:(Would it be bad on the front forks to ride with a leaky front fork seal?It is only one that is leaking.(the side were the caliper/disc is on).It feels weird riding it the way it is,it feels super soft and,like I have a flat when im riding?I got a quote to replace the fork seals and they said $180 plus parts.... :yikes: .Im not good with jacking with suspension. :pissed:.What should I do?I wanna ride tomorrow.Would I be tearing up more stuff?
leaky fork seals...
- Thread starter CR_RIDER
- Start date
First, you should give people more than 15 minutes to answer your questions.
Then you should consider changing the seals yourself. Search for the tutorial, it's not that hard to do. One ride on them won't do a lot of damage, in fact, as long as you keep the fluid topped off you can ride it for quite some time with no damage, but please remember one moderately important detail. You said that it is the left leg (with the caliper) which means that you have an unrestrained lubricant in very close proximity to your front brake rotor. Brakes rely on friction, and lubricants are meant to reduce friction I could be wrong, but this could have an adverse effect on your ability to stop.
Then you should consider changing the seals yourself. Search for the tutorial, it's not that hard to do. One ride on them won't do a lot of damage, in fact, as long as you keep the fluid topped off you can ride it for quite some time with no damage, but please remember one moderately important detail. You said that it is the left leg (with the caliper) which means that you have an unrestrained lubricant in very close proximity to your front brake rotor. Brakes rely on friction, and lubricants are meant to reduce friction I could be wrong, but this could have an adverse effect on your ability to stop.
stumanarama
Member
- Aug 29, 2007
- 306
- 0
do a search for it in these forums, there was a thread explaing how to do the whole process less than a month ago, for all four seals(dust, and main)x2 forklegs, it will be about 40 dollars, you only need one specialty tool and that is a seal driver, although it is not cheap, if you plan to ride for years to come it will be well worth it. also, an extra set of hands while doing the procedure would be desired. its a half hour to 45 minute operation and is more than do-able for the average joe
If it's hard dirt that got in the seal and caused it to fail then riding is not a good idea. The dirt will scuff the fork leg and it will need to be polished or it will leak again with a new seal.
Just something to consider...
The work is easy as stated above. If your not sure about the cause don't ride.
Just something to consider...
The work is easy as stated above. If your not sure about the cause don't ride.
- Thread starter
- #8
I built some confidence!
Well guys after a LOT of searching around for tutorials.I've decided to do it my self...It doesn't look that hard,I just have to be patient and read the manual carefully.I went to youtube and found a really helpful fork seal tutorial video.This is just part one there is 3 videos but this gives you an idea.Thanks for the info and Im going to wait until I get my manual so I can get the fork oil info and all that other stuff.Im hoping to get some fork springs set up for my weight also,It would be essential seeing that I would already have the fork's apart.I just have to get the proper tools.Let me no if there is any homemade tools that would fill in for the seal driver! :cool: <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W2G-b66F3es&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W2G-b66F3es&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
Well guys after a LOT of searching around for tutorials.I've decided to do it my self...It doesn't look that hard,I just have to be patient and read the manual carefully.I went to youtube and found a really helpful fork seal tutorial video.This is just part one there is 3 videos but this gives you an idea.Thanks for the info and Im going to wait until I get my manual so I can get the fork oil info and all that other stuff.Im hoping to get some fork springs set up for my weight also,It would be essential seeing that I would already have the fork's apart.I just have to get the proper tools.Let me no if there is any homemade tools that would fill in for the seal driver! :cool: <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W2G-b66F3es&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W2G-b66F3es&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
stumanarama
Member
- Aug 29, 2007
- 306
- 0
http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?t=160959&highlight=fork+seals, the link that indy posted shows how to make a seal driver out of pvc, just remember that you dont need to take apart the cartridge to change the seals
- Thread starter
- #10
That would take longer to make the pvc driver than it would to do the fork rebuild...lol.But it is a good idea.There is one method when a guy cut half of the old fork seal off and used it as a seal driver???would this work pretty good?Please tell me what to look out for when im doing this (seal replacement)....
Ol'89r
LIFETIME SPONSOR
- Jan 27, 2000
- 6,958
- 45
IndyMX said:
I second that. :cool: The pvc seal drivers work very well. :nod:
Another thing you can try is to take a strip of 35mm film or a thin feeler gauge with rounded edges and place it between the seal and fork leg. Run the strip around the inside of the seal being careful not to nick the seal. If there is dirt lodged in the seal it will remove the dirt and the seal may work again.
The softness in your forks is most likely a lack of oil or not the proper weight oil or both. When you get your manual it will show you the proper way to drain and refill your forks and will give you the correct weight.
If taking the forks apart doesn't scare you and you don't want to replace the seals you can tear them down, clean the seals, wipe a thin layer of vaseline on the seals and put it back together. There's a slim chance that this will solve your problems. However, if I had the time to do all of that it would only take three more minutes to replace the seals while you have the forks apart.
I tried making a PVC seal saver and it didn't work so hot. I think you need a little mass behind it. I bought a seal saver for $40 and it is worth its weight in gold. Much better than taking the time to go buy 10 feet of PVC and trying to rig it (just my opinion). If you rarely change seals then I guess the PVC works OK. By the way I found a good tutorial that shows how to change the seals on KYB cartridge type forks (most Yamahas and Kawasakis).
Change motorcycle fork seals part 1 (of 2) cartridge type
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y43k1qFVGW4
Change motorcycle fork seals part 1 (of 2) cartridge type
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y43k1qFVGW4
Change motorcycle fork seals part 1 (of 2) cartridge type
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y43k1qFVGW4
Change motorcycle fork seals part 1 (of 2) cartridge type
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y43k1qFVGW4
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