Stiff Forks On Gilera SMT 50

scott881994 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

About 3 months ago I had to have the fork seals replaced because my old ones were letting oil through. I had new aftermarket ones installed because they were considerably cheaper than the OEM products. The guy at the garage who did the job said the forks will be stiff to start off with but they will soften up. After 3 months they are still as stiff as they were to start with. The handling is quite bad on bumpy areas of road and sometimes the forks push down, lock up and stay in that position. However when it is raining and there is a lot of water on the forks, they aren't stiff at all? I was thinking, could I apply some sort of grease to the forks to stop them being stiff? If so what grease could I use? Thanks.

cb1rocket · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jan 2010 Karma :

just smear some engine oil over them, or lithium grease.

Aren't the forks bent by chance? This can cause it also, even if slightly

scott881994 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

The forks don't look bent, but ive got some lithium grease so I will give that a go. Thanks for your help!

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Sounds like the cheap fork seals are too big. If you are going to put grease on them I would use silicon grease so as not to damage the seals
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
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scott881994 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

Ok thanks!

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

That wasn't to imply Lithium grease would, damage the seal BTW, but Silicon grease is used on brake pistons to protect those seals.

Plus the lithium Grease I have is toffee coloured whereas the Silicon grease is clear.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.