June 24th, 2015, 09:31 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Joe
Location: KS
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninjette Posts: 58
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Effects of leaking fork seal
Not to long ago I noticed that my left fork was leaking oil. Not much seemed to have come out and I didn't notice any performance changes so I wasn't overly concerned. In the recent spirit of trying to not be afraid of doing my own maintenance I order new seals and bushings (now I need a triple stand too if anyone has good suggestions). I'm still waiting on the seals to arrive but more oil has leaked out, and while riding had previously seemed unaffected I did notice that the bike will just slightly pull to the left without my hands on the bars. I assume this is from the lower amount of oil in the left fork?
Today though, a week later, the bike felt quite different. The front almost feel squirrely and like I could really slide it around if I tried. It was enough of a change that I pulled over to make sure my tire was properly inflated and to check for anything else obvious. The bike felt under control, just that it could weave and bank with less intention. It felt unfamiliar, but not necessarily bad, and I have to wonder if I could flick the bike around even more once I got used to it. Would this be because of the lower amount of oil? I weight 205lbs and would have assumed the bike would be less versatile with a leak like this. I also washed the bike today after changing my oil and went to a nearby parking lot clean the tires by doing slow circles. While I've never had an issue doing tight turns at low speed (thanks MSF) today I could lock the steering all the way right or left with the same level of effort. That's something I practice at least monthly and it definitely seemed easier to turn tighter today. While I fully intend to replace the seals, I'm wondering if what I've been noticing is in fact from the fork leak, or if there is something else I need to be cognizant off. If it is because of the oil, then I'm also wondering if OEM specs might not be what I want to refill to. I have 10w oil already, but would lighter or heavier oil be better, or perhaps filling to a different level? What do you guys think? Maybe I'm just going crazy and its all in my head. |
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June 25th, 2015, 10:08 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Joe
Location: KS
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninjette Posts: 58
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I took the bike to the gym today to focus on how its handling. It does feel more sensitive overall when I'm really trying to be discerning, but mainly just turning left, especially if I'm using the front brake. This makes sense to me because thats when the forks are compressing, one with more resistance than the other. I notice no difference when cruising in a straight line. I no longer wonder if it might something I want and will return the forks to a stock condition; 10W at 12.2 oz.
I also think that I'm going to keep the bike parked until I get the seals changed, because even though the handling seems manageable, I would severely disappointed in myself if I wrecked a bike I want to fix up because of my impatience. I'm still curious about triple head stands and wonder if anyone has experience to share. I'm looking at this Venom stand. It comes with 13,15,16.5,17,18mm pins, but I'm not sure what our bikes use. |
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August 31st, 2015, 12:43 AM | #3 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jung
Location: Sacramento
Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r Posts: 42
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Did you ever get it fixed? How was the process?
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August 31st, 2015, 01:06 AM | #4 | |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
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I'm assuming your in need of a how-to guide on replacement of the seals, here you go.
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_..._fork_seals%3F Also this would be good time to cut the front springs, and dial in the suspension. Here is an excellent write-up on the Ninjette suspension by @InvisiBill hopefully he'll stop in, as he's much better at explaining suspension, than me. I have done suspension upgrades/modifications to my own EX500 & Ninjette, and it's the best thing you can do for the Ninjette along with upgrading the tires, it will amaze you, and anyone else.. Quote:
Any other questions please feel free to contact me.
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violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
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August 31st, 2015, 01:29 AM | #5 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
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Also here's the link for probably the best wiki on the Ninjette, from our friends at ninja 250 riders club, although some of the information is dated, it's still the best resource to start
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Ninja250_Howto
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violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
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August 31st, 2015, 09:24 AM | #6 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jung
Location: Sacramento
Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r Posts: 42
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Sweet! Thanks for the link
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September 5th, 2015, 08:31 AM | #7 | |
#41 Noriyuki Haga
Name: 1ER6F
Location: AZ
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r Track Bike Posts: 90
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Quote:
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September 5th, 2015, 09:44 AM | #8 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
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Cutting and adjusting the OEM fork springs are free and easy enough to do.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
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