Any experience with the "Seal Mate" tool???

mcwidave · August 19th, 2015, 12:17 PM

So, my fork seal just started leaking and I was thinking about taking it to the shop to have it fixed. I was browsing the internet looking at tips as well for DIY and saw a tool called the Seal Mate. I guess my only question is has anyone had experience with this thing and if so has it worked for you to save your fork seals? It's only $5 so I might just give it a try.

verboten1 · August 19th, 2015, 12:38 PM

a thin piece of plastic, or a film negative will do the same thing,and you can probably find a suitable piece in the garbage. I have had it stop a weeping seal before.

Flying · August 19th, 2015, 12:47 PM

I made one using milk jug plastic. It was able to reach down to the seals and perform its job. I was initially skeptical of how effective it was, but cleaning the tiniest amount of dirt out of the seals completely stopped any leaking from my forks.

It's worth taking a shot at it before replacing the seals.

ninjunk · August 19th, 2015, 01:11 PM

My buddy races motocross and he swears by the 'seal doctor' which as far as i can tell, pretty much does the same thing.

If your seals are showing cracks and dried out this sort of thing wont help them. Being that its a street bike and that it is behind a fairing, its probably not all packed off with dirt.

The fork seal thing isn't that bad, and if you really aren't feeling it, just take off your fork tubes and drop them at a moto shop, should be less than 50 bucks for the pair to have them pop in new seals, clean, and re-fill with oil. IF you have the right seal drivers it takes about a half hour once the tubes are off.

I'm sure someone has a youtube vid of changing fork seals.

mcwidave · August 19th, 2015, 01:23 PM

Yeah, I've seen the DIY vids on changing them, I'm just not sure that it's something I feel comfortable tackling to be honest. I am still new to performing my own work on my bike. I used to just drop my last bike at the dealer and trust that I was getting a good deal. The dust and oil seals look to be in pretty decent shape so I think I may give a make-shift seal mate a shot.

Thank you all for your input. It is greatly appreciated!

rojoracing53 · August 19th, 2015, 04:37 PM

I have a seal mate in my garage somewhere but after looking around for 5 mins trying to find it each time I need it I just give up and make one out of some thin plastic I find lying around.

August 19th, 2015, 12:17 PM	#1
mcwidave Learning to walk Name: Dave Location: Boise Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 06 Red Ninja 250 Posts: 48	Any experience with the "Seal Mate" tool??? So, my fork seal just started leaking and I was thinking about taking it to the shop to have it fixed. I was browsing the internet looking at tips as well for DIY and saw a tool called the Seal Mate. I guess my only question is has anyone had experience with this thing and if so has it worked for you to save your fork seals? It's only $5 so I might just give it a try. __________________________________________________

August 19th, 2015, 12:38 PM	#2
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	a thin piece of plastic, or a film negative will do the same thing,and you can probably find a suitable piece in the garbage. I have had it stop a weeping seal before. __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

August 19th, 2015, 01:23 PM	#5
mcwidave Learning to walk Name: Dave Location: Boise Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 06 Red Ninja 250 Posts: 48	Yeah, I've seen the DIY vids on changing them, I'm just not sure that it's something I feel comfortable tackling to be honest. I am still new to performing my own work on my bike. I used to just drop my last bike at the dealer and trust that I was getting a good deal. The dust and oil seals look to be in pretty decent shape so I think I may give a make-shift seal mate a shot. Thank you all for your input. It is greatly appreciated! __________________________________________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[roadracingworld.com] - Your Chance To Win A "Money Can't Buy" MotoGP Experience With	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	April 29th, 2013 09:20 AM
[topix.net] - "The Fonz", "Ralph Malph" & "Potsie" are giving away Fonzie's motorcycl	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	August 16th, 2012 04:30 PM
A couple questions for those have experience with "kevlar jeans" ( possible project)	Monkeytofu	General Motorcycling Discussion	21	July 17th, 2012 10:53 AM
[roadracingworld.com] - "Celtic AMA Experience" Available During Oct. 10 Pengiun Road	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	August 27th, 2011 07:50 AM
[kropotkin thinks...] - Pedrosa: "No Wall Needed With Lorenzo As A Team Mate"	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	July 10th, 2009 05:00 AM

August 19th, 2015, 12:47 PM	#3
Flying ninjette.org sage Name: - Location: somewhere cold Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 596 Blog Entries: 1	I made one using milk jug plastic. It was able to reach down to the seals and perform its job. I was initially skeptical of how effective it was, but cleaning the tiniest amount of dirt out of the seals completely stopped any leaking from my forks. It's worth taking a shot at it before replacing the seals.

August 19th, 2015, 01:11 PM	#4
ninjunk Lostcause enthusiast Name: Graham Location: Austin, TX Join Date: Jan 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2000 EX250F Posts: 178	My buddy races motocross and he swears by the 'seal doctor' which as far as i can tell, pretty much does the same thing. If your seals are showing cracks and dried out this sort of thing wont help them. Being that its a street bike and that it is behind a fairing, its probably not all packed off with dirt. The fork seal thing isn't that bad, and if you really aren't feeling it, just take off your fork tubes and drop them at a moto shop, should be less than 50 bucks for the pair to have them pop in new seals, clean, and re-fill with oil. IF you have the right seal drivers it takes about a half hour once the tubes are off. I'm sure someone has a youtube vid of changing fork seals.

August 19th, 2015, 04:37 PM	#6
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	I have a seal mate in my garage somewhere but after looking around for 5 mins trying to find it each time I need it I just give up and make one out of some thin plastic I find lying around.