something else...Fork Seals

jalaan1 · 06-09-2008, 12:00 PM

ok so i noticed some oil/hydraulic fluid

coming down the right fork.
i'm guessing i need a new fork seal.

1- is this a job i can do myself?
2- should i get this done asap or can it wait lil bit?

tia.

Trip · 06-09-2008, 12:21 PM

If you have a front stand that isn't supported by the forks or have another way to get your bike's front off the ground without using the forks, it's pretty easy to do it yourself.

papapoi · 06-09-2008, 03:18 PM

down here it cost 160 per fork to replace the seals and thats with you providing the seal:/ but yeah, sounds its the fork seal i had same thing happen to my 78 Yamaha xs11.

jtemple · 06-09-2008, 04:11 PM

I know on my bike you have to have a tool to compress the fork springs to get the legs apart. The official tool is quite expensive. However, I do remember finding instructions somewhere to build your own for next to nothing.

ceo012384 · 06-09-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtemple

I know on my bike you have to have a tool to compress the fork springs to get the legs apart. The official tool is quite expensive. However, I do remember finding instructions somewhere to build your own for next to nothing.

Yeah if you have inverted forks you need a spring compressor.

You will also want a fork seal driver, and probably a sete of picks because there are lots of little rings and clips and stuff you need to fish around.

It's more difficult than an oil change by far, but doable from what I have seen.

jtemple · 06-09-2008, 10:20 PM

For the money it would cost me for tools (I'm a big fan of having the right tool for the job) and the time it would take me to do the work, that's probably something I'd just pay to have done.

jalaan1 · 06-09-2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtemple

For the money it would cost me for tools (I'm a big fan of having the right tool for the job) and the time it would take me to do the work, that's probably something I'd just pay to have done.

yeah, that's what i'm thinking.

Dnyce · 06-10-2008, 01:27 AM

i took the forks off and took it to a shop, they charged 25 each fork. if you got the space, you'll save alot just by taking the shop the bare forks. the same place wanted i think 75 per fork if i brought in the bike.

also, get em both done. less hassle for later, bcuz if one is leaking now, the other may not be too far behind....

6doublefive321 · 06-10-2008, 11:57 AM

Try cleaning the seal before you drop any money on it. Take a business card or some old 35mm film (who the hell has that anymore?), and clean between the leg and the seal. Sometimes, there can be some grit trapped on the seal which causes the leak. Also, flush the leg / seal area with some silicone spray to flush away any grit. I've managed to avoid replacing a seal with this method in the past.

Agreed on removing the fork legs if you get a shop to replace the seals. Half the labor cost is getting the fork legs off.

Good luck.

jtemple · 06-10-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6doublefive321

Try cleaning the seal before you drop any money on it. Take a business card or some old 35mm film (who the hell has that anymore?), and clean between the leg and the seal. Sometimes, there can be some grit trapped on the seal which causes the leak. Also, flush the leg / seal area with some silicone spray to flush away any grit. I've managed to avoid replacing a seal with this method in the past.

Agreed on removing the fork legs if you get a shop to replace the seals. Half the labor cost is getting the fork legs off.

Good luck.

Truth. The 35mm film trick works and can save you some big bucks.

06-09-2008, 12:00 PM	#1
jalaan1 orangina Zed Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LI, NY Moto: '12 Z1000 Posts: 700	something else...Fork Seals ok so i noticed some oil/hydraulic fluid coming down the right fork. i'm guessing i need a new fork seal. 1- is this a job i can do myself? 2- should i get this done asap or can it wait lil bit? tia. __________________

06-09-2008, 03:18 PM	#3
papapoi Lost Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 178	down here it cost 160 per fork to replace the seals and thats with you providing the seal:/ but yeah, sounds its the fork seal i had same thing happen to my 78 Yamaha xs11. __________________

06-10-2008, 01:27 AM	#8
Dnyce flyin high Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: cali Moto: 10speed huffy w/cards in the spokes Posts: 2,318	i took the forks off and took it to a shop, they charged 25 each fork. if you got the space, you'll save alot just by taking the shop the bare forks. the same place wanted i think 75 per fork if i brought in the bike. also, get em both done. less hassle for later, bcuz if one is leaking now, the other may not be too far behind.... __________________ "Racing Is Life, Everything Before and After is Just Waiting" Steve McQueen

06-10-2008, 11:57 AM	#9
6doublefive321 Resident Droog Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern burbs, Atlanta Moto: 625 SMC, '08 Tuono R Posts: 471	Try cleaning the seal before you drop any money on it. Take a business card or some old 35mm film (who the hell has that anymore?), and clean between the leg and the seal. Sometimes, there can be some grit trapped on the seal which causes the leak. Also, flush the leg / seal area with some silicone spray to flush away any grit. I've managed to avoid replacing a seal with this method in the past. Agreed on removing the fork legs if you get a shop to replace the seals. Half the labor cost is getting the fork legs off. Good luck. __________________ I'm sick and tired of being bored. Last edited by 6doublefive321; 06-10-2008 at 11:57 AM.. Reason: +1 = I'm gay.... real funny.

06-09-2008, 04:11 PM	#4
jtemple Geek Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Papillion, Nebraska Moto: 2011 Husqvarna TE630 Posts: 1,437	I know on my bike you have to have a tool to compress the fork springs to get the legs apart. The official tool is quite expensive. However, I do remember finding instructions somewhere to build your own for next to nothing.

06-09-2008, 10:20 PM	#6
jtemple Geek Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Papillion, Nebraska Moto: 2011 Husqvarna TE630 Posts: 1,437	For the money it would cost me for tools (I'm a big fan of having the right tool for the job) and the time it would take me to do the work, that's probably something I'd just pay to have done.