07 Forks leaking again!
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: WA
07 Forks leaking again!
I have a 07 Superglide that I bought with 4200 miles on it and the upper fork tubes were bent from an accident. The damage was bent 18" ape hangers, bent upper fork tubes and a busted brake lever. The hit was not that hard the insurance Co. just totals anything that is in an accident.
Anyway I took the forks apart and put new upper tubes in and put it back together just to find the right side leaking after a few hundred miles. I then pulled it apart and put a new seal in (it's not upside down) and inspected everything and all looked well but again after a few hundred miles it's leaking again. I plan on replacing all the parts inside now, the upper is not nicked up at all and I rotated the upper with the lower stationary and the lower seems straight to me. I am looking for ideas, its prime riding weather, not tearing my bike apart weather, and I don't want to have to do this again!
Anyway I took the forks apart and put new upper tubes in and put it back together just to find the right side leaking after a few hundred miles. I then pulled it apart and put a new seal in (it's not upside down) and inspected everything and all looked well but again after a few hundred miles it's leaking again. I plan on replacing all the parts inside now, the upper is not nicked up at all and I rotated the upper with the lower stationary and the lower seems straight to me. I am looking for ideas, its prime riding weather, not tearing my bike apart weather, and I don't want to have to do this again!
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: WA
That said anyone have any experience that might lead to a solution?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Couple of things, having gone through this recently.
It is possible you just got a bad seal, so if everything else checks out, that may be the simple answer.
Do not take this the wrong way, but since I was not there, I don't know, and you said the other parts all check out good...
How did you install them? Did you install the correct amount of fluid? Is the preload spacer the same on both sides? What kind of spacers, metal or PVC or?
Did you put a little oil on the seal before you slid it down the tube or some other chemical lube? Seals from Harley or aftermarket?
It is possible you just got a bad seal, so if everything else checks out, that may be the simple answer.
Do not take this the wrong way, but since I was not there, I don't know, and you said the other parts all check out good...
How did you install them? Did you install the correct amount of fluid? Is the preload spacer the same on both sides? What kind of spacers, metal or PVC or?
Did you put a little oil on the seal before you slid it down the tube or some other chemical lube? Seals from Harley or aftermarket?
Last edited by 8541hog; May 7, 2012 at 09:46 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 859
Likes: 14
From: Millsboro Delaware
How did you install the seals? I ask as they can be tempermental and they have to be install properely. When I did mine the manual showed a special tool which I did not own. After a quick search of the forum I found that using a length of 2" pvc tubing would work. You must install the seal properely or there is a good chance it will leak.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: rock island illinois
powder coated my lowers a few months ago after about hundred or so miles left seal started leaking pretty bad did everything by the book even used the pvc took it all apart and noticed the seal was bad (from HD) went and got another new seal compared it with the old one and could see a very slight difference anyway 1000 or so miles everything fine
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,465
Likes: 15
From: Corona, Ca
Like others hav mentioned replace the seal. If it happens again replace the lowers with FXDf lowers and go dual disks haha
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: Mass
Question - how bad are the leaking, is it just a weep (slight oil residue on fork) I noticed this on a few FXDC's including my own.
To resolve the weeping issue change fluid to a heaver weight (change mine to 20 and it took care of the weeping issue and gave the bike a much better ride)
To resolve the weeping issue change fluid to a heaver weight (change mine to 20 and it took care of the weeping issue and gave the bike a much better ride)
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 9
From: Marina del Rey
This.
OP--You stopped short, replacing only what was extremely obvious.
"The hit was not that hard the insurance Co. just totals anything that is in an accident."
This false belief led you to expect a quick fix. Rethink your inspection guidelines and double check all safety items.
OP--You stopped short, replacing only what was extremely obvious.
"The hit was not that hard the insurance Co. just totals anything that is in an accident."
This false belief led you to expect a quick fix. Rethink your inspection guidelines and double check all safety items.