Front Fork oil leakage

[MoeAce]

I have a slow oil leakage from the left front fork and I know it is a matter of time before it gets progressively worse. I need to know if this is a costly work to repair and approximately how much. I am not mechanically adept and will rely on a qualified mechanic to do the job. Any advice would help.
Many thanks.
 

[Bone]

Have you read about the film trick ?

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,46588.0.html

[Valkorado]

SealMate. www.sealmate.com

[Jess from VA]

I did the film negative trick before, but it came back after 18 months.

Used the new Seal Mate yesterday, the right way, taking off the fork guards and lowering the dust seals.  The fork guard nuts inside the fender are tricky to get to (done only by feel); you use a 1/4" stubby handle 10 mm socket to reach the lower 6mm flange nut, and a 10mm ratcheting box wrench on the top one.  The nuts are not parallel to the fork, they are crooked and tricky to get a tool and your fingers on (and mine were pretty corroded, cleaned up and plenty of antiseize applied).  

On both sides, the top nut fell into a pocket in the inside fender mounting bracketry and was hard to poke out of there.  Working the sealmate around the fork seal causes new oil to flow and had to be cleaned up as I went or the seal mate was too slippery to continue moving.  Also, trying to bounce the forks, after cleaning, was difficult.  I cannot stand beside the bike and get any bounce out of the forks... had to mount the bike, stand on the boards and bounce hard enough to dance the kickstand around.  Did that and wiped more oil off until no more flowed on each side (4-5 times).  Then went for a ride, and had more oil at the first stop (and cleaned), but thereafter had no oil of any kind.  Need a few hundred more miles to see if I have problems that the seal mate cannot fix (like a torn/damaged seal).  

If you find you must rebuild the forks, get every wear part in the forks for a proper rebuild, not just the lower seals.  I have a bag of them when I need them, about $120 or so.  If (when) they do need rebuilt entirely, I will pull the forks off myself and take them to somebody who knows what they are doing. Labor for the whole job at a dealer may be around $600, my guy will rebuild the forks I bring him for $100.

Do like the video in the website. (Believe me, the valk is not as easy as the brand new dirt bike in the video)  This is a $3 part with $5 shipping that every valk owner should buy and have on hand (and maybe keep in the tool kit).  It does not fold up and self destruct like a piece of film negative does, repeatedly.

http://sealmate.net/

[F6MoRider]

Be aware there is a specific fork tool needed if you choose to go the seal replacement route.  If you use a Honda mechanic who is working on his own ( certified but not working out of a Honda shop ), s/he may not have that special tool and will charge you extra for him to purchase it ...  you can buy the seals/oil and just get a labor quote from such a mechanic.  You can find one advertising their skills via the normal channels and ask for references. 

You may also have a Valk rider near you who has done it and can assist you as you learn?  Post in your local board and ask for assistance.

[Michvalk]

I pulled my own forks, and hauled them to the dealer for the rebuild. The labor , at that time, was about 130.00 plus parts. This has been several years ago, and am pretty sure shop rates have gone up. Just stop in to the dealer you are gonna use, and ask

[The emperor has no clothes]

Both of my forks were leaking, one pretty bad. Did the film trick, had to go around 3 or 4 times but they are leak free now. Instead of removing the fork guards I removed the entire fender and make sure to remove the dust seals.

[Raverez]

when my right fork was leaking I removed them off the Valk and had a local shop replace the seals. Cost about $80.