99 KTM 380 wp 50 mm forks

[savwa]

Is there an after market seal for the 50 mm wp Forks? Or is the only choice OEM? I have a problem with my compression fork. the seal only lasts 2 to 3 rides. I have checked for nicks in the fork tube and other defects but cannot find any. Is this a commom thing for these forks? any suggestions?

thanks, Brad

 

[smilinicon]

Try polishing the fork tube with Crocus cloth if you haven't done so already. I fixed a chronic leaker that way before.

 

[scott_ktm]

Make sure you bleed them often. I bleed mine every time I stop to rest and before I tie it down. If you do not have the fork boots, you may want them. And keep them clean. Use a business card or film negative to slide between slider and seal to clean out the dirt. I usually get 4-6 months before I blow one. I also reuse them a couple times. Take them out and soak in transmision stop leak overnight. If you have a couple sets of old ones you can cycle back and forth.

 

[TexKDX]

My '99 got new seals in March 2000. It went all last year and 7 rides this year so far with no leaks. I credit the fork boots for this longivity.

 

[KaTooMer]

Race Tech sells the seals (www.race-tech.com). As for getting the most life out of your seals, check out my tips at:

http://www.geocities.com/aa21830/ForkSeals.html

 

[Idaho Charley]

I too used to have limited life on my 98 fork seals. For me shortening the seal and dust cover tension springs and put on booties stopped the problem. Not a leak in two years of heavy riding, although I do not ride in mud very much.

BTW - I used to bleed my forks and have an audio amount of air hiss out the bleeder; the forks do not seem to build up pressure any more after making the following two changes. 1) stopped flushing the forks with TCE at fork oil changes 2) started using mobile I ATF in the forks.

 

[bultaco290]

I had the some proble on my 380 I think you may need new bushing in the forks, I when thur 3 set of seals in 2 months changed the bushings and it has been over a year with no problems

 

[Strick]

Originally posted by Idaho Charley
I too used to have limited life on my 98 fork seals. For me shortening the seal and dust cover tension springs and put on booties stopped the problem. Not a leak in two years of heavy riding, although I do not ride in mud very much.

BTW - I used to bleed my forks and have an audio amount of air hiss out the bleeder; the forks do not seem to build up pressure any more after making the following two changes. 1) stopped flushing the forks with TCE at fork oil changes 2) started using mobile I ATF in the forks.

I second everything ID Charley said, execpt the pressure building. I have the same setup and I still get the pressure buildup. I ride a lot of whoops though.

Get the fork booties from Holeshot. If you want e-mail me and we can discuss the little tricks on the WP50's, so we don't take up board space.