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Message started by Tocsik on 06/26/25 at 15:36:20

Title: Fork oil color?
Post by Tocsik on 06/26/25 at 15:36:20

What color would fork oil be if I know it hasn't been changed in 10+ years? Brownish?

Trying to sort out a new leak I found under the front left, just under the fork tube. It's clear, so my first thought was brake fluid. But I can't find a leak at the caliper or running down the brake line. I've had a problematic fork seal off and on, so that makes the most sense, but is fork oil clear?

I know it should be easy to see where a leak is coming from, but it just isn't this time!

Too much going on to devote any time to working on the bike, so this could really hurt my riding time.

Title: Re: Fork oil color?
Post by Axman88 on 06/27/25 at 12:12:08

I've seen it come out cloudy and chocolate brown, and go in very close to clear, so, anywhere between those two.

But, I understand that some makers dye their fork oils, and some folks use ATF or hydraulic oil, so I'd say there could be a very wide range in starting appearance, as well as ending.

Maybe smell would be a more reliable test, but, again one needs to know what the starting point smelled like.

There's also viscosity.

There's also taste. This reminds me of that that Cheech and Chong recorded skit involving the unidentified substance that looked like dog poop.

If you are talking about a LS650, I'd say we can rule out coolant, at least.

Leaks of most fluids lead to lowered levels in whatever reservoir is provided, so that's another clue.

And, in my experience, when a fork loses enough fluid, the front end starts diving and bottoming out, so there's that.

Title: Re: Fork oil color?
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 06/27/25 at 12:26:11

Old fork oil will be gray. You'll see it running down for forks before you'll see it on the ground.

If your brakes were leaking, you'd have a spongy lever.

Could it be the grease from the steering head bearing failing (the grease...not the bearing...but if you don't address the grease, it will be the bearing)?

Title: Re: Fork oil color?
Post by Dave on 06/28/25 at 03:28:48

Sometimes the fork oil leaks out the screws embedded in the bottom of the forks - the bolts that hold the damping tubes in place. The screws have a copper washer to provide a seal.

If this area is leaking the only place the oil will show is at the very bottom of the forks.

Title: Re: Fork oil color?
Post by Tocsik on 07/01/25 at 19:08:34

Thank you all for chiming in. I took her for a long ride last weekend up in the hills and it seemed fine. Had just a drop on the ground in the same area after that, and nothing so far. Odd.

I will say the bike sat in a very hot garage for a couple weeks on the side stand. Maybe the fork oil heated enough to escape the seal and a bit seeped downward?

Still not sure. It's been parked in the same spot for about 8 days (sorry, bike!) and not new leak. A mystery. Wrapped in an enema.