fork seals - how often do you replace?

[pago cruiser]

Have not been on the Forum for awhile; work just continues to suck the oxygen out of my life...

At any rate, my 2000 Valk goes through fork seals at least 2X a year. The bike has been down for months because I can't get a fricken weekend off to work on it... 

Our long 3 mile washboard driveway does not help - but the 2014 Valk has been on commuter duty (100 miles round trip a day)  for the last couple months, and it seems to handle the road much better - nary an oil seal weep yet.

I have Progressive HD springs, been using 10 WT Belray, factory height, don't remember the sag, but I set it as per Progressives install notes.

Thinking of adding less fork oil - maybe 1/2" or so.  I am assuming the constant washboard just builds up pressure until they let go?  Also thinking of trying to find some fork gators - not easy on USD forks.

Anybody been down this road?  Any other thoughts? 

[Gryphon Rider]

I have 135,000 on mine since new in 2001, and I've done the seals once.  I think you'd save a lot of grief if you used a tool like the Seal Doctor or Seal mate.  You lower the dust seal, then insert the tool between the shaft and the oil seal and use it to pull out whatever dirt has accumulated which interferes with a proper seal.

My left fork seal is leaking currently, and I plan on making a similar tool out of a plastic 500 mL water bottle.  If it works, great; if not, I haven't lost anything except 30 minutes of effort and the 10¢ deposit on the bottle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RXBcN8TZBA

[Daniel Meyer]

I thrash mine ruthlessly.  They hold up well for at least 3 years or 50,000 miles (quarter million miles on that bike). I'd suggest something's wrong with the parts, fork tubes, or installation methods if you need 2 sets a year. The washboard isn't relevant...though if you're getting splattered with a lot of mud/tar/stones/etc there could be an issue there.

OEM parts? You doing the work?

[F6Dave]

Several years ago I owned a Kawasaki Concours. One of the fork seals began developing leaks regularly. After replacing the seal a few times I took a close look and found a pretty good ding in the fork tube. A rock must have hit it really hard because it had a sharp edged ridge that protruded slightly. I smoothed it off with some 400 grit sandpaper. After that I didn't need to replace the seal again.

Admittedly this is unlikely on a Valkyrie with those nice shields protecting the fork tubes, but it wouldn't hurt to carefully inspect all the parts.

[Chrisj CMA]

I had to have mine replaced a couple years into owning the bike. That was 15 years ago. Still looks good

[98valk]

Have not been on the Forum for awhile; work just continues to suck the oxygen out of my life...

At any rate, my 2000 Valk goes through fork seals at least 2X a year. The bike has been down for months because I can't get a fricken weekend off to work on it... 

Our long 3 mile washboard driveway does not help - but the 2014 Valk has been on commuter duty (100 miles round trip a day)  for the last couple months, and it seems to handle the road much better - nary an oil seal weep yet.

I have Progressive HD springs, been using 10 WT Belray, factory height, don't remember the sag, but I set it as per Progressives install notes.

Thinking of adding less fork oil - maybe 1/2" or so.  I am assuming the constant washboard just builds up pressure until they let go?  Also thinking of trying to find some fork gators - not easy on USD forks.

Anybody been down this road?  Any other thoughts? 

https://sealsavers.com/product/zip-on-sealsavers-street/

[Bighead]

Replaced mine once in a 120k.

[3W-lonerider]

if your using all balls seals. i can understand having to replace them so often.
i installed all balls the last time i did my forks and the left side started leaking 3 days after i did it.
i also removed about 2 oz. of oil in each fork to get rid of some of the harshness.

[longrider]

I just replaced the left side last week.  One thing I did notice is I had a small amount of play in the fork.  I carry a LOT of spare parts and this time I installed bushings as well even though the bike has only 38K on it.  I believe it tightened the fork a bit and may help with the seal

[3W-lonerider]

I replace the bushings everytime. I didn't have to rebuild my forks the first time till it had over 100,000 miles on it. Guaranteed I'll be going back to honda oem when i do it again this winter.

[pago cruiser]

Thanks guys.
Again, this might be more dirt use than most folks see. I commute about 25000 miles/year, of which 1500 miles is on our crappy dirt road.

The road is hard on everything;
I have had to repair the VX1800 front fender on each Legacy Valk I own.  It cracks in the center front, and unless reinforced the crack keeps propagating. I now keep a primered spare in the shop.

Same with the handlebar fairing mounts. Ground up ABS and "special glue", with matting reinforcement. Each bike.  2X now on the solo.

OK - back to the fork seal whining...    

Factory Honda parts - I switched back to Honda parts maybe 3 years ago, thinking it could be making the difference.

I usually do the work myself - even have that $50 tool... although last time I took it to a trustworthy Indy shop and the Mech and I did it together - figured I was balling something up: nope.   

Tubes are in great shape - that was the first thing the Mech checked.

Back through my logs, it has been 4 years since I changed bushings; did it again this time (yesterday). The inners needed it, outers were ok.

It is not just one leg.  This time, the left leg went first, then the right.  Last time it was the opposite.

Still use the chrome shields - although they are from the VX1800, due to the fender change; almost identical in function and appearance.

The comments about the Seal Dr. (or clone) are great - guess I'll try this next.  If history is any indication, they should start leaking again about end of September...

I did some googling, and apparently no one has found a way to use Gators with USD forks.  Did find some "Seal Savers" for USD forks. Might pick up a pair.

Looks like a great way to wear off the chrome on the forks over several thousand miles...
https://sealsavers.com/product/sealsavers-zip-on/



My frustration on this is (currently) only exceeded by my just replaced rear tire (picked up a nail at about 2000 miles on new E3), ALSO picking up a nail the third day after being replaced...

Pull the front wheel, pull the forks, pull the saddlebags, drop the mufflers, pull the rear wheel...crimeny, may as well pull the tank and go thru the carbs while I am at it...

 

[98valk]

they have different length ones avail.  basically they are secured both ends with zip-ties and the cover flexes with fork movement.