Uh Oh! Front fork leak!

[RonHolly]

Yesterday morning I went outside and saw some yellow stuff puddled on the front tire rim.  I assumed my male dog had peeded (marked) on it!  I called him over and scolded him for doing it.  He looked up at me as if to say "I'm sorry."  Later that afternoon I saw another puddle on the rim and used my finger to smell it!  It was brake fluid leaking out of the right front caliper!  Poor dog.  I just didn't have all the facts.  It's a cruel world out there!  LoL  Ordered  new seals for both calipers.
 

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

Yesterday morning I went outside and saw some yellow stuff puddled on the front tire rim.  I assumed my male dog had peeded (marked) on it!  I called him over and scolded him for doing it.  He looked up at me as if to say "I'm sorry."  Later that afternoon I saw another puddle on the rim and used my finger to smell it!  It was brake fluid leaking out of the right front caliper!  Poor dog.  I just didn't have all the facts.  It's a cruel world out there!  LoL  Ordered  new seals for both calipers.
 

Hi Ron,Check The Fork Seals,This is Probably The Culprit,Not The Brake Caliper.I have the same thing going on on my Interstate.I will be Replacing my Seals Soon.

[98valk]

try the film cleaning procedure first for the fork seals. my seals have been dry for 10k miles after doing it.

[RonHolly]

Hi Ron,Check The Fork Seals,This is Probably The Culprit,Not The Brake Caliper.I have the same thing going on on my Interstate.I will be Replacing my Seals Soon.

Thanks Bert!  I have'nt had a chance to check anything out yet.  When it warms up a bit I give it a good look over.  The fluid was dripping off the inner side of the right rotor and then down onto the rim.  Couple of weeks ago I had replaced the front pads and was assuming it was from pushing the caliper buckets back in order to get the new pads in.

[RonHolly]

I also noticed that the front forks have been "spongy" but have no experience as to what a normal operation is.  Hope my moto is not another money pit like my Beemer has been.

[RonHolly]

try the film cleaning procedure first for the fork seals. my seals have been dry for 10k miles after doing it.

Never heard of the "film cleaning procedure" and don't know what that is!

[Tundra]

Here you go Ron...some swear by this. If it works for you it is certainly a cheaper alternative. Many have applied the same method using 35mm film.
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0395/

[RonHolly]

Here you go Ron...some swear by this. If it works for you it is certainly a cheaper alternative. Many have applied the same method using 35mm film.
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0395/

Thanks Tundra!  Even if it's not the problem I think it would be a good idea to have it on hand.  Maybe even use it before it becomes a leakage problem.  (Learning something new every day!  Thanks)

[IamGCW]

Do a forum search.  There is a tool that works if the film trick does not.  Many have faced this problem and found success.   Someone even posted a picture of how to cut a 2 liter soda bottle into the shape that the tool is in.  Free, if you have the plastic bottle.

Gil

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

 Check For Rust Spots Behind The Chrome Deflectors Mounted On The Front Fender On The Forks. This Is Usually What Damages The Seals and No Wiper Tool Will Fix That. This Is A Common Problem Due To Not Being Able To Clean The Fork Tubes Behind These Chrome Covers. I Usually Scrape The Rust Off and Use Fine Sandpaper to Clean Them When I Replace The Seals and Fork Oil. You Could Also Replace The Front Springs With Progressive Fork Springs That Were Made For The Valkyrie Due To The Factory Springs Letting The Forks Bottom Out .The Progressive Springs Are Stiffer And Do Not Let The Fork Tubes Bottom Out, Keeping The Seals Out Of This Typical Rust Range.  

I Have also Used The Cleaner Tool Method Using a Credit Card  Type Piece Of Plastic, They May Stop Leaking For A Short Time,But It Will Not Fix Damaged Seals.

[RonHolly]

Hi Ron,Check The Fork Seals,This is Probably The Culprit,Not The Brake Caliper.I have the same thing going on on my Interstate.I will be Replacing my Seals Soon.

Thanks Bert for telling me about the fork seals!  I checked it this morning and that is exactly what's leaking.  Now, after using the film, does that mean I have to add fluid or possibly replacing the fork seals?  Do you think this cold snap had anything to do with the seal leak? (This site really rocks!  Lot's of help and suggestions!)

My caliper seals just came in the mail.  Wow that was really fast!  At least now I have them and can change them as needed.  I know that the rotors are going to have to be resurfaced just to knock the high spots down.

[RonHolly]

My biggest tip off, for the leak, should have been that I would have deduced the resevoir fluid level had not dropped for the front breaks.   

[Jess from VA]

I have been cleaning the seals on one of my bikes for 3+ years, though my intermittent leaks have been pretty minor, never any pooling, never on the brakes. I've added no more fork oil, and the bike handles fine (I pay attention and can feel no loss of front suspension).  There's almost a quart in each, and although the oil sprays all over the front end at speed, you really only lose a little bit.  Now if its running all over the place, you may not just have a dirty seal, but a torn one, in which case it needs replaced.

And I will tell you the Sealmate is WAY better (easier to use, does a better job) than 35mm film.  When I used the film, it kept crumpling up on me as I sawed it up and down going around the fork, and I had to keep getting more negatives out of the old pile to continue.  I lost more oil using the Sealmate since it is thicker than the film, but still no loss of fork performance I can detect.

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

The Cold Weather Could Have Sparked The Leak At The Seal, But The Seals Are Probably 10 + Years Old And Are Dry And Brittle Or At Least Cracked From Being Dry. There Are Two Sets Of Seals In Each Fork, Wiper Seals And Dust Seals, and When The Inner Wiper Seals Start To Leak It Is Time To Change Them . I Change  Them Myself And Have Never Replaced Them More Than Once On Any Of My Valkyries . If All Of The Oil Leaks Out Of One Fork And Not The Other You Could Have A Problem In Handling, But May Not Be That Noticable. They Have Oil In Them For A Reason And If they Are Leaking I Replace The Seals And The Oil, That Way I Know That They Are As They Should Be, Like From Honda, With No Worries If They Will Work With-out Oil Or Not.

[RonHolly]

My "Seal Mate" fork seal cleaner came in this morning.   When it warms up a little later this afternoon I'll give it a try and see if it will work for me.  Just hope that my seal isn't bad and just needs the cleaning.    ($5 tool and & $7 shipping!  They could have stuck it in an envelope and mailed it for .44 cents.)

Thanks CA, Tundra and Bert for the help and suggestions about my problem!

[98valk]

my best results where by removing the fender so I had 360 degree cleaning access. the dirt/crud was in a bad spot I suppose cause the first time i did it the leak worsened. after re-doing with the fender removed it hasn't leaked for 15k miles.
I also every few wks now wipe down the exposed fork with a soft cloth.
Good luck.

[John Schmidt]

Bert, I'm curious.....why is nearly every word capitalized? No biggie, just wondering. 

[Skinhead]

Bert, I'm curious.....why is nearly every word capitalized? No biggie, just wondering. 

Not Bert, but my phone does that when I us it to post, anyone know how to fix it?

[RonHolly]

I took the fender off and did the leaking right side seven sets of 3 revolutions.  I could not tell if any dirt was pulled out or not from the residue left on the rag.   The jury is still out on wheather it's going to do any good though.  Even after cleaning the tube, just inside, there seems to be a very small amount of oil showing up.  Don't know if it's just residue oil that I couldn't get with the rag or not.  "Butt" it's definetly done some good.   I'll keep everyone updated.

I also did the left side since I did the right.

Pic just to make it interesting!

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

Bert, I'm curious.....why is nearly every word capitalized? No biggie, just wondering. 

Not Bert, but my phone does that when I us it to post, anyone know how to fix it?

 I just have a Bad Habit of typing that way.Maybe because it keeps Both Hands Busy.

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

I changed  my Fork Seals today and found a Few Spots of Corrosion on the lower Fork Tubes, I cleaned then with 1500 grit Sandpaper. I also noticed that the Seals had a couple of Scratches where they had made contact with the  Corrosion. New Seals and New Oil, Now If they'll Last Another 15 Years  I'll Be Happy,Happy.Happy.

[RonHolly]

I put the dust seals back on and took a few miles ride and came home and parked her.   Checked a few hours later and no leaks as of yet.  Gotta check the manual about the fork oil and see what and how that's done. 

[RonHolly]

How do I service the front forks?  Checked the manual and too much jibberish on rebuilding.  Can someone give me the down and dirty on putting some jack oil in them?  Bet there is a video somewhere!  I'll check the forum tech area right now.

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

You Have To Unscrew The  Caps On The Top Of Each Fork, But There Is No Way Of Telling How Much Is In Them Unless You Dump The Exhisting Oil Out Of them And Refill Them With The Recommended Amount Of Oil.

[RonHolly]

Went by the Honda dealer and he said it has to be drained, then compressed and filled 5.5" below the tube top.  Indicated if it's working just leave it alone until there is a for sure problem and then replace the seals, bushings and springs at that time.  Just not worth the efffort to worry about a small amount of fluid that has leaked out at this time.

So far there is nothing running down the fork yet.  Maybe I'm getting lucky, "for now!"

[98valk]

there are few older posts indicating that the stock oil level is too much and it will ride/perform better with a slightly lower level. I never replace the oil that was lose and I do feel it rides handles and is smoother riding with the less amount of oil.
ride it for awhile as is and see if u like it.

[RonHolly]

Well I rode all day yesterday and today and still not leaking after 3 days!  Guess I became another believer in the "Seal Mate" seal cleaning tool.  I know there are other company's that make similar tools so I guess they are just as good!  Thanks guys for giving me the tip on this one!