Top tip for sorting leaking fork seals - without removing

[Blue_SV650S]

I was given this top tip by a couple of people now, but have only just needed to try it out for real ... anyway ..

You can do this with the forks still on the bike, so real easy to try.

Basically it seems fork seals on a muddy bike can start weeping but not actually be knackered.

Basically crud gets in the seal and prevents it sealing. I have dismantled my forks before and simply cleaned the seal, then re-assembled fork and the seal works fine ... but I have to say that is a right fag!!

Thankfully you don't need to do all that, you can clean them out by simply moving the dust seal up/down the leg, exposing the main seal. Then all you do is slip a thin feeler gauge under the seal (i.e. between the fork tube and the seal lips) and work your way round the seal, sliding/scooping the feeler out and wiping crud off regularly.

When no more crud comes out, you are done ... clean the dust seal too, slip it into place and you are all done!!

Clearly if your seals are knackered, they are knackered, but this has to be worth a try next time yours start leaking ....

Worked on mine!!
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[stinkwheel]

Seen the same thing done by wrapping a bit of old 35mm film with the slots cut off one edge tightly round the fork leg and pushing it down past the seals.
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“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.

[DJMerritt]

Ya those things would work perfectly fine but if you guys don't have any of that laying around you can pick up a product called sealmate it is specifically designed for getting the dirt and debris out of the fork seals so they no longer leak. check em out on www.sealmate.net or Google search it they are also on you tube search for sealmate. Or you can pick it up at any of the motorcycle shops.

[Blue_SV650S]

[weasley]

I did exactly this with a thin feeler gauge on my KDX 125 when one leg was badly weeping. A load of crud came out and it's as good as new now!

[silky666]

[Blue_SV650S]

I guess you can take claim to some sort of ownership as you were one of the original planters of the idea seed ...

But it took watering and nurturing by people that actually knew what they were on about before it grew enough to bear fruit!!

I just wish you wouldn't be so ghey and needy about everything!!
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.