K11 Owners Group

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:08 pm Post subject: Fork Seals (again....)

Ok all you techi types that know rubber.
Why is it that the bmw fork seals can't handle the cold temp's (30degF and colder).
I had the bike out probably 6-10 times in cold temps, less than 30 deg F, and now both fork seals are leaking.
I have gaiters on them and they are less than 5yrs old.

I guess if they really can't handle the cold than so be it.... but I can't believe that anyone else isn't having this issue or they are doing something im not...

Tips or advice????

Maybe it's my indicator to park them till spring?
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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)

drikko · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:43 pm Post subject:

No eyed dear, it never gets that cold here Laughing

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SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:50 pm Post subject:

Ernie-NH...... to the help desk please.
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'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
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552255 · Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:48 am Post subject:

what if u popped the protective cap sliding it up, and dumped some rubber seal 'expander' ie. stop leak, onto the seal? or added to fork oil?

wild___ idea....

Eric
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1997 K1100LT-SE
1996 K1100RS-SE
"Black & Silver Duo"
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merlin geikie · Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 5:51 am Post subject:

Surely Scott, the seals can handle the cold at a lil below freezing?

You have gaiters on but is there any road dust etc inside the gaiter causing premature failure?

Maybe a really good look at the chrome on the stanchions will show some gouges with sharp edges that are shredding your seals?

I think these can be carefully sanded out with superfine grit paper. Wink

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 11:35 am Post subject:

This isn't the first time this has happened.
I'm thinking back and iirc the 1st or 2nd winter I had the bike, snow came late so I was able to ride longer and as soon as it got down below freezing they started leaking.
The last 3-4 years we got a lot of snow/ice early so I wasn't able to get the bike out of the garage anyway when it was cold so I obviously didn't notice anything recently Wink

Now this year, no snow as yet, temps at or below freezing and now leaking seals again.
We are supposed to have a couple of days in the mid 40's, I'm thinking to wipe it all down clean and go out for a ride and see how it behaves.
_________________
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)

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 12:05 pm Post subject:

Scott,

You need fork leg warmers. Laughing

Or I could get Jen to crochet some gaiter cozies for you. Very Happy

Still riding, huh? Luck guy- just frozen stuff here. 'bout to dive in to valve adjustment and then send the driveshaft to Bruno.

Happy Holidays.
John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

SKEEZER · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 9:06 pm Post subject: Seal Problems

I posted a thread amonth or 2 ago about a product called SEAL MATE. Now before you think this is an unrelated topic hear me out.
I returned from a 2000 km road trip this last Sept .There was a unschedualed Gravel ( Fire Road ) Section that I'm sure had a bad effect on my fork seals. They sarted leaking soon after . As I am new to BMW's I started google'n and came across a product called Seal Mate. It s a small inexpence tool that you use to clean out the crud , Road Grime, Bug Guts and crap out of your fork seal.
I was sceptical even after watching their video and saught advise on this and other Brick forum's work as good as the video claims. The common responce was that to make your seals last you need to install gaiters to keep the above mentioned crap out of the seals.
My seal was leaking so bad it was spraying back on the cowl and even the gas tank. There was visible drops of oil on the back of the Fork and Dust seal. I mention this so you understand this was a sunstantial leak.
So I ordered the gaiters and had planned on getting the seals locally
but I was still intrigued but the Seal Mate solution.

The Seal Mate was so cheap on ebay I brook down and order a couple. Total $15 Cdn including postage. I used the seal mate and pumped the forks 20-30 times in the garage and there was little or no oil making it past the seal and dust cover. So a road test was required( Normally no excuse needed for me to go on a bike ride) Keep in mind it is Jan 2 and I live near Calgary AB Canada. Todays temp was about +8 C so around +40 F.

160 KM later and No Leaky Seal. No the only problem is I still need to put the Gaiters on which will require the forks to be removed . So I still may install the seals.

Anyway long story but the seals do work in colder temps.

Beemered

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A perfect day is Anyday Spent on your Motorcycle.
1993 K1100LT

m1ks · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:52 am Post subject:

Not sure if it was misunderstood but you may want to revise your comment of the consensus was there's no way this would work.
The general consensus and plain truth was that seal mate will not repair blown or damaged seals, the only way to do this is replacement!
Any thin sheet of plastic will do what seal mate does. If your dust seals are in good condition you should get little or no crud in there to begin with with the exception of extreme conditions or circumstances.
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SKEEZER · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 12:36 pm Post subject: Edit

I may have embelished my last post abit so it has been revised.
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A perfect day is Anyday Spent on your Motorcycle.
1993 K1100LT