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Art708
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« on: August 06, 2013, 05:18:25 AM » |
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I need to replace the seals in my front forks and don't have the tool needed for the left fork. Does anyone have one of these for sale? They are quite expensive from Honda.
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Art 2014 Kawasaki Concours 14 Black  |
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Joe Hummer
Member
Posts: 1645
VRCC #25677 VRCC Missouri State Representative
Arnold, MO
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« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2013, 05:25:05 AM » |
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Hey Art, Have you tried the film trick? I had a leaking seal after InZane and ran a piece of 35mm film under my seals and they are good now. I know this isn't going to fix all problems...or forever...but it stopped mine. Second...I received a link from F6Dave (look him up on the forum) for an easy change out of the seals where you don't need the fork tool. Here is the thread where Dave made the offer for the information: http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,57749.0.htmlJoe |
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
You pay for the whole bike, why not use it Jerry Motorman Palladino
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Art708
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« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2013, 05:42:14 AM » |
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Hey Art, Have you tried the film trick? I had a leaking seal after InZane and ran a piece of 35mm film under my seals and they are good now. I know this isn't going to fix all problems...or forever...but it stopped mine. Second...I received a link from F6Dave (look him up on the forum) for an easy change out of the seals where you don't need the fork tool. Here is the thread where Dave made the offer for the information: http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,57749.0.htmlJoe Thanks for the information , Joe! I sent Dave a PM and hope to hear from him soon. I have a Seal mate somewhere that I've never used...if I can find it. If I can't find it, my wife is a photographer so I can probably find a piece of 35mm film somewhere around the house. Thanks again.. |
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Art 2014 Kawasaki Concours 14 Black |
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Joe Hummer
Member
Posts: 1645
VRCC #25677 VRCC Missouri State Representative
Arnold, MO
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« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2013, 06:46:26 AM » |
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Make sure you pull down the dust seal before you run the film around. That way, you have better access to the seals. I used a couple of small screwdrivers to move it down. Work slowly and you won't damage the dust seal. Also, if you remove the front fender, you will get better access all the way around the seal. If you don't want to remove the fender, at least remove the guard attached to the fender.
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
You pay for the whole bike, why not use it Jerry Motorman Palladino
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Fudd
Member
Posts: 1733
MSF RiderCoach
Denham Springs, La.
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« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2013, 07:06:40 AM » |
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If you determine that you need to change the seals, it's not that hard to do. These videos give step-by-step instructions and everything you need to know to do the job correctly.
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 Save a horse, ride a Valkyrie |
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2013, 08:05:53 AM » |
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You don't need a special fork tool just to change the seals, as the springs don't need to come out. The only special tools you will require are a seal driver, which can be made from ABS (or is it PVC?) pipe, and one of the wrenches from the tool kit that came with the bike from Honda. You need this wrench because regular wrenches are too thick.
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Art708
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« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2013, 10:32:43 AM » |
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Thanks everyone for the info, tips, and links. I am hoping that the film will do it, but with my luck it won't.  |
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Art 2014 Kawasaki Concours 14 Black |
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Art708
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« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2013, 06:22:27 PM » |
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On this fork oil subject.... I rode my bike about 200 miles after I noticed the oil leak. There seems to not be much dampening in the front end now. My question is.... how can I add some oil to the leaking fork without removing it from the bike? I'm not sure if there's enough oil left in it to see if the film trick does the job. I might have to add oil to it first.
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Art 2014 Kawasaki Concours 14 Black |
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2013, 06:27:10 PM » |
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There's close to a quart of oil in that fork...unless you have oil all over you, the bike, your garage, etc...there's probably plenty!  |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer  |
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Art708
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« Reply #9 on: August 06, 2013, 06:29:58 PM » |
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thanks Daniel...but it sure felt like I'd lost the resistance....might have been my imagination. I'll see tomorrow what happens with the film.
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Art 2014 Kawasaki Concours 14 Black |
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Fudd
Member
Posts: 1733
MSF RiderCoach
Denham Springs, La.
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« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2013, 09:58:14 AM » |
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If I had a fork leak right now, unless it's a gusher, I'd ride it until the winter, personally. I don't consider minor fork leaks to be 9-1-1 emergencies. I went over 8k miles on a leaking fork and it still had PLENTY of oil left in it.
We are blessed with year round riding in Louisiana, but we do string together 3 or 4 'unpleasant' days in the winter that's good for doing nick-nack repairs.
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Save a horse, ride a Valkyrie |
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Art708
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« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2013, 11:21:25 AM » |
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If I had a fork leak right now, unless it's a gusher, I'd ride it until the winter, personally. I don't consider minor fork leaks to be 9-1-1 emergencies. I went over 8k miles on a leaking fork and it still had PLENTY of oil left in it.
We are blessed with year round riding in Louisiana, but we do string together 3 or 4 'unpleasant' days in the winter that's good for doing nick-nack repairs.
I found the Seal Mate that was hidden in my toolbox and worked on the seal a while today. It doesn't seem to be leaking at the moment but I am going to put 2 to 3 hundred miles on the bike on Friday. I left that chrome deflector off so I can see the slider and be able to tell better what it's doing. If it's still leaking then I'll order some seals,etc and work on it when I get the ambition. I would much rather ride than wrench. Oh yeah.... we ride year around here in SC also. |
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Art 2014 Kawasaki Concours 14 Black |
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Joe Hummer
Member
Posts: 1645
VRCC #25677 VRCC Missouri State Representative
Arnold, MO
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« Reply #12 on: August 07, 2013, 11:40:46 AM » |
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Hey Art,
My opinion...put the guard back in place. It is there for a reason...to keep bugs/dirt/junk from landing on the fork tube...and therefore out of your seals. Your 200 mile ride may just cause more problems. I would hate to have a new leak come up and you blame it on the same problem.
I took a paper shop towel, folded it in thirds, and wrapped it around my tube. I took a piece of duct tape long enough to wrap around the tube and wrapped the tape around the towel. That way, you have a catch for any oil that comes out. You will still be able to see if the tube is wet above the towel.
Hope this does it for you.
Joe
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
You pay for the whole bike, why not use it Jerry Motorman Palladino
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Art708
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« Reply #13 on: August 07, 2013, 12:29:18 PM » |
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I will think about that Joe. I was wondering if I should leave it off, then I remembered that one of the Valks I bought didn't have them on it and it had no leaks. So I might put it on....or not....probably will. But thanks anyway..... I appreciate the input.
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Art 2014 Kawasaki Concours 14 Black |
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #14 on: August 07, 2013, 02:27:30 PM » |
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Yeah, one rock pinging off the exposed tube and it's done...
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer |
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Art708
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« Reply #15 on: August 07, 2013, 06:55:31 PM » |
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Ok, y'all convinced me...... it goes back on tomorrow. |
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Art 2014 Kawasaki Concours 14 Black |
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Art708
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« Reply #16 on: August 08, 2013, 07:09:07 PM » |
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Ok I have that chrome guard back on for the ride tomorrow. I have one more question if you please. If tomorrow's ride shows me that the leak is gone, and if I have a lot of bouncing like the oil is low....is there any way to add oil without having to take the whole fork apart? Can the top be unscrewed and the oil level checked and oil be added if needed?
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Art 2014 Kawasaki Concours 14 Black |
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #17 on: August 08, 2013, 09:16:14 PM » |
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Ok I have that chrome guard back on for the ride tomorrow. I have one more question if you please. If tomorrow's ride shows me that the leak is gone, and if I have a lot of bouncing like the oil is low....is there any way to add oil without having to take the whole fork apart? Can the top be unscrewed and the oil level checked and oil be added if needed?
I suppose you could loosen the top clamps and then the caps to add oil, but how would you know how much to add? Fork oil level is measured with the springs out, so there is no easy way to check the level. The only other way to know if you have the right amount of oil is to remove the forks and thoroughly drain them, then use a graduated cylinder to add the correct amount of new oil. |
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Art708
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« Reply #18 on: August 09, 2013, 03:20:41 AM » |
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I suppose you could loosen the top clamps and then the caps to add oil, but how would you know how much to add? Fork oil level is measured with the springs out, so there is no easy way to check the level. The only other way to know if you have the right amount of oil is to remove the forks and thoroughly drain them, then use a graduated cylinder to add the correct amount of new oil.
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This is true, but I'm sure the fork doesn't have the exact measured amount in it now due to the leakage. I guess I'll just have to see how the front end feels today. Hell, it may still be leaking , then I'll have no choice but to remove it and replace the seal. Guess I'll just shut up and see how it goes today. Thanks...
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Art 2014 Kawasaki Concours 14 Black |
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Art708
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« Reply #19 on: August 09, 2013, 11:19:19 AM » |
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Update: Either A: I fixed the oil seal leak ... or
B. There's no oil left to leak
Rode 250 miles today and the fork tube is completely dry. But I think by the way some bumps feel that it is low on oil. I might have to take it off and dump and refill it...... sigh.
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Art 2014 Kawasaki Concours 14 Black |
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #20 on: August 09, 2013, 01:45:33 PM » |
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Update: Either A: I fixed the oil seal leak ... or
B. There's no oil left to leak
Rode 250 miles today and the fork tube is completely dry. But I think by the way some bumps feel that it is low on oil. I might have to take it off and dump and refill it...... sigh.
See Daniel Meyer's reply #8 above. |
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mmurffy03
Member
Posts: 791
03 standard
toms river new jersey
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« Reply #21 on: August 09, 2013, 02:47:10 PM » |
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #22 on: August 09, 2013, 08:17:25 PM » |
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Need to do what? It looks like you need a special tool to turn this special tool. |
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tank_post142
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« Reply #23 on: August 10, 2013, 01:14:40 PM » |
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thats actually the nut that you need the socket to remove.
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I got a rock  VRCCDS0246  |
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