| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Geoff
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 08 Feb 2007
Posts: 551
Location: Illinois
|
 Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 1:47 pm Post subject: Fork Seal Question |
 |
|
My '94 RS has 26K miles. I recently noticed a very light oil film on my right fork tube. When I wipe the tube clean the film returns following a ride. I bought the bike with 19K miles on it. I don't know if the fork seals were ever replaced.
I tried sliding a thin feeler gauge around the seal to remove any debri but this didn't help. I fitted a pair of Traxxion fork guards to the bike some time ago, so I seldom find debri on the tubes. Is the thin oil film a precursor to a complete seal failure?
_________________
2000 R1100RT
2008 H-D Electra Glide Ultra Classic |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Phil Marvin
Rider in the Sky
Joined: 03 Apr 2003
Posts: 1389
Location: El Paso, Texas, USA
|
| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: Fork Seal Question |
|
|
| Geoff wrote: | | Is the thin oil film a precursor to a complete seal failure? |
Hi, Geoff,
In my opinion, yes. Once there is a film of oil, it doesn't cure itself. Be prepared to replace the seal. Were it me, I would replace both seals, then install a set of gaiters. The Rancho shock boots, Rancho part number 1952, work well and cost much less than BMW gaiters. If you want BMW gaiters, the /6 and /7 gaiters will work.
Ride Safe,
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Saltcreek
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 22 Oct 2008
Posts: 957
Location: New Hampshire
|
| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 5:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
That's just how mine started and I replaced the seals recently. I don't know about other states but it's inspection time here and a leaky fork seal fails your inspection. I kind of wish I had replaced bushings while I was in there. I don't think they're that expensive.
_________________
Jim
1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold 
2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Geoff
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 08 Feb 2007
Posts: 551
Location: Illinois
|
| Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 9:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the replies.
Fortunately, we have no state inspection in Illinois.
_________________
2000 R1100RT
2008 H-D Electra Glide Ultra Classic |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Off the grid
Chaotic Good
Joined: 05 Jul 2006
Posts: 3414
Location: At the local taco truck waiting for Jo.
|
| Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 9:18 am Post subject: Re: Fork Seal Question |
|
|
| Phil Marvin wrote: | | Geoff wrote: | | Is the thin oil film a precursor to a complete seal failure? |
Hi, Geoff,
In my opinion, yes. Once there is a film of oil, it doesn't cure itself. Be prepared to replace the seal. Were it me, I would replace both seals, then install a set of gaiters. The Rancho shock boots, Rancho part number 1952, work well and cost much less than BMW gaiters. If you want BMW gaiters, the /6 and /7 gaiters will work.
Ride Safe, |
This.
I replaced my seals and added BMW gaiters at 55k. 30k later and no leaks yet. The BMW gaiters cost about 22 bucks each, (yes, they do not come as a pair) which is 2x the amount of the Ranchos.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sonu
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 15 Jan 2004
Posts: 400
Location: San Jose, CA
|
| Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 3:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Geoff wrote: | | Fortunately, we have no state inspection in Illinois. |
I'd still replace them pronto. Safety issue.
Sanjiv
_________________
1997 K1100LT "Ziggy" _GarminGPS_Corbin saddle_K Guards _Hyperlights_Fog lights_Eastern Beaver Relays_Cee Bailey_4"speakers_Michelin PR4's_MoS2_Spiegler lines_TPMS_VDO
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Milton
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
Posts: 230
Location: Arvada, Colorado
|
| Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 10:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
They can go fast. I lost my right seal at about 34K. Fine one day (or so I thought) and the next I had a small puddle of oil on the ground. Did both seals at the same time. I too put on the BMW gators to keep them clean from bugs and mud; they don't look too nice, I like the shiny metal look, but I'd rather not do a seal replacement again anytime soon that retaining clip is a real b***h to get out.
Milton S.
_________________
Jethro Tull: Thick as a Brick!
1992 K100RS 48K. Dead for now.
1998 Triumph Tiger 43K->56K. Doin it in the dirt.
1978 Honda CB400T 32.5K. For my boys.
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jim
Site Admin
Joined: 17 May 2003
Posts: 3841
Location: WHERETHEFUNNEVERENDS
|
| Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 10:44 pm Post subject: fork gaiters |
|
|
I had the fork seals replaced on the '95 before heading for Calgary - one of them totally leaked before I got to the border! Had BMW gaiters installed, and never had another leak. Although the shiny forks look good, I'd a lot rather see the gaiters (which I can't see while I'm riding anyway) than see leaking fork seals.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000
"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SugarHillCTD
Site Admin
Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Now in Eastern Pennsylvania
|
| Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 6:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Saltcreek wrote: | | That's just how mine started and I replaced the seals recently. I don't know about other states but it's inspection time here and a leaky fork seal fails your inspection.... |
Kind of ironic...a leaky fork seal will fail but those straight piped Hardleys are getting passed
_________________
John & Cathy
'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Geoff
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 08 Feb 2007
Posts: 551
Location: Illinois
|
| Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 9:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
I started work on installing new seals over the weekend.
I installed Traxxion Dynamics fork guards some time ago. I prefer the looks of these over gaiters.
_________________
2000 R1100RT
2008 H-D Electra Glide Ultra Classic |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lrome48
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 30 Jan 2006
Posts: 364
Location: Northridge, SFV,Southern California
|
| Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 9:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Geoff wrote: | I started work on installing new seals over the weekend.
I installed Traxxion Dynamics fork guards some time ago. I prefer the looks of these over gaiters.
|
The fork guards protect the front of the tubes from stone chips but do not seal out dirt and debris which is what does the seals in. After you get the forks apart you should polish the tubes, replace the seals and install gaiters. That is the best way to protect the tubes and prolong the life of the seals.
_________________
Larry
K75
97 K1100 LT Specialk under construction
87 SpecialK75 Carols done!
2004 K12 Special the 'Beast' delivered
K1100 Standard Custom Gone but not forgotten |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
