Fork seals.

[carlosthejack...]

How will I know if my fork seals are leaking on my '05 Hornet? My right upper fork leg has a bit of dirty smearing on it above where it goes into the lower, and the right hand side of my tank is spattered with fluid when I get to work. There's nothing running down the leg and the dust seal is intact. Feels ok too. I'm taking it back to the shop tomorrow for them to have a look at, but I was wondering if I need to? Does it sound like a leak or am I just being paranoid?

I'm saying it feels ok, it does feel a little 'juddery' under hard braking. Maybe not juddery as such, but not ultra smooth like I thought it would. Again, am I being paranoid?[/img]
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Responsibility. It's a difficult reality for some. I'm running the 2014 Sheffield Half Marathon on behalf of Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice. Please sponsor me, even if it's just a quid.
DonnyBrago: "I think you may be confusing rain and napalm..." Paulington: "It's not what you ride, it's how you ride it."
Current rides: '05 VFR800 VTEC, '57 Mondeo 1.8 TDCi #58LEGEND

[duhawkz]

I usually lift up the dust seal out of the way, wipe the forks clean then bounce the front a couple times then check if there is any oil on the forks or round the seals
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"The guy is a worthless cunt and I honestly believe I would be a slightly happier person if he died." - Chris-Red

[Casper]

Its gone mate. Get them changed.

[carlosthejack...]

[.....]

Check the headstock bearings as well as well as wheel bearings.

[Willson]

If you have floating discs that could be the notchyness/click. It is on my SV, the disc can move back and forward slightly.

Willson
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Riding: '00 Suzuki SV650S. Previous: '99 Kawasaki ER5 - sold, '02 Suzuki GZ125 Marauder - sold

[stinkwheel]

Might just be dust under the seals.

I only found this out recently and now wonder how many sets of perfectly good fork seals are changed every year because of a smear of oil on the stanchion.

If there is no pitting or marks on the stanchions, the seal should be ok. You can clean the dust out from underneath it by wrapping a thin, rigid piece of plastic film round the stanchion and pushing it down past the seal a couple of times. Photographic negatives are perfect for this.

My finacees CB500 was leaking so much oil from the seal it was starting to run down the fork leg. Did the film trick and it's still dry as a bone 1500 miles later.
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[delsol]

[stinkwheel]

[carlosthejack...]

All changed, nice as pie now!
____________________
Responsibility. It's a difficult reality for some. I'm running the 2014 Sheffield Half Marathon on behalf of Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice. Please sponsor me, even if it's just a quid.
DonnyBrago: "I think you may be confusing rain and napalm..." Paulington: "It's not what you ride, it's how you ride it."
Current rides: '05 VFR800 VTEC, '57 Mondeo 1.8 TDCi #58LEGEND

[Rogerborg]

BUMPing to thank Mr Wheel for another excellent bit of advice.