharp edges to catch a seal on while fitting them. Very, very easy to damage the lip of the seal on any of the parts it goes over (the end of the stanchion and the recess where the bushing was removed from).
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Blue_SV650S]

[Blue_SV650S]

Right, took the forks apart today, long story short, muck had got past the dust seals (not that surprising as I hadn't replaced them) - now the dust seals were not torn, so clearly they will prevent larger particles from passing, but there was other grit/sh1t/grime/slime behind it and therefore some of it had made its way into the seals.

Anyway, after disassembling the forks and taking the seals out (presuming they would need to be replaced), they actually looked in good condition, with sharp edges, the lot!! ... so I wiped away any muck that was on the seal, slid back over the stanchion and tested their 'wiping' ability ... sure enough they were NOW wiping the stanchion clear!!

So re-assembled and tested with the forks full of oil and under pressure (bounce up and down) - sure enough they were working again!!

Anyway, bought some of these to prevent it happening again (HOPEFULLY)!!

KTM NEOPRENE FORK GAITORS https://shop.jimaimracing.co.uk/acatalog/Fork_Gaitors.html#a59504090050

So basically the seals were ok, but where they had some muck in them, they were not sealing properly and therefore weeping.

I haven't tested the bike properly yet, but the 'bounce test' is showing perfect results (the bounce test was clearly leaving oil residue before with only 2-3 bounces, I can now do 20 and there is essentially NONE!! ).

So fingers crosses the neoprene gaitors will keep the crud off. Lets face it, muck now has too get past the neoprene AND the dust seal to get into the oil seal, so it has its work cut out!!
____________________
The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[G]

Apparently you do need to be careful and check the neoprene ones after every ride you've been in deep water as they can trap water in there.

[Blue_SV650S]

[G]

I presume you do have front fork protectors?

Oh and you could always use a re-usable cable tie . (Or be ultra-cheap like me and re-use normal cable ties!)

[Blue_SV650S]