Fork Seals....again

[Randy Grein]

Not likely, but worth a shot. The other thing I've noticed is the darn  
clips - a bit of rust and they don't want to fit in the slots anymore.  
That pushes the inward bend of the clip against the seal lip, which  
can cause it to leak. Replace the clip.

Oh, BTW - replacing seals is pretty easy. Remove the fender, wheel and  
forks. Use an allen head wrench on the bolt at the bottom (goes right  
through the axle hole). Best is to use an impact gun; a decent  
electric model can be had at most Sears. It's messy but take that bolt  
out FIRST, then remove the fork caps. Drain the oil. Gently pry the  
dust seals off, then the clips (a small flatblade screwdriver works  
well), then a few tugs on the inner tube straight up will pop the  
seals out. Reverse to install but use a bit of grease on the seal lip,  
use the old seal to drive the new into the lower leg and make sure  
that clip seats completely.

Randy Grein, WMRRA #41

On Oct 15, 2008, at 5:40 PM, Chris Burgess wrote:

> The bushings could also be shot allowing the fork tube to move  
> around in the
> seals.
>
> On Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 4:47 PM, Ernest Montague  
> <afm199 at earthlink.net>wrote:
>
>> feel the fork tubes above the dust seal, first by hand and then  
>> thumbnail.
>> You may find some scratches, dings, or sharp edges. Rub them out  
>> with some
>> 200 or finer emory paper. That should do it, unless the tubes are  
>> scored
>> lengthwise.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Oct 15, 2008, at 4:41 PM, Byron Morgan wrote:
>>
>> Cursory information, '99 SV Basically stock. about 30k miles...i  
>> think.
>>>
>>> Just had both fork seals replaced mid august. Took 2 tries then,  
>>> and now
>>> they're leaking again. Mechanic (non-dealer, but reputed to be a  
>>> good
>>> mech)
>>> says there's nothing else he can do, aka he doesn't want to fool  
>>> with it
>>> anymore. *shrug*
>>> anyway
>>>
>>> I need suggestions on what to do now. Budget is way tight on this,
>>> otherwise
>>> I'd trade it for a new bike.
>>>
>>> And it has to be reasonably easy. I've got mechanical skill, and  
>>> limited
>>> machine shop access.
>>>
>>> Thanks all,
>>> Byron
>>> Ecru, Mississippi.
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
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