Leaky fork seals

[sabian92]

Hey BCF,

Just noticed yesterday I've got quite a badly leaking left fork seal. I was planning on doing a full "bike in bits" service in the next few months so is it worth leaving until then or does it need fixing ASAP?

It's only the left hand fork so it isn't leaking onto the brakes (single disc on the YBR) but still, it can't be good.

Ta

[Itchy]

Depends, but once an oil seal goes it invariably gets worse.

The old skool BCF bodge was this:

Take off the dust seal (carefully) roll up some kitchen towel and stuff it in there replace dust seal this has gotten past MOT testers. I did this for my NTV, I even secured a plastic bag around the top of the fork and went on ride outs. It went a bit pear shaped when I was up snake pass with Froggy and the fork seal burst rendering my front brake unusable. I then continued to ride it with no oil in the forks for a few months.


The proper way to do it is replace the fork seals and bushes, I've done it myself but it can get messy and it the slide hammer doesn't work it can be troublesome.

If I get fork seal problems forks come off and they go to the local mech for £75 to replace bushes and seals + parts.
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[Beehive Bedlam]

Seeing as it is not affecting braking power I would leave it until the MOT is due fit fork gaiters when you do replace seals also.

Why are you planning on doing a 'full bike in bits' service? Just ride it until something breaks and then fix it.

[sabian92]

Ta Itchy, reckon I'll do it the proper way though

Bodyguard, I ain't taking advice from you, you're to maintenance what maccies is to fine dining. You're a mong when it comes to safety and I'd rather not "fix it when it breaks". It's clearly broken now or it wouldn't be leaking, would it?

[Kickstart]

Hi

I would say that most of the time a fork seal is not difficult to do, especially on an unfaired bike (easier to support the front end in the air without taking anything extra off).. Occasionally splitting the forks can be a nightmare though.

All the best

Keith
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[Itchy]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Quite a common solution .

Longer the seal is blown for I suspect the higher chance the bushes will be wrecked (assuming the bike in question has bushes in the forks).

All the best

Keith
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[pdg]

[map]

I am in the dismantling forks can be a disaster waiting to happen camp.
Especially as I only get to do this once in a blue moon.
Mine need doing so I am going to take them out myself and take to friendly bike place. They do more of this stuff and have the right kit.

I provide parts so only pay extra for the labour and experience.
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[Wull]

So long as it ain't too bad then it can wait but I had a very bad leaking fork,so much so there was a puddle next to the bike so I got it done ASAP.

Stripping down the fork and replacing the seals is easy enough,just time consuming but taking your time is the best way,making sure its done right.
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[wr6133]

Just get it done. Fork seals are one of those jobs people seem to dread but in reality are not that difficult or massivley time consuming. Even fully servicing the fork is more tedious than difficult.

[TUG]

Don't leave it, fix it ASAP, it will damage the internals if you ride it with it leaking.
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