|
07-01-2018, 01:33 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: EurAsia
Posts: 46
|
How bad is my fork leak?
Woke up this morning to find this.
I'm pretty sure this means I've got a serious leak, but seeking confirmation. The corresponding right stantion looks a little damp, where as the left is bone dry. It did rain very heavy a few days ago (haven't moved the bike since rain) so maybe its possible that the rain just washed some oil down and it never dried. But I think that's unlikely. I'm going to wipe it clean and check again in a day or two. Also, I've been hearing a click/thump noise that seems to be more from when the fork rebounds fully (ie: unweighted, opposite of bottom out). I tell myself it could be the tool canisters I have mounted to the front frame guards, but I dont think so. Also, if I do somehow have a leak that has miraculously formed ~11 months after a rebuild, what is the possible cause and what is the best fix? Just refill and replace seal? For reference, I changed the fork oil and seals 1 year ago and replaced with the heavier weight fork oil (10w?). I haven't noticed any issues prior to this. didi gmadloba (big thanks in Georgian), Rob |
|
07-01-2018, 01:42 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ChCh , NZ
Posts: 2,265
|
seal replacement time....
..
__________________
09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com |
|
07-01-2018, 03:07 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: EurAsia
Posts: 46
|
It definitely has a significant leak. I'll try to source some seals via Greece tomorrow.
The bad news is I'm stranded. The good news is that I'm stranded in T'bilisi, which is a very nice to place to be stranded. And I'll have ample time to get my blog up and running, but that will come later because its supposed to be 108F today, so I'm headed to the mtns to hike! And now that I can finally post photos, a little eye candy... I do believe this is the ride that killed my fork. It was worth it! |
|
07-01-2018, 05:24 AM | #4 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: EurAsia
Posts: 46
|
Does anyone know if it's safe to use a generic fork seal? Vs one from a rx3 dealer? There are a couple legit shops and some container box shops also, that would save a ton of time and $ vs getting something shipped.
|
|
07-01-2018, 08:43 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Twin Cities MN
Posts: 525
|
I would use a generic if I had to you can always swap it out at a later date.
__________________
2016 Brozz |
|
08-13-2018, 05:43 AM | #6 | |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ChCh , NZ
Posts: 2,265
|
Quote:
Chances are Zongshen buy chinese seals...where you have the choice of any make & quility you wish...
__________________
09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com |
|
|
08-13-2018, 12:05 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 382
|
Excellent advice. I buy seals, bearings, and such from local industrial supplies. Same parts, different package, much, much cheaper.
|
|
07-01-2018, 10:19 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Redmond, WA.
Posts: 534
|
You could also try to make a sealmate type seal cleaner, pull down the outer dust seal and then clean the inner seal. I've heard people using plastic bottles cut to share to do this. Check out Youtube.
__________________
2017 BMW F800GS Adventure |
|
07-02-2018, 09:39 AM | #10 |
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,707
|
I've made and use one made from a plastic bottle. Made similar to the Sealmate. Works perfect.
__________________
2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
|
07-02-2018, 11:46 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 382
|
Check your inner tube for damage that would cause a seal failure. Doesn't take much.
|
|
07-01-2018, 10:40 PM | #12 |
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Taos
Posts: 104
|
Sealmate works almost every time i've used one. MotionPro?
|
|
07-03-2018, 02:41 PM | #13 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Warshington
Posts: 928
|
Another thought is I've rode in down pours and my fork seals started leaking on a different bike. Maybe the water has gotten into the seal and is not letting it seal as water is not a good lubricator and allows the seal to drag and maybe roll over a bit letting oil by. On upside down forks its a problem because gravity is pulling on the oil downward. Try the sealmate type of seal cleaner outer thing and clean the seal out while on the bike. May buy you some time .rj
__________________
Live Zong, and Prosper |
|
08-08-2018, 07:54 AM | #14 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: EurAsia
Posts: 46
|
Thanks FJ and JerryHawk! I youtubed the sealmate device and saw how it was used, then cut one from a plastic bottle. That seems to have stopped it. And my seals still look to be in great condition.
Now I just don't know how much oil I've lost. I'm going to investigate by opening both caps and trying to use a measuring stick, compare the leaked oil level to the other and add to the leaky side until it matches, then I don't have to do a half fork rebuild where I don't have proper space or tools. The local shop offered to do it for $40US, but that's kinda pricey around the parts, or more likely... traveling this part of the world has made me a cheap-skate. |
|
08-08-2018, 09:57 PM | #15 |
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Redmond, WA.
Posts: 534
|
That's great to hear!!! But your initial post was over a month ago....have you been stuck this whole time?
__________________
2017 BMW F800GS Adventure |
|
|
|
|
|