Fork Seals

[Funky]

I just noticed that I have a weeping fork seal on the bottom left of my R1. Does anybody have any experience in changes fork seals? How hard is it and would I need special tools?

[billinom8s]

Little
Very
Yes

[Funky]

Bollocks.

[DynaMight]

Before you look at changing the seals, check the chrome and make sure theres no rust/corrosion. That can break a seal, but it'll just go again.

[Mervin]

first try cutting piece of plastic milk carton like this (no need to buy the thing ) and run around seal it is worth a shot i reckon

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seal-Mate-Too ... 1059312192" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[badgerKDD]

I made myself a USD fork compressor and seal driver, with those two tools changing the seals is an afternoon job, without them its a really horrible and virtually impossible job, its the releasing the cartridge on the top of the forks that's the tricky bit without the right tools. You can buy the tools you need online, but tbh by the time you've spent that much money and time waiting for the tools to arrive, its just easier to take the forks to your local bike mechanic and get him to do it.

Homemade fork compressor:


Releasing the cartridge:


Everything taken out and on the bench:


The seal driver in action:


If you can get them from Cornwall to Exeter and back you are more than welcome to borrow them, is Moose down our way anytime soon?

[Funky]

I trhink I'll give the seal mate idea a go, if it doesn't work I'll have to take the forks out and get them sorted.

Cheers guys.

I would love to take you up the offer Badger, but I don't have a nice work top like you do.

[TLS-Moose]

Ease the dust seal down and give it a really good clean in behind. Also give the inside of the dust seal a good clean. Once done and back together monitor if a few days and see if its still a problem. Sometimes moisture gets stuck in there with dirt and gives the impression of a leaking seal.

If that don't work, tbh if you're not sure what you're doing its just as easy to drop the legs out and take them to someone. At least doing that you save yourself the lions share of the labour cost.

[badgerKDD]

I trhink I'll give the seal mate idea a go, if it doesn't work I'll have to take the forks out and get them sorted.

Cheers guys.

I would love to take you up the offer Badger, but I don't have a nice work top like you do.

Having a good engineers vice at work is a god send tbh! My shed vice was too small last time I did my seals so I packed up the car with my forks and tools and did it at work. Luckily they trust me with the keys ;) !