Front Fork fluid

[Seus2909]

Is it safe to ride a bike if one of the front forks is leaking fluid. Since it has springs and the fluid is meant to be an additional dampner is it ok to ride for a while, while waiting for seals to come in? Does it affect the handling in a negative or unsafe manner?

Thanks

[Jess from VA]

Most bikes don't leak that much fluid (when leaking).  You may get a bit of misty spray (riding) all over the timing cover, but actual loss is minimal.

If you're not actually feeling a loss of fork function, I wouldn't worry about it.  I was losing fluid with small leaks on both forks (right more than left) for several years (periodically cleaned and stopped with a Seal Mate cleaning, but it always came back after a few months), before the forks were removed and repaired.  I never leaked enough to get any fluid on my front brakes (at all) (you obviously don't want fluid on the brakes).  I always wiped it down after each ride, so I could see if it was getting worse (it wasn't).  And I never felt a perceptible loss of fork function; they may have softened up a bit over time, but so slowly as to be unnoticable.  And after removed and fully repaired with new wear parts and fluid, they didn't get much harder that I could feel (though I told my repair guy to put in one or two ounces less than called for).

[0leman]

One of our members tied a big red handkerchief over the leaking front for a number of miles, if my memory servers me right.  Didn't stop leak but did keep oil from getting all over the place.   

[Gryphon Rider]

The safety issue is fork oil contaminating the brake pads.

[Jess from VA]

One of our members tied a big red handkerchief over the leaking front for a number of miles, if my memory servers me right.  Didn't stop leak but did keep oil from getting all over the place.   

I've seen a supersize Kotex taped on there too.  (mine was never that bad)

Really attractive repair.   

[WintrSol]

Must be something about 20+/- years and the fork seals. Yesterday I spotted a wet area under my left front fork (pun intended ). Today it is in the shop for new seals. The bike has less than 50k miles, so it must be the age getting to them.