Front Fork Seal Fix

[Toolmaker Tim]

Hello again. Haven't been on the site for a while, but I decided to resurrect the old beast. No excuses, just got tired of working on the old bike. So, the reason I threw my hands up in disgust was after finally getting the brake lights, turn signals, brakes themselves and other minor issues fixed, the front fork seal started leaking on one side. I just replaced the blasted things, so I wasn't able to stomach doing it again. before I dig in to it, are there any tricks to getting a leaky seal to behave? I hope it is just some grit that got in there and can be easily cured without a major overhaul. Thoughts, ideas?

[DiverRay]

Two things will cause a "quick" seal leak.
1. Poor quality seals.
I know some folks here have had problems with some of the aftermarket seals, but I don't remember what the brands are that work, or don't work. Help from someone??
2. A problem with the front fork tube, usually a rust pit.
ANY pits or bad spots in the fork tube WILL take out any seal in a hurry. If your not sure, use brakeclean on the tube to take all the oil off, keeping the brakeclean off the wiper/seal itself. Then take an old nylon from your wife/girlfriend/neighbor and run it up and down the tube. It WILL hang up on any imperfection on the tube.
If this is the case, check andreas or ebay for used, or http://franksforks.com/products/yamaha-fork-tubes/ for new.

[motoman]

Hello again. Haven't been on the site for a while, but I decided to resurrect the old beast. No excuses, just got tired of working on the old bike. So, the reason I threw my hands up in disgust was after finally getting the brake lights, turn signals, brakes themselves and other minor issues fixed, the front fork seal started leaking on one side. I just replaced the blasted things, so I wasn't able to stomach doing it again. before I dig in to it, are there any tricks to getting a leaky seal to behave? I hope it is just some grit that got in there and can be easily cured without a major overhaul. Thoughts, ideas?

The trick of using a Seal-Saver will remedy the issue and keep you from having to take them apart. Any motorcycle dealer/supplier ususaly has them on their check-out counter. Used one myself on a couple occasions, and can be used over and over again.

[Radioguylogs]

Sealmate

I used the Sealmate tool this weekend on my Honda V65 forks:

http://sealmate.net/

The forks had been leaking so badly I had to stop and wipe them every 15 miles. I was disappointed because i just rebuilt these forks over the winter, about 300 miles ago.

After using the tool, I rode 30 miles. One fork had no leakage, and the other had about one drop when I wiped it. It was a world of difference and the tool was very inexpensive (2pcs for $10).

[motoman]

Thanks for the actual name correction Radioguylogs......my bad.

[bikerphil]

I have successfully used the 35MM film negative trick many times as shown in the video below. A piece of plastic soda bottle will work also. Remove and slide up the dust wiper out of the way before working on the seal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv5VSMP0Usc

[Toolmaker Tim]

Thank You

OK, have some thing to try. I was REAL careful how I handled the fork tubes and sliders when I first put it together. It may be that I do need to take the forks apart, but wanted to try any other options avalible first. If they work, great. If not..... at least I tried. Thank you for all the replies

[Toolmaker Tim]

Sealmate

Just ordered myself a Sealmate. Will post how it works as soon as I receive it. In the meantime, the other issues can be addressed

[motoman]

I have successfully used the 35MM film negative trick many times as shown in the video below. A piece of plastic soda bottle will work also. Remove and slide up the dust wiper out of the way before working on the seal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv5VSMP0Usc

Excellent option Phil. Used to do the same decades ago on our moto-x bikes......and that was LONG before the invention of the Seal-Mate. We all always had a small strip of 35mm film JUST for that leaky seal scenario. The end catch slots of the 35mm film always caught and removed any debri caught in seal lip.