Pressurized Left Fork Tube

[Rio Wil]

Over the past 50K or so, I have had a slight seal leak on the left fork tube. Cleaning with a seal mate fixed it right up and good for another 20K or so.  Today I noticed a considerably greater leakage and decided to do the seal trick again. Upon inserting the cleaner, I got a lot more leakage than I have ever seen before.....over a period of running the cleaner around the tube maybe 2-3 times, there must have been a tablespoon of oil leaking......way more than ever before. Continuing, I got the seal cleaner a bit cocked under the seal and suddenly I hear a little "hiss"......like pressurized air... Wiggled the cleaner a bit more and the hiss continued for some 4-5 seconds and finally bled off.  Also, the unusually large leakage stopped ........ ??? ???

So, I am puzzled as to how the tube got pressurized, will it do it again, I will be on the bike again tomorrow for a short 80 mile coffee run so will have some idea after that..........

These are stock tubes and springs with 200K+ on the clock.....I had planned on rebuilding the tubes as a part of my 200K maintenance ......but this is puzzling?

[Dusty]

You will get air pressure in your fork tube. Air is compressed as the fork tube compresses after assembly. Nothing to worry about  in my opinion.

Dusty

[98valk]

I've posting this for the few months
http://www.rswracing.com/airout.htm
 
searching it seams inverted forks have an inherent problem with air pressure buildup.
I used the extend the fork trick by moving the bike rear ward and then applying the front brake. this recently stopped my right fork leak.