Fork seals

Dry Martini

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Well both of mine are leaking. The bright side to this is, I get to replace the 5wt fork oil with 15wt.


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After how many miles, one of my seals started leaking around 65k so both were replaced. Both of my seals started leaking again around 102k, but after riding with them leaking for a couple of weeks, they stopped leaking, weird. But I'm not complaining.
 
I think I'd replace any leaking seals just as soon as I noticed they were leaking. My shop just replaced mine two weeks ago and the oil had also saturated my front brake pads, not a good combo.
 
After how many miles, one of my seals started leaking around 65k so both were replaced. Both of my seals started leaking again around 102k, but after riding with them leaking for a couple of weeks, they stopped leaking, weird. But I'm not complaining.

My bike has only 25k miles on it, due to work/schedule changes. I would have thought they would have lasted longer than that.


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A lot of seal leaks are due to crap getting in-between the fork and seal.

This tool, Sealmate, has a pretty good success rate at fixing fork leaks.

For less than $10.00, I don't think you can go wrong;

Amazon.com: Motion Pro Seal Mate Fork Seal Cleaner: Automotive


If you can get your hands on 35mm film, its supposed to work as well if trimmed correctly...
 
My bike has only 25k miles on it, due to work/schedule changes. I would have thought they would have lasted longer than that.

Mine only has 28K, but it is an '07; like tires, I'm wondering if the seals can give out just from age/sun/ozone/etc. What year is your bike, Dry Martini?
 
Mine only has 28K, but it is an '07; like tires, I'm wondering if the seals can give out just from age/sun/ozone/etc. What year is your bike, Dry Martini?

Mine is an 04. When not being ridden, it lives in a closed garage.




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A lot of seal leaks are due to crap getting in-between the fork and seal.

This tool, Sealmate, has a pretty good success rate at fixing fork leaks.

If you can get your hands on 35mm film, its supposed to work as well if trimmed correctly...

I use a laminated business card lol..works great on both the oil n wiper seal
 
I use a laminated business card lol..works great on both the oil n wiper seal

I'm surprised it didn't tear off of you but that's great!

I have two Seal Mates in the tool box (just in case).

I keep the forks super clean (exterior, just did the fork oil change) and added schrader valves to the fork caps with about 14 PSI in each tube. Hasn't lost a pound of air in approx 6 months. Tightens up the front end considerably, nice and dry..


An added bonus, should I get a seal that needs replacement, simply pull the dust seal, the retainer. Clean the recess and add 100+ PSI and the old seal should blow out, NO dis-assembly (of the fork itself)..

I haven't done this yet, but the procedure works on other air capped forks(KLR forum)


 
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