Leaking fork seal question

[EOD MOE]

I just returned from a trip to New Orleans (had an awsome time!) But noticed I have some minor leakage on my left front fork. How long can I continue driving with it like this? I will order the parts and have a go at putting in new seals, but I am on my way to Minnesota shortly and would prefer to do the repair when I get back. Can I get by with putting another 3000 miles on it? Or is this something that needs to be fixed prior to leaving? Any comments or advice from anyone who has experienced bad fork seals will be greatly appreciated.  Moe

[Valker]

My right side seal started leaking about 11,000 miles ago......It's a mess, but I just haven't gotten to change it yet. (I know, it looks bad, but that is nothing new on my bikes)

[Steve K (IA)]

I would think you will be Ok unless it is a really big leak.  If it is just seeping a little, it should be alright.  I would look at  it at every gas stop and wipe any oil off before it gets a chance to blow back on the caliper or engine.  I went 2 years and am just changing my seals at this moment.  You might try the 35mm film negative trick.  Use a 35mm negative and slip it up between the fork tube and the dust seal and move it around the fork tube.  You might be able to get a piece of dirt or whatever is making that seal leak out of there.

[Raverez]

Would that trick work if you use a very thin feeler gauge?
 

[Ricky-D]

That oil is just the excess that slops over the top of the inside tube in your shock.

There would be no damage to the shock if you never fixed it and all the oil that would leak from there will never affect the operation of the shock itself.  It may over time allow the oil to get low where the damper may stop working properly, but that is a small difference if at all noticeable.

Myself, I have finally stopped leaking from there and all my stuff is now free from that oil spray.
Haven't even tried to deal with it. Don't intend to either.
Shocks work fine.

Sometimes we worry over the most fundamental things that still keep working fine.

[Steve K (IA)]

Maybe, but with the negative, I think the idea is that if there is a piece of bug or dirt, those little squares that run down the side will help pull out any debris that may be in there.  Sure wouldn't hurt to try the feeler gauge if you don't have an old negative you can sacrifice.

[N8171S]

I would fix it because oil gets on the brake pads.  A rag wrapped around the fork, and changed every so often will stop the oil from getting on the brakes.

[Gryphon Rider]

I agree with N8171S.  The biggest hazard with delaying the repair is fork oil contaminating the brake pads.  Do what you need to to prevent this from happening.