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Message started by franch on 04/22/07 at 19:26:09

Title: fork seal leak
Post by franch on 04/22/07 at 19:26:09

after reading the clymers & past posts on this job I've got concerns.
what weight fork oil/ATF is good for a bike with almost 30 k on her.
The clymers mentions a special tool to properly seat the new fork seals, is this tool a necessity ?
I found a technician who quoted me 2 hours labor if I brought him the forks off the bike, does this sound about right ?
The left seal just began leaking and i probably lost 1-2 ounces in 100 miles.
can i eek out another 200 miles before i replace the seals without damaging the fork ?

Title: Re: fork seal leak
Post by WD on 04/22/07 at 23:14:33

Mine has been on the road for 8 years with leaking seals. I went to change them today, and found them to be rusted in place. The retainer rings are so rotten that they lost any spring tension.

I refilled the tubes, added fork gaiters to minimize the mess, and said good enough. In total, in 8 years, the forks lost MAYBE an ounce of oil, maybe.

The upper seal is NOT a 2 hour remove and replace. Once the forks are dropped and the dust caps and retainer rings pulled, it takes 10 minutes. IF they will come out. Pulling the forks takes 10-15 minutes, installing them takes 15-30. Depends on whether you pull the fender and wheel (I don't, just the caliper). Push the seal in with a piece of pipe.

If you use fork oil, the book says 15 weight. I prefer 20 weight, but used high mileage Mercon-spec ATF, Wal-mart brand. Same stuff I use in the fuel (rust inhibitor and slide lube). Motor oil works just as well (15W40 is spot on).
-WD

If you take it to the dealer, make sure you get kissed after you get screwed..

Title: Re: fork seal leak
Post by grim on 04/23/07 at 00:09:25

WD is pretty much right. The times for service will be longer for your first time, but you should definitely do it yourself. Forks are easy. Take your time, take pictures as you remove and disassemble. I thought working on my own bike was crazy...but actually, it is very easy (with the tools) and you learn everything....Plus you can ask questions here...

Title: Re: fork seal leak
Post by justin_o_guy on 04/23/07 at 05:39:26

If you take it to the dealer, make sure you get kissed after you get screwed..

I think you should get your kiss before you leave it with them, they just might screw ya outta the kiss if you wait till theyre finished with ya.. sure wouldnt wanna miss That, now would ya?

Title: Re: fork seal leak
Post by tuxedo on 04/23/07 at 07:30:01

Make them at least take you to a movie.

And fork oil really works great as a lubricant when you're getting screwed for 2 hours at 60 bux an hour plus parts.

The Honda dealer that loans bikes to the MSF class in my hometown attended the class. He said that he sees a lot of blown fork seals and we should all bring ours in to have them checked out. I asked him how much labor they charged for seals. 2.5 hours at 60 an hour. I asked why his wrenches were so slow at a job that would take a kid with two crescent wrenches and a mallet an hour and fifteen minutes to do.

His answer wasn't too great, and I'm pretty sure I convinced everyone in my class who didn't ride a Harley to go and buy their bike's manual. Even some of the older women were asking if basic repairs were really easy. One woman, after I described shock replacement, said "that's easier than replacing a toilet assembly, and I can do that better than my husband."

Don't let the man get you down, they just want you to stay there and fake an orgasm while they use you like a love doll.

This reminds me, I need to do fork seals sometime in the next 3 years, since they're a little leaky right now.

Title: Re: fork seal leak
Post by franch on 04/23/07 at 09:37:44

so, I'm thinking you guys rrecommend i do it myself.
i am ok with that but i wonder about how to seat the seal. i dont want to mash the seal or scratch the fork tube so i am looking for the correct size piece of PVC pipe.
what have others here used to improvise ?
don't want to buy the "special" tool.

Title: Re: fork seal leak
Post by WD on 04/27/07 at 21:06:49

Buy a new seal set. You should only need uppers. Take a seal to the hardware store and match the inner and outer diameters to a piece of pipe. Close to the same diameters is good enough.

I have a spare set of seals. $10 plus shipping in the continental USA.
-WD

Title: Re: fork seal leak
Post by franch on 04/28/07 at 04:36:31

Thanks,
I already got the oil seals and found a piece of 1.5 inch schedule 40 pvc (white) that will work perfectly.
home depot had precut 2 foot sections for $1.79

I wish I bought the seals from you though. the steeler charged me $27.