Fork Seal Cleaning Trick

[signart]

Guys that have cleaned fork seals to attempt repair on minor leaks.
Do Valkyries have dust shields that need to be lowered for this procedure? Also is a 2 liter Coke bottle too thick to use in making a cleaning tool out of?

[bentwrench]

The dust seals come down pretty easy.try some old 35mm neg. ,got all kinds of junk out of mine several k miles with no problems.

[garyheskett All 49 x 3 st.louis]

I've done the "film trick" three times now on the 97 Standard that I have.  I did not remove the chrome shield or the dust seal.  I just shoved some 35mm film into the fork and worked my way around.  It has worked every time (and now have 137,000 miles on it).  Removing the chrome shield (just a couple bolts) and dropping the dust seal is probably the better way to do it.  I bought the Sealmate little tool ($5), but I like the 35mm film better. Way easier than replacing the seal.

[Jess from VA]

The dust seal comes right down easily with a tiny flathead screwdriver.  It's hard enough to saw your thin cleaning tool up and down and around getting all oily without leaving the dust seal in place.

I cannot answer the coke bottle question, thou recall some writing they chopped up a plastic bottle of some sort to make such tool. 

First time, I did not remove my rock guards, later I did and it made the job easier... and I did a much better job.  I see no reason to pull the fender thou.

[Rio Wil]

Yep....the one made from a coke bottle works fine.....a bit sturdier than 35 mm film.

[signart]

Yep....the one made from a coke bottle works fine.....a bit sturdier than 35 mm film.

That's what I was kinda thinking, it would be sturdier. Don't want to do damage, not my bike. Thanks everyone for response.

[The emperor has no clothes]

The dust seal comes right down easily with a tiny flathead screwdriver.  It's hard enough to saw your thin cleaning tool up and down and around getting all oily without leaving the dust seal in place.

I cannot answer the coke bottle question, thou recall some writing they chopped up a plastic bottle of some sort to make such tool. 

First time, I did not remove my rock guards, later I did and it made the job easier... and I did a much better job.  I see no reason to pull the fender thou.

To me it seems easier to just remove the fender than the rock guards

[Jess from VA]

The dust seal comes right down easily with a tiny flathead screwdriver.  It's hard enough to saw your thin cleaning tool up and down and around getting all oily without leaving the dust seal in place.

I cannot answer the coke bottle question, thou recall some writing they chopped up a plastic bottle of some sort to make such tool. 

First time, I did not remove my rock guards, later I did and it made the job easier... and I did a much better job.  I see no reason to pull the fender thou.

To me it seems easier to just remove the fender than the rock guards

Once you figure out the right (small) tools, the guards are easy;  one nut a 1/4" stubby ratchet/socket, the other a ratcheting box wrench, high and low.  But be careful, the small nut will slip down inside the fender/fork mount and it takes a magnet to retrieve it.  Like the interstate bulbs, you have to do the job by feel.