K11 Owners Group

Niemand · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:28 pm Post subject: Forks: What Lube in Dust Caps?

Hey, people. Over the years I've read more fork seal threads than I can count, but none seem to address this tidbit...

Within the fork reassembly section of the factory repair manual (31.16), it states the following:

"Note: Pack grease pocket in the dust gaiter with, for example, SHELL Retinax A or Gleitmo 805."

The Shell seems to be no more, and I've only found the Gleitmo in kilo tubs for over $100. There is a smaller more affordable grease gun cartridge size, but it doesn't seem to be available in the U.S. lately.

So...I am trying to find alternatives. What if anything do you use for this lube? I know several don't use any, but I like to have options when possible. (I can't help but wonder if this omission might be a contributing factor in the of the mass fork seal failures for those without fork protection of some sort.)

Danke.
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Niemand

1994 K1100RS
2023 DR650SE

drikko · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:38 pm Post subject:

Can't say I've ever done this and I haven't had any trouble with seals although I did replace them at about 50,000ks.
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K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:07 pm Post subject:

I've been into my forks after they were repaired by a dealer and there was nothing in there.
I've also read that same instruction in the fork assy section.
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Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Rafal · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:39 am Post subject:

Hello!

In the set of ARI seals there was a grease bag, that should be put between seal lips. To fill dust cover pockets I have used a silicon gel - average clear silicon grease.
I think that this is for protecting seal and seal locking ring against water and to bind dust that gets inside the pocket.

Best regards,
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Rafal
K1100RS is a real beast (in Marrakesh Red)
K75S is a real beauty - she has gone Sad

, but not to far Smile

.

DaveVoorhis · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:48 am Post subject:

I used some of the same tub of general-purpose grease I use for everything, then protected the works with new gaiters. 10,000 or so miles later, everything seems fine. (Knock wood.)
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'93 K1100RS
Dave #3