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Black Sled
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« on: June 29, 2013, 12:53:23 PM » |
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I noticed last night that I have an oil drip off the end of the right fork. It is dripping onto the front tire - probably about 1/2 to 1 oz so far. Appears to be coming from the end of the fork tube. Anybody seen this before? Please tell me there is an easy fix for this!
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Black 2000 Valk Tourer (my black sled)
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pancho
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« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2013, 01:03:37 PM » |
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Your fork tube seal appears to be leaking..... do a search on the board,, there are methods to fix it that are very easy and not too involved,, works most of the time.
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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sandy
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« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2013, 02:29:58 PM » |
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If the fork seal is bad, you'll see a trail of oil from the seal down. If the fork is clean, it's the bolt under the axle that holds the dampener rod to the bottom of the fork lower (inside the fork).
To fix, remove the wheel and use a long allen wrench to reach up and tighten the bejesus out of it. If that doesn't work, rebuild the fork and order a new crush washer for that bolt.
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Rio Wil
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« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2013, 05:38:14 PM » |
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If it is the fork seal, you might just have a bit of crud under the seal and can be cleaned out with a piece of 35 mm film (or equivalent). Keep in mind the seal you see is just the dust seal and the one that counts is about a half inch up inside the tube.
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salty1
Member
Posts: 2359
"Flyka"
Spokane, WA or Tucson, AZ
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« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2013, 05:45:49 PM » |
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Rio Wil check this out: http://sealmate.net/Also if you tighten the bolt above the axle too much, you'll snap it off. |
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My rides: 1998 GL1500C, 2000 GL 1500CF,2006 GL 1800 3A   |
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Black Sled
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« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2013, 06:27:56 PM » |
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The fork is clean, which is what is so weird. I have had this bike for 6 years and this suddenly starts for no apparent reason - strange....
I will try what Sandy suggests and pull the wheel to tighten the bottom allen bolt. I will report back my results when done.
Thanks for the helpful tips.
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Black 2000 Valk Tourer (my black sled)
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Rio Wil
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« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2013, 09:22:37 PM » |
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I thought there was a commercial version of the tool available..With 35 mm film going away....probably ought to buy one of these with the little hook already cut in it....
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sandy
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« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2013, 09:24:59 PM » |
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I thought there was a commercial version of the tool available..With 35 mm film going away....probably ought to buy one of these with the little hook already cut in it....
That tool is called a Seal Mate. Try Amazon or BikeBandit. |
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0leman
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« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2013, 09:10:01 AM » |
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The "Film Trick" doesn't work all the time. I had a very slow leak on the left fork. Tried the film, then went for a very enjoyable 300 mile ride. By the time I got home, the very slow leak was dripping a lot. Still waiting for the new seals.
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2006 Shadow Spirit 1100 gone but not forgotten
1999 Valkryie I/S Green/Silver
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BonS
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« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2013, 09:19:27 AM » |
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I've never tried the "film trick" but have used the Seal Mate successfully several times. Actually 100% success so far (YMMV). The Seal Mate has a curved-hook like design for drawing contaminants down-and-out as it is slid around the seal. Plus it's probably easier to hang on to than film as it gets covered with fork oil when used. I coax the Seal Mate around the seal three or four times before cleaning up and checking the outcome. So far, so good.
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Valker
Member
Posts: 3018
Wahoo!!!!
Texas Panhandle
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« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2013, 09:21:29 AM » |
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There is a hex head bolt inside that right fork leg which is only accessible with the front axle removed. There is a hole in the very bottom under the axle that allows access for a long Allen wrench to go up into the bolt. If the fork leg is clean, that bolt has probably loosened.
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I ride a motorcycle because nothing transports me as quickly from where I am to who I am.
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olddog1946
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« Reply #11 on: June 30, 2013, 03:39:57 PM » |
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My guess would be the bolt is loose.............however, make damn sure you check your brake lines. I had one of the front brake lines leaking on my Wing and on the BMW. One was a split line and the other was from a previous replacement of the forkt seals by the PO and the line wasn't tight.
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VRCC # 32473
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Moses Lake, Wa. 509-760-6382 if you need help
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Black Sled
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« Reply #12 on: July 14, 2013, 07:38:55 PM » |
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Well I got this sorted out - it was indeed a fork seal leak but a real slow one. I was able to fix it with a Seal Mate. Sure is easier than removing and breaking down the fork! The only drawback is that the right fork tube now has an ounce or two less oil than the left one. Hopefully that won't lead to any handling issues.
Thanks again for the helpful tips.
-Ken
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Black 2000 Valk Tourer (my black sled)
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #13 on: July 14, 2013, 08:06:00 PM » |
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Well I got this sorted out - it was indeed a fork seal leak but a real slow one. I was able to fix it with a Seal Mate. Sure is easier than removing and breaking down the fork! The only drawback is that the right fork tube now has an ounce or two less oil than the left one. Hopefully that won't lead to any handling issues.
Thanks again for the helpful tips.
-Ken
Won't cause an issue...there's darn near a quart of oil in that fork. When enough has leaked out to completely cover the wheels and the entire right side of the bike you STILL won't have handling issues.   |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer  |
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Black Sled
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« Reply #14 on: July 15, 2013, 06:23:34 PM » |
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Well I got this sorted out - it was indeed a fork seal leak but a real slow one. I was able to fix it with a Seal Mate. Sure is easier than removing and breaking down the fork! The only drawback is that the right fork tube now has an ounce or two less oil than the left one. Hopefully that won't lead to any handling issues.
Thanks again for the helpful tips.
-Ken
Won't cause an issue...there's darn near a quart of oil in that fork. When enough has leaked out to completely cover the wheels and the entire right side of the bike you STILL won't have handling issues. It's true that a picture is worth 1,000 words - point made! |
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Black 2000 Valk Tourer (my black sled)
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salty1
Member
Posts: 2359
"Flyka"
Spokane, WA or Tucson, AZ
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« Reply #15 on: July 16, 2013, 04:26:28 PM » |
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Well I got this sorted out - it was indeed a fork seal leak but a real slow one. I was able to fix it with a Seal Mate. Sure is easier than removing and breaking down the fork! The only drawback is that the right fork tube now has an ounce or two less oil than the left one. Hopefully that won't lead to any handling issues.
Thanks again for the helpful tips.
-Ken
Won't cause an issue...there's darn near a quart of oil in that fork. When enough has leaked out to completely cover the wheels and the entire right side of the bike you STILL won't have handling issues. What a mess! No doubt what the problem was there. |
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My rides: 1998 GL1500C, 2000 GL 1500CF,2006 GL 1800 3A |
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spurliner
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« Reply #16 on: July 16, 2013, 06:28:10 PM » |
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What color is the oil
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1999 Interstate--
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