Forking hell!

[Whosthedaddy]

I just returned home to find a wet spot under my front tyre.

As its not water run off from rain or dew, I rubbed it with a finger to find that its black as a coal miners armpit, just like dirty oil

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=31650

I think that its coming from my right hand fork. There are fluid / oil marks from around the top seal and also all over my right hand brake caliper.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=31649

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=31648

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=31647

Do you guys and gals think thats its a seal thats broken? Whats the cost of getting this fixed, any ideas? Do I need to get both forks repaired?

Obviously Its gonna be dangerous to ride this whilst there is an oily substance on the brakes, but with a clean do you think it'll be alright to ride 5 mins down the road to mechanic?

As a foot note, it kinda makes sense why under gentle braking the bars would shake / vibrate a little, but under hard braking they wouldn't as much. I thought that it was a steering bearing, not suspension

Any advice would be useful

Cheers
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[craigs23]

I haven't seen a fork seal blow like that before, usually it's a more progressive problem. Fork seals should be done in pairs (common practice for me) are quite inexpensive and should take an hour - an hour and a half. Given the contamination, you might want to consider new pads, and to re-rough up the disc surface.

[bish777]

spray it all liberally with brake cleaner ad give it a wipe off at least, befroe riding anywheres.
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GSXR1100J

[MarJay]

fork seals can go like that if the forks are pitted, and the pit rubbed over the edge of the seal.

Or, you have landed a hard wheelie!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Whosthedaddy]

[sickpup]

[Jack_Cheese]

I've got the same problem. How much would a garage charge for it? I have no experience working with forks, and needless to say, my brakes aren't very effective at the mo...

Jack
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www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"

[Garnsie]

Just had my fork seals done last weekcost me a tenner for both seals from www.busters-accessories.co.uk had a mechanic fit them down the road cost me £40. so £50 for both of them in total.Only problem is....... i went straight out practicing my wheelies and yes the left hand side one is nackered again!! but im hoping its because there is too much fork oil in it....hopefully. I woke up to find a puddle around my front wheel cleaned it off and i am going to take it back to the mechanic see what he has to say....not gonna tell him about the wheelies though lol.
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1987 VFR400K NC23 - 1999 CBR600FX

[Whosthedaddy]

[DaveH]

Seals on my bike went and the local garage was able to sand them down, put araldite over them and then flatten them back to correct diameter.

Lasted about 6 months and one of them went again as the pitting had bubbled up again; got a second hand pair from a guy on the kwak forum and have to reasonable condition forks on the bike and two that I could get rechromed if need be, am on the road again in the mean time though