It figures... another fork seal gone.

[Jeff K]

I am supposed to leave on vacation on Friday, and just noticed my right fork seal is leaking... again. I just put these seals in so I don't have any in stock. Now I have to find a set quick. And I have to see if I can find a fork tube to replace the offending one. It has too many nicks to hold a seal I guess. I had them chromed so I am going to have to replace the tube only..
 

[3fan4life]

Hey Jeff,

Here is a set of OEM's on E Bay with expedited shipping for less than $3 extra:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Factory-Honda-Valkyrie-1500-Fork-Seal-Set-1997-2003-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3f0c1da4b4QQitemZ270786208948QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Pinwall has several forks for sale as well.

BTW: I don't know which side that you need but I do know that internally the two sides are different.

[Jeff K]

Hey Jeff,

Here is a set of OEM's on E Bay with expedited shipping for less than $3 extra:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Factory-Honda-Valkyrie-1500-Fork-Seal-Set-1997-2003-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3f0c1da4b4QQitemZ270786208948QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Pinwall has several forks for sale as well.

BTW: I don't know which side that you need but I do know that internally the two sides are different.

Expedited shipping, delivery in 5-6 days?

I have several sets of forks, some were damaged, I found one tube that is the correct side. I'll have to chuck it up in the lathe and see how straight it is. My uppers and lowers are chromed so I only want to replace the tube.
I looked for any visible damage to the fork tube on the bike and I do see some pits but they are way down on the bottom of the tube.
But this is probably the 3rd seal on that side. It's getting old.

[Fudd]

I'm under the impression that seals should last at least 10 yrs or 50 to 70k miles.

I don't want to second guess here, but you aren't over filling the oil are you?  Are the seals failing in the middle of their thickness or on the inside wiper edge?


This seal failed in the middle, meaning it wasn't caused by pitting on the fork.  Closer inspection looks like the seal had just dry rotted.  That shouldn't be the case for you, since you recently changed yours.  I'm very courious as to what caused your failure.

[Jeff K]

I'm under the impression that seals should last at least 10 yrs or 50 to 70k miles.

I don't want to second guess here, but you aren't over filling the oil are you?  Are the seals failing in the middle of their thickness or on the inside wiper edge?


This seal failed in the middle, meaning it wasn't caused by pitting on the fork.  Closer inspection looks like the seal had just dry rotted.  That shouldn't be the case for you, since you recently changed yours.  I'm very courious as to what caused your failure.

There is no visual defect on the seal. It looks new. The fork tube has scratches along it's length. Like it was scratching when it moved in and out, like dirt scratches. It has some dings that had corroded, I cleaned them up the last time I worked on them. I thought it would be ok. But it's the only reason I can see.

[Valker]

I apologize for the stupid question since I'm sure you know, but are you positive you are installing the seals right side up (easy to miss)?

[Jeff K]

I apologize for the stupid question since I'm sure you know, but are you positive you are installing the seals right side up (easy to miss)?

I am assuming I am. The left side never leaks.
But I'll take any suggestions. I put them in so the flat of the seal, the part that is shouldered, is on the outside of the fork.
They look damn near identical either way.
These are NOK seals. Are they better or worse than Honda, I don't know.

[Daniel Meyer]

Are you changing the bushings too? Worn bushings will let the seal leak. Also had a case where the wrong bushing was installed for one of them (the smaller bushing x 2) and that will leak as well.

[Jeff K]

Are you changing the bushings too? Worn bushings will let the seal leak. Also had a case where the wrong bushing was installed for one of them (the smaller bushing x 2) and that will leak as well.

Yes, I always replace the whole works.

[YoungPUP]

ALL BALLS seals!!! All The way.  Have used them on dirt bikes for years. Havent had one leak yet.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

No experience on how to get them apart but I was under the impression the tubes are the same left and right.

I don't know how to unscrew them from the bottom without damage though (if they do come apart).

[Valker]

I sent you an email pdf.

[Jeff K]

No experience on how to get them apart but I was under the impression the tubes are the same left and right.

I don't know how to unscrew them from the bottom without damage though (if they do come apart).

Left and right are different. The left tube is threaded at the top. The tubes come apart pretty easy. I  just heat the fork lower with a heat gun, or propane torch, and unscrew them. Sometimes they give a bit of resistance, but overall not too bad. I've already replaced the tube. The bad part is you can't just buy a tube. I happened to have one from a wrecked bike I bought years ago.

[Colin]

I sent you an email pdf.

Any chance of a copy I have mine to do this week? TIA.

[Jeff K]

I sent you an email pdf.

Any chance of a copy I have mine to do this week? TIA.

[Jeff K]

Crap! Can't find them anywhere locally.

[Daniel Meyer]

Interestingly, the one I just rebuilt is leaking. (leakproof brand)

Back to the drawing board...in a few thousand miles anyway.

[Dodis]

Just rebuilt my leaking right fork again... Finally (with a magnifying glass) was able to see several vertical scratches on the tube, even thought the seals still looked new and smooth. The scratches were hard to see since all the shine and glare was in the same direction.

So, after getting over the shock of the HDL price for a new tube, I remembered seeing something on the Generic Parts page, and there are links to a source for new tubes at half of HDL's price. Just sent my order in... 

Here are the links:
Right Tube-- http://www.fastfromthepast.com/servlet/the-1631/Honda-1500-F6C-1997/Detail
Left Tube-- http://www.fastfromthepast.com/servlet/the-1632/Honda-1500-F6C-1997/Detail

Now how to wait patiently for the 5-6 week special order delay! At least it's not the u-joint! 

And I need to give a review once done...

Mike "Dodis"

[Jeff K]

I had a spare, but I've been thinking about sending my old one out to be refurbished. I would think they could be replated and polished. Mine have similar scratches.

[RP#62]

The chrome on the tubes is fairly thick.  I've polished out scratches that I could catch my finger nail in and it didn't go through the chrome.   Worth a shot unless you've done it already.
-RP