Leaking oil from front suspension - got any advice?

[Fallen Angel]

Looking for some advice here.

My wee bikes not been used for a few days and tonight when we were down looking at it, Eddie noticed a wee puddle of oil (very slight about the size of a 50p piece) just under the front suspension.

Anyone got any tips where this could be coming from, and how to fix it!

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Cheers in advance!

Fran
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[NickD]

Check your fork seals.
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[Fallen Angel]

That's what Eddie said it might be, only thing is, neither of us are very technical minded!!

So, how do we do that?
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[NickD]

On each fork there's an oil seal where the fork leg goes into the fork bottom. Wipe the fork leg clean just above the seal, then holding the front brake, compress the front suspension a couple of times, and if it leaves a tide mark on your newly cleaned bit, that's your problem.
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[Fallen Angel]

Cheers mate!

If that is the problem, how easy is it to fix OR how much would it cost to have it fixed by a mechanic?
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[ZRX61]

Ya sure it's fork oil & not brake fluid leaking from the lines/calipers?

[Robby]

They aren't hard to do if you have a little mechanical knowledge. Quite hard the first time, but easier after that.

Otherwise its 2 hours labour in a garage+ about 20 quid parts.

Do not under any circumstances use pattern fork seals.

[Fallen Angel]

Robby - Cheers - what's the difference re. pattern seals?

ZRX61 - Can I assume once I do what NKD666 suggested re. the fork seals, if this doesn't seem to be the problem, that we then may have an issue. re. brake fluid? If it is the brake fluid, would I be able to tell from the brake fluid indicator on the handle bars - if it looks like the level has gone down?
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[NickD]

If you've got a manual, and some means to support the bike while you've got the fork off, it's an easy job even if you're not particularly mechanical (got to start somewhere though). I couldn't tell you about your bike, but a pair of seals for mine were about 20 quid. And I could'nt tell you what it'd cost to have it done, but I would bet it wouldn't be cheap.
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[Fallen Angel]

Eddie's away down to the garage just now to check the way you suggested Nick!!
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[ZRX61]

[ZRX61]

Having a slow day here, the suspense is killing me

[Fallen Angel]

Right, apparently, when you push the suspension down and release it, the fork that goes into the bottom section comes back out covered in oil!!! How un-mechanical am I?!?!

If it is the seals, which it does seem to be, is this a major problem that needs to be fixed immediately before riding the bike again?
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[NickD]

Officially yes, but I personally wouldn't have it high on my priority list on a bike of that weight (unless I was taking it for an MOT soon), If it's not losing much oil, just keep it topped up and it'll be ok. Make sure it's not getting on the brake disc though.
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[ZRX61]

ok, thats the fork seal for sure then.
The only danger is the oil getting on the brake rotor and/or pads which can make stopping a bit of an event. I've had a leaking seal on my ZRX for about 3 months, I just wipe the oil off whenever I ride it. So it's not a *must fix this immediatley* type of thing. If the oil isn't getting on the brakes you can ignore it for a while. I wouldn't bother topping it up, to much hassle & oil level in forks in a fairly critical measurement.
It;s not a difficult thing to fix, but if you're both a bit mechanically inept ya may want someone of the other end of the phone to talk ya thru it.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Sounds like the seal has gone.

They are not that difficult to change on normal forks. Sounds like it has gone badly from how you have described it so I would suggest changing them soon to avoid the oil getting on the disks.

If you are not happy changing them then support the front of the bike and remove the fork, then take just the fork into a bike shop.

All the best

Keith
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[Ian (GPX)]

Should cost around £40 - £60 plus parts to fix that, it cost me £50.00 to have both my forks done on my GPZ400R, took 1 hour 30 mins for the mechanic to do all the work.

[Fallen Angel]

Thanks everyone!!

The small leak is at the opposite side to the brake disk, so shouldn't cause too much problems there, but we will definitely keep an eye on it and get it fixed asap.

We have the link to the manual, but it doesn't seem to download for me!!!

Will have a go at downloading it again though, but you've all been a great help.
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[Ste]

Cost me £35 plus about £10 for parts to get my fork seals before. It might only be on the side away from the brake disk, but how must are you willing to trust a front tyre to grip the tarmac when it has random drips of oil to contend with?

Better changed sooner rather than later before it gets any worse or causes something slightly bad.

[Fallen Angel]

The bike's off the road for a few days anyway now 'cause the fairing's away to get fixed, so once that comes back, or whilst it's away, we'll have a look at the forks, etc. once we get a manual!!
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[Rory]

Angel, I would get the seals looked at with a fair amount of priority, as if your seals have gone (and it sounds like they have) it'll put the bike's handling off, possibley by quite a bit. It's entirely possible for oil to leak onto your brake discs, and which it won't stop you braking, it'll make it much more difficult. The difference with my bike once I got new forks seals on (and stiffer suspension, but that's my preference) and clean brake discs was amazing, like a different bike. So hop to it! [/b]
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