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Leaking fork seal - how serious? Leaking fork seal - how serious?
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  #1  
Old 6 Aug 2015
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Leaking fork seal - how serious?
I'm prepping my TT600R for a 2 week trip. 99 percent asphalt in Europe and leaving early next week.

I've got neoprene fork gaiters mounted and today I noticed that the lower part of the gaiter, on the right fork (opposite the brake disc), was soaked in oil.

I lifted up the gaiter and my fork seal is leaking. I don't know how long its been leaking or how much its leaking.

I don't have the tools, parts or workshop to fix it myself.

How serious a problem is it? I could get it fixed at my dealer, but it'll blow my vacation budget and I'll probably have to cut my trip short. As it is now, I can't feel any stability problems.

Would I be asking for trouble to head out anyway and fixing it later?

Leaking fork seal - how serious?-uploadfromtaptalk1438883465074.jpg

Leaking fork seal - how serious?-uploadfromtaptalk1438883483086.jpg
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  #2  
Old 6 Aug 2015
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The suspension will go boingy/wooden as the oil goes. Might develop bad habits at speed/under braking. How lucky do you feel?

I'd get it fixed or at least carry the parts.

Andy
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  #3  
Old 6 Aug 2015
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I've just come back from Italy on a bike with no rear suspension damping at all, so it's not the end of the world and I never felt unstable on it. However you might like to check whether the seal has actually failed or whether you've just got some dirt in it that's letting oil past. Here's a YouTube link showing how to clean the seal yourself -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lJH3nnw6mM

Back in the days of film photography a piece of 35mm film was perfect for DIYing the tool but these days there are commercial ones available.

Does it work? It has for me - once.
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  #4  
Old 6 Aug 2015
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what backofbeyond said

I had this trouble just before a trip, I used a piece of card laminated to clean out some dirt and fixed it - 3years later still no problem with leaking. Worth a try.
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  #5  
Old 6 Aug 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
I've just come back from Italy on a bike with no rear suspension damping at all, so it's not the end of the world and I never felt unstable on it. However you might like to check whether the seal has actually failed or whether you've just got some dirt in it that's letting oil past. Here's a YouTube link showing how to clean the seal yourself -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lJH3nnw6mM

Back in the days of film photography a piece of 35mm film was perfect for DIYing the tool but these days there are commercial ones available.

Does it work? It has for me - once.
Yes, ive heard about that trick. I saw the Motion Pro Sealmate which was designed for that.

Too bad everything is digital nowadays, cause 35mm film is rarer than hens teeth.

Ill see if i can find something to clean the seals with. Thanks.
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  #6  
Old 6 Aug 2015
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I remembered my AX-1 from back in the day. The rear shock started leaking. Sent it to a mechanic, and he ruined what little damping there was. The only suspension left was what the spring provided. Never the less i rode that thing for another year, often 2-up, and just learnt to cope with it.
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  #7  
Old 6 Aug 2015
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Changing the seal on those non cartridge type forks is child's play. A novice mech can do the job in under an hour once fork is off bike. (which you can easily do ... I hope!)

The other trick besides cleaning out with film is to rotate fork tube within fork.
Just loosen upper and lower triples, rotate tube ... and hope your lucky and can avoid where cut or nick in seal is. It MIGHT work. Pick your spot and hope for best! (has worked for me as mid trip kluge temp fix)

If you do this be sure to REFILL with proper fork oil (5W or 10W is good) to proper level (more or less)

If it leaks mid journey be sure to wrap fork lower with rag (just below fork seal) to keep oil off brake disc/pads and tire. () Change rag daily.

But really, putting in a new seal is so easy and cheap ... a NO BRAINER ...
DO IT ... it won't break your budget! Skip a couple .... and you've paid for it!
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Old 7 Aug 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PropTP View Post
...35mm film is rarer than hens teeth.
No, it's not, it is commonplace all around you.

Just visit a local cinema about half an hour before the first showing of the day begins, ask the projectionist if he would be so kind as to give you a 6 inch long strip of leader or scrap film.

Most all cinemas still use 35mm film.

Michael
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  #9  
Old 8 Aug 2015
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For just a two weeks trip i would not bother. The oil will slowly come out but you can clean it. It will stop coming out once its half empty. Without oil the suspension will be more like a sofa but as the other side is still working i dont see a problem. If you feel any problems while riding you can refill the fork with normal engine oil. Been there done this. New seals can be boght at louis.de for 9,99 Euro per pair. To replace them will take you one hour. Many tutorials about this on the internet. Have a great trip and dont worry too much
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Old 9 Aug 2015
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Originally Posted by ta-rider View Post
For just a two weeks trip i would not bother. The oil will slowly come out but you can clean it. It will stop coming out once its half empty. Without oil the suspension will be more like a sofa but as the other side is still working i dont see a problem. If you feel any problems while riding you can refill the fork with normal engine oil. Been there done this.

Depends on the forks and how much oil is coming out but for a small amount sometimes you can put a bit of rag or sponge or something between the dust cover and the seal to soak up a bit of oil that would otherwise dribble down onto the tyre. Just check it / change it every fuel stop / night stop.

I have memories of topping up leaking forks with 20-50 engine oil and wishing I hadn't the first time I went over a pothole as the forks were essentially solid. I may well have put too much in but it got emptied out very quickly as riding around leaking forks was preferable to double vision and loose fillings.
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Old 17 Aug 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
I have memories of topping up leaking forks with 20-50 engine oil and wishing I hadn't the first time I went over a pothole as the forks were essentially solid. I may well have put too much in
It takes very little oil to make a big mess.

If you must use something for the fork oil ....
ATF - Automatic Transmission Fluid ... is about 5w .. and that should be ok for fork oil replacement untill you can get the good stuff. It is certainly better than 20-50w! To gauge how much to put in ... well the non leaking side will give you the height of oil in the leg that is required. A bit of wire to act as a dip stick and you have a good idea of where to have the oil in the leaking side.
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Old 17 Aug 2015
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I think ATF is 10W. At least most of them. If your manual is stating 10W, you are good to go for ATF.
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Old 18 Aug 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ccaa View Post
I think ATF is 10W. At least most of them. If your manual is stating 10W, you are good to go for ATF.
Still better than 20-50w engine oil...
Personally ...
I'd not be topping up the fork oil untill it runs towards dry or repairs are completed.
I'd put a rag around the fork leg to try and catch the oil before it makes a mess or gets on the brake. Remove the rag at the end of the days ride and squeeze out as much oil as you can.. bet it won't be much.
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  #14  
Old 17 Aug 2015
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Well, I got the forks fixed! Thanks all for your feedback and tips.
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