refilling fork oil after leak

[DRS]

I noticed a small leak in my left front fork when I got my bike out from winter storage. I used seal savers on the forks to clean the seals and then reseat them. There has been no further leaking. I have read all the info on the archived posts and have the manual so I know how to refill the forks with them fully compressed without the springs. My question is can I add oil without removing the spring and still determine the proper oil level so I don't have to purchase the 44mm honda locknut wrench and remove the spring.

  DRS

[Bone]

Are you sure you need to add any oil ? One teaspoon of oil poured on a vertical fork tube makes a big mess but isn't much oil.

[MP]

If you just had a little oil on the fork, and not a big puddle on the floor, I would not even bother checking the level!  As above, one teaspoon spread out looks like a BIG leak!

MP

[Daniel Meyer]

They hold durn near a quart. Wouldn't sweat it a bit!



Five thousand miles of this and still had most of the oil!

[Tx Bohemian]

I used seal savers on the forks to clean the seals and then reseat them.

What are "seal savers"?

[DRS]

I miss typed, I actually used seal mate (not seal savers) to clean the fork seals. They are a thin piece of mylar type material that you push up between the seal and the fork tube. You rotate it around the tube a few times and slide it out. There is a hook shape on the end which collects any grit that might have been caught between the seal and the fork and drags it out as you remove the seal. Do this a few times and then reseat the seal by compressing the fork 5 - 10 times and you should be good to go. For a better look go to sealmate.net and watch the video.

   DRS

[Tx Bohemian]

For a better look go to sealmate.net and watch the video.

Thanks for the info.  I may need this also as I have  a slight leak on one of my forks.

[sandy]

I used seal savers on the forks to clean the seals and then reseat them.

What are "seal savers"?

Motion Pro sells a seal saver tool. It's pretty cheap and they have a video on their website on how to use it.

[gordonv]

Or use the film trick, same thing, but you might even have an old roll of film sitting around already. And you can almost still buy it anywhere you are, while on a trip, it doesn't have to be old or used.

[Bugslayer]

I miss typed, I actually used seal mate (not seal savers) to clean the fork seals. They are a thin piece of mylar type material that you push up between the seal and the fork tube. You rotate it around the tube a few times and slide it out. There is a hook shape on the end which collects any grit that might have been caught between the seal and the fork and drags it out as you remove the seal. Do this a few times and then reseat the seal by compressing the fork 5 - 10 times and you should be good to go. For a better look go to sealmate.net and watch the video.

   DRS

Those look pretty cool. I've got a leak on my left fork. These Seal Mates look worth a try.... Thanks for the heads-up!