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Old July 9th, 2014, 01:57 PM   #1
AmyF
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Leak on right fork seal

I noticed a leak on my right fork seal - not noticing any performance issues - just happened to look down and see it. It's not running all the way down the fork - it just wells up a bit on the black seal. I've wiped the area twice in the last...3 or 4 days perhaps?

I can't do a $300 repair job right now. I did notice a few things online about possibly using a fork seal product you just put on the seal so it extends the fork seal life, instead of spending a few hundred bucks replacing it at the shop.

What are your thoughts?
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Old July 9th, 2014, 01:59 PM   #2
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Are they clean and dirt/dust/grime free? A simple good cleaning may just do the trick.
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Old July 9th, 2014, 02:04 PM   #3
AmyF
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Recent picture of the forkseal
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File Type: jpg 20140705_162324.jpg (68.4 KB, 55 views)
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Old July 9th, 2014, 04:00 PM   #4
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What do you know. My right seal is leaking too. Need to find the time to replace them.
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Old July 9th, 2014, 04:44 PM   #5
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I had a seal start leaking quite badly about a month ago - it was a visible trickle that appeared after a ride. We have had a lot of pollen blowing around here lately, and I think it collected on the fork tube and got dragged between the fork tube and the rubber "O-ring" seal.

If you Google 'Seal Mate', you'll find there is a product that essentially is a slim piece of flexible plastic that you wrap around the fork tube and slide down the leg to slip under the O-ring seal. You twirl this around the fork tube, and it scrapes out any gunk such as pollen, dirt, sand, etc.

You'll also find discussion of other riders making due with a piece of 35mm film negative, or a plastic-coated playing card. I tried this trick with a Joker from an old card deck, and it did seem to carry out a bunch of gunk. Since doing this "seal cleaning" trick, my fork has not been leaking and all seems well. YMMV....

I looked at your photo, that seems like a lot of crud on the fork tube. I would get on this soon if I were you; the right fork oil can dribble off the fork onto the front brake caliper... not good.
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Old July 10th, 2014, 06:06 AM   #6
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i need to try that. i have a nasty habit of hitting dirt roads on the ninjette. no gravel road is going to stop me. lol
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Old July 10th, 2014, 06:09 AM   #7
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I have cleaned the fork up pretty good - haven't tried that trick with cleaning the debris out of it yet though - that would probably help. I meant to look at it when I pulled into work but forgot. I have to run out at lunch time to get some gas so I'll look then. Tank meter is at 215 miles I believe (give or take a few) so I don't want to run out on the way home
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Old July 10th, 2014, 09:41 AM   #8
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Well your probably getting close!!!
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Old July 10th, 2014, 09:44 AM   #9
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There are two seals per fork. One is just a dust boot (the one you see) and the other is the actual fork oil seal. Make sure the card, film, or whatever gets by BOTH seals.

Also, I'm not a handy guy but I needed a full fork and seal oil replacement (mine spewed everywhere) and $300 was enough to convince me to do it myself for under $100. I had to buy an impact tool and special impact hex adapters (most aren't long enough to reach the drain bolt), but Harbor Freight's 25% off coupons made that an easy pill to swallow (12v emergency impact wrench).

Good luck!
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Old July 10th, 2014, 09:50 AM   #10
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Don't waste money on a seal mate - cut the seal mate shape out of one of these plastic milk jugs. It's the same material.

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Old July 10th, 2014, 12:19 PM   #11
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thats what we need to hear!!
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Old July 10th, 2014, 12:33 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M42 View Post
Don't waste money on a seal mate - cut the seal mate shape out of one of these plastic milk jugs. It's the same material.

Are you sure you're not from KY?
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Old July 10th, 2014, 01:19 PM   #13
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Naw, just perpetually broke. Why pay 10 bucks and wait for mail, when you could pay like 2 bucks and have milk for a hundred pancakes
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Old July 10th, 2014, 02:37 PM   #14
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My right seal is leaking as well. From what I've read on here, shops will charge a few hundred bucks and I found the seals (oil and dust) on Amazon for <$30. If you have the space, time and tools, it is well worth it to do it yourself.

Make sure once you get the forks out to clean them and make sure there are no nicks that could cause another tear/leak.

I plan on doing mine in about two weeks. I'll try and take lots of pictures to post, although the wiki has some pretty comprehensive posts already.
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Old July 10th, 2014, 03:14 PM   #15
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It's almost always the right fork, just like mine.

I'm sure it's partially because our bikes lean left and the right fork has more exposure to the elements, but that can't account for it seemingly always being the right fork, can it?
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Old July 11th, 2014, 09:13 AM   #16
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new pic of the fork seal

Just realized I posted this in the wrong year range.

Here's a picture of the fork seal after my long 48 mile commute to work. I'll try to get in there and clean it out this weekend.
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Old July 11th, 2014, 09:16 AM   #17
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Old July 11th, 2014, 09:29 AM   #18
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If you search on Youtube for 'Seal Mate' you can find a video of a guy lifting up the dust cap and using his Seal Mate to clear the seal of minor debris.
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