Author Topic: Fork leak?  (Read 11370 times)

Offline MAN OF BLUES

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #40 on: February 25, 2020, 02:27:26 PM »
That does look like a much better design that is easier to use.

$25.....?????????

30 seconds with a pair of sharp scissors, and a discarded 2 liter pop bottle, and I can make a dozen... and have a drink while doing so...    :rotflmao: :chugbeer: :chugbeer:

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Offline Rubber_Snake

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #41 on: February 25, 2020, 04:50:08 PM »
$25.....?????????

30 seconds with a pair of sharp scissors, and a discarded 2 liter pop bottle, and I can make a dozen... and have a drink while doing so...    :rotflmao: :chugbeer: :chugbeer:
$15 on eBay or $9 if you want to wait for China shipping.  Much easier to use as getting around the fender is a pain, but doable.  Seal Mates are $6-8 on eBay.  But you certainly can make your own with a 2 liter bottle, pretty easily.  I wouldn’t spend $25 but would consider $15.
2009 GTR 1400 ABS, 48k miles, AMSOIL synthetic 10W-40 (since new), AMSOIL synthetic 75W-90 final drive (since new). Helibar Horizons, Oxford heated grips, V-Stream windscreen, Mountain Runner Flash, Brian’s low fuel eliminator farkle, ST2 smart brake module and smart turn system, Two Brothers Black Series M5 w/P1X decibel killer.

Offline accbiker

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #42 on: February 27, 2020, 11:52:14 AM »
how many miles?  The selamate did wonders until the 110k mark when I replaced the oil and seals.

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Offline maxtog

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #43 on: February 27, 2020, 03:29:53 PM »
how many miles?

If you are asking me, first incident was 32K miles.  Last was 44K miles.
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #44 on: February 27, 2020, 05:34:15 PM »
You need to ride it more, Max!
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #45 on: February 27, 2020, 08:32:00 PM »
You need to ride it more, Max!

Depending on weather (no rain) I ride year-round, about twice a week.
My 200937 G just hit 30K; so the bike gets a lot more miles :)
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline maxtog

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #46 on: November 29, 2020, 03:17:54 PM »
If you are asking me, first incident was 32K miles.  Last was 44K miles.

Discovered the left fork was leaking again, badly right at flipping 49,000 miles.  I didn’t catch it until 60 miles away on a trip.  When I stopped it actually dripped on the pavement and had slung some onto the fairing and was on the outside of the calipers.  Mopped it up and limped home the smoothest way possible.  At home I discovered a drip pool in the bike tent, so I was leaking the previous trip, and I think it was on the way home last night when I hit a bad pot hole.

I was able to use the Sealmate several times and stop the leaking.  The fluid is clear, a lot like baby oil, and I think I lost multiple tablespoons.  I still don't know at what point the level is low enough to cause a problem or what I am supposed to notice, handling-wise.
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline Justcliff

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #47 on: November 29, 2020, 03:56:15 PM »
Discovered the left fork was leaking again, badly right at flipping 49,000 miles.  I didn’t catch it until 60 miles away on a trip.  When I stopped it actually dripped on the pavement and had slung some onto the fairing and was on the outside of the calipers.  Mopped it up and limped home the smoothest way possible.  At home I discovered a drip pool in the bike tent, so I was leaking the previous trip, and I think it was on the way home last night when I hit a bad pot hole.

I was able to use the Sealmate several times and stop the leaking.  The fluid is clear, a lot like baby oil, and I think I lost multiple tablespoons.  I still don't know at what point the level is low enough to cause a problem or what I am supposed to notice, handling-wise.

If my feeble memory serves me right they only hold 5 oz each, so multiple tablespoons means you're gonna be low. I'd say it's time to pull them off, check the forks for nicks & replace the seals. At 49,000 miles you're past due for a fluid change anyway.
Cliff

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Offline maxtog

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #48 on: November 29, 2020, 05:50:04 PM »
If my feeble memory serves me right they only hold 5 oz each, so multiple tablespoons means you're gonna be low. I'd say it's time to pull them off, check the forks for nicks & replace the seals. At 49,000 miles you're past due for a fluid change anyway.

Yeah.  I guess I will add it to my soon-than-years-from-now list.  :(
It might be a while before I can get to it, especially since it is getting cold fast.  I hope I am not in any immediate danger.
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline maxtog

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #49 on: December 05, 2020, 09:38:30 PM »
If my feeble memory serves me right they only hold 5 oz each, so multiple tablespoons means you're gonna be low.

I thought 5 oz capacity was shockingly low (pun intended).  It is 15 oz each, so I am guessing even losing an entire ounce isn't going to be too horrible.  I rode it today for the first time since I stopped that last big leak and cleaned it well and I didn't notice any difference in handling.  Was only 60 miles, though.  Tomorrow I will be riding 150 miles or so, which will be a better test.  I am leaving the Sealmate on the bike from now on, though.

Although they are more prone to leaking now than before, the last leak is kinda my own fault, since I forgot to check and clean the forks regularly (had I done that in the past, it probably would never have gotten to this point).

Quote
I'd say it's time to pull them off, check the forks for nicks & replace the seals.

I finally looked up the procedure.  There are all several special tools needed to actually replace the seal.  So I think this is something I will have to get a bike shop to do.  Dern.
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline Justcliff

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #50 on: December 07, 2020, 09:08:54 PM »
I thought 5 oz capacity was shockingly low (pun intended).  It is 15 oz each, so I am guessing even losing an entire ounce isn't going to be too horrible.

You are correct & I stand corrected. In my defense though, I did use the words IF & feeble memory!    ;D

If they leak to bad fluid could get on your brake pads  & ruin them also, not to mention possible braking issues.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2020, 06:35:55 AM by Justcliff »
Cliff

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Offline maxtog

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #51 on: March 21, 2021, 07:09:20 AM »
I finally looked up the procedure.  There are all several special tools needed to actually replace the seal.  So I think this is something I will have to get a bike shop to do.  Dern.

Had another 3 incidents of leaking (left, then right, then right), then using Seal Mate.  Seems to fix it only a random amount of time before one or the other seal will leak again, no matter how carefully I keep the tube clean.

I finally got around to calling my local non-dealer about it.  $300 parts and labor for replacing the seals, which seems reasonable.  However, he was asking me about the slight damage I can feel with my fingernail on the lower, front side of each tube.   They can’t know if the tubes really need replacing until they are removed.  If they do need replacement, the tubes are $536 EACH!!!!!!  So it could cost me over $1436!!  I had no idea it could be that insanely expensive. Plus, they are running 3 weeks behind and getting worse.

Has anyone actually had to replace the tubes before due to a few nicks?  Could a few nicks really result in such an extreme expense???  I have a feeling I will wait until Fall, if I can, have only the seals replaced and take my chances that the few nicks will not damage new seals.
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline Rubber_Snake

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #52 on: March 21, 2021, 10:07:14 AM »
During my Alaska Trip, a couple summers back, when my troublesome tube left a puddle on and ground and spray on the fairing, the local shop in Anchorage (AK Cycles) replaced the seals for around $300, if memory serves.  The shop owner told me that there were some nicks on that tube that he was able to polish out, but warned that if they were to start leaking again, they would need to be replaced.  Did your mechanic talk about trying to polish them?  It sounds like you’ve been diligent about keeping them clean, so I imagine the scratches can’t be too bad.
2009 GTR 1400 ABS, 48k miles, AMSOIL synthetic 10W-40 (since new), AMSOIL synthetic 75W-90 final drive (since new). Helibar Horizons, Oxford heated grips, V-Stream windscreen, Mountain Runner Flash, Brian’s low fuel eliminator farkle, ST2 smart brake module and smart turn system, Two Brothers Black Series M5 w/P1X decibel killer.

Offline maxtog

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #53 on: March 21, 2021, 01:55:09 PM »
During my Alaska Trip, a couple summers back, when my troublesome tube left a puddle on and ground and spray on the fairing, the local shop in Anchorage (AK Cycles) replaced the seals for around $300, if memory serves.  The shop owner told me that there were some nicks on that tube that he was able to polish out, but warned that if they were to start leaking again, they would need to be replaced.  Did your mechanic talk about trying to polish them?

He didn't really talk about that, no.  But it will (eventually) be part of the conversation.  Were your nicks near the bottom, in the front?

Quote
It sounds like you’ve been diligent about keeping them clean, so I imagine the scratches can’t be too bad.

I have been, but only since they started leaking.  I never really knew I had to keep them clean before that (other than just normal occasional bike washing).  My other bikes did not have upside-down forks and were exposed and easy to clean with bike washing.  On the C14, the front portions are very difficult to access and can't be seen.  Out of sight, out of mind...
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline Rubber_Snake

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #54 on: March 21, 2021, 02:07:15 PM »
He didn't really talk about that, no.  But it will (eventually) be part of the conversation.  Were your nicks near the bottom, in the front?

Mine were toward the top of the exposed tube, in the area where the tube travels along the seal(s).  Dirt had gotten past the dust seal and scratched the seal(s) enough to cause them to leak.  Basically, they were vertical scratches.  A large nick, as if from a rock, could require replacement if the nick is deep enough and high enough to travel across and damage the seals. 

Side note: He did give me a name of an supplier to replace the tubes at a lower cost than the $536 you mentioned.  I can look for it, if you’d like.  He said they were excellent quality tubes. 
2009 GTR 1400 ABS, 48k miles, AMSOIL synthetic 10W-40 (since new), AMSOIL synthetic 75W-90 final drive (since new). Helibar Horizons, Oxford heated grips, V-Stream windscreen, Mountain Runner Flash, Brian’s low fuel eliminator farkle, ST2 smart brake module and smart turn system, Two Brothers Black Series M5 w/P1X decibel killer.

Offline kzz1king

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #55 on: March 21, 2021, 05:21:11 PM »
I have filled small pits on my old Zee with JB weld. Clean well with acetone.
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #56 on: March 22, 2021, 12:46:33 AM »
I have filled small pits on my old Zee with JB weld. Clean well with acetone.

Interesting idea.  Seems amazing it would hold.

From what I can tell, my very small areas of damage look like a few rocks hit it or something and there were some raised areas (which I hit with a tiny file to try and flatten, without too much success).  Next time I have the fender out of the way, I will attempt to take photos with my mega-super camera.  Last attempt with cell phone was futile.
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc

Offline Freddy

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #57 on: March 22, 2021, 01:23:59 AM »
If time allows, get the tubes hard chromed by a specialist when they're apart.  It's a common procedure.
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #58 on: March 22, 2021, 06:46:50 AM »
Max, just get them done.  Replace the seals and change the oil.  You don't need this worry in your life.
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Offline zrx mitch

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Re: Fork leak?
« Reply #59 on: March 22, 2021, 10:21:33 AM »
I agree, get them done. Do you know anyone with the tools to do the forks? If not, are you reasonably good with tools? It's not a hard job to do, extra hands help. I had never touched USD style forks, and did two C14's in an afternoon with the other riders assistance.

Where are you located?

I hate paying for someone to do something when I can invest less money in the tools and own them.

https://traxxion.com/product/fork-service-tool-kit/
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