| Author | Message | ||
     Pso |
Tomorow morning I was planning on going on my annual MC trip with a friend. Went out to the parking lot just now, left front fork seal seems to be leaking. Now what? How serious if I go anyway for the next 5 days to new england. Never had a fork seal leak so do not know how catastrophic it is. | ||
| Crempel |
I wouldn't even consider it if there is significant leakage. Is it weeping to the point where you notice a little dust collecting or you spotted a puddle on the ground? If its just weeping, take some 35 mm film and carefully slide it up between the seal and the fork leg and run it around a few times. This could dislodge any minute particles that may be causing the weeping. If there's a puddle on the garage floor, major failure is imminent and you could suddenly lube your front tire, which some people view as a bad thing. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I rode from Knoxville to Daytona like my A$$ was on fire with the front left fork blowing oil over the left side of the bike... I had NO idea what it was at first.... I kept checking the engine oil and it was fine... Next stop, check engine oil again... still good... Then Etennuly had a issue that required a little more time than the typical gas stop and that's when I figured out the oil was coming out of the front fork and pinstriping the left side.... So I say ride it.... and get it fixed when you get home. and when I say we was rid'n hard... we got pulled over in Georgia for doing 90+... took our tongue lashing and on we went... but that's another story for another campfire... | ||
| Tginnh |
Not sure I agree with Wolf - sounds like he was in the middle of a ride. Limping home with a mechanical failure is one thing. Heading out on a trip with a known problem is a whole different story. Good luck either way. | ||
| Tginnh |
btw - I have been missing many beautiful riding days due to the same issue. However, I had a puddle under my forks. | ||
| Hughlysses |
IF you can find the seals, it's not that big of a job to replace. May be the same as some Japanese models (?). If it's a drip, one way of minimizing it is to tear an old towel or T-shirt into strips that you can tie around the fork leg. Discard and replace with fresh ones as necessary. This is a good trick for nursing a bike home with a leaky fork seal. (Message edited by Hughlysses on September 03, 2009) | ||
| Glenn |
I've done the rag trick to absorb the fluid when I've found a leak on the road. Besides the tire, you do NOT want the fluid to get on the brake rotor and then into the pads. Besides the slipping, if they get wet from the fluid, its time for new pads. | ||
| Pso |
I'll try the film or mylar strip. thanks everyone so far. Seems like I have a few drops on the concrete after riding to work.Luckly it is on the left fork. (Message edited by pso on September 03, 2009) | ||
| Dr_greg |
Poor front brake performance was the first symptom of my leaking fork seal (a while back). Not a good situation. --Doc | ||
| Thespive |
A shop rag with zip ties will work nicely. --Sean | ||
| Murraebueller |
Get it fixed- they tend to get worse as you go further and can definitely be a safety issue. | ||
| Pso |
Folks: Thanks for the input, after my ride home from work it had gotten much worse. I tried the mylar trick and the stuff broke off in the seal so riding is out of the question. I transfered my stuff to my Wife's Wee-Strom last night and now I am going to go on her bike. I guess it will be a good comparison between the Wee-Strom and the Uly (right). Fortunatly she has just completed her break-in of 600 miles, unfortunatly we had not yet gotten her side bags or a tail trunk yet, so packing from the Ulyu's side bags, tail trunk, and seat bungy to one bag on the back was trickey, but reminds me of my early days of riding. I also now miss my aerostich jacket with so many pockets everywhere. O well if I did not want an adventure I would take the car. |
