Leaking forks 6 months after seals replaced

[Andy9934]

I got my Honda Varadero 125 last August and sent it in for a full service. There was a bit of oil on the front mudguard, rusty chain etc so requested it be given the works so it'd be good for me to nip about on.

It's done about 1000 miles since then (600 miles since 1st Oct) and been in the garage when not in use but the fork has started leaking pretty badly again (see photos), and I think this is only since a journey through london.
(This involved around a million speed bumps, that might be relevant?)

The MOT is due next month, and I'm guessing the seals need replacing again, but I am pretty sure they are supposed to last more than 6 months! Can anyone hazard a guess about what might have caused this fast failure and the cost/method to prevent it reoccurring?
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Surrey
Honda Varadero XL125

[Rogerborg]

Why were they leaking in the first place?

Stanchions are pitted, bushes are worn and/or they never actually replaced the seals, just packed some grease in.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Islander]

Did they check/replace the bushes? If they're worn then the sliders won't run true to the stanchions.

Could also be cheap pattern seals - they've been known to fail fairly quickly.

[P.addy]

Pattern seals likely.

[CaNsA]

Leaking fork seals...

Posts pics of front mud guard...

[Rogerborg]

But, but, that's where the oil's gone.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Andy9934]

The reason I didn't think to post the forks is that I can't see anything untoward on them anywhere. I've attached pics to this post. The right fork is the offending one. For comparison, the left is not leaking. No signs of rust or pitting, just some grease at the top of the travel.

I am pretty sure if he said he replaced the seals then he did, just an independent mechanic and seems as trustworthy as one can tell without a knowledge of mechanics.

The service receipt just says seals and oil so I'm guessing they didn't do the bushes.
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Surrey
Honda Varadero XL125

[CaNsA]

They both look a bit buggered IMO.

Drop the forks, replace the seals and bushes yourself with OEM parts.

[P.addy]

Wouldn't be holding off too long. Grab some genuine seals and bushes. Don't get tempted with pattern. They are terrible.

[Andy9934]

What makes you say they both look buggered? To me they both look nice, straight and undamaged?

Definitely not something I have the time, tools or expertise for, unfortunately.
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Surrey
Honda Varadero XL125

[CaNsA]

Andy, let's not make this simple problem into a fucking drama.

1. always replace for seals in pairs.

2. i can see fluid, that i assume is fork oil, on both forks.

3. buy OEM parts and ask a mechanic to fit them.

[Andy9934]

I... wasn't trying to? Just trying to hopefully learn a bit more about how to spot damage on future bikes as I can't see anything but the problem has been there since I bought it.

The pair were replaced last time.
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Surrey
Honda Varadero XL125

[Rogerborg]

[Vincent]

Next time the seals are done, get the bushes replaced at the same time
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Space Is Deep

[Robby]

Pattern seals. I've never had a set of them last a year. I stopped using them altogether 10 years ago.

If you want to do the job fairly cheaply in a way that will probably work, fit new genuine seals. If you want to do it really well, also replace the bushes.

[Commuter_Tim]

[Islander]

[orac]

the pattern seals in the 400 have gone 4 years and more than 30,000km. cant remember the brand off hand, forks a little pitted too. Fitted myself worked them in gently with a round ended allen key, used original bush too.

quality after market is fine, I will try and get a name in the next day or so. its very much a case of don't skimp and you wont pay twice.
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Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

[Andy9934]