Leaking fork oil again!! HELP!!!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 6
From: Nuevo Mexico USA
Leaking fork oil again!! HELP!!!
I did a search of the forum and didn't find what I was looking for just incase the search police is wondering. I have a problem with the left side of my forks. I am running a progressive drop in kit with SE heavy wight oil and for the second time the seal is leaking. When the drop in kit was installed by a local shop it started to leak about 500 miles after the install and then it stopped. The local indy said it was fine. About 1200 miles later it started leaking again. I removed the fork and sure enough I found a small puddle of oil on top of the seal. The top seals under the fork caps are good and not leacking. I took the fork to the stealership and had them check the seal which they said was good, reinstalled it and they refilled the shock with oil. I put the front end back together and took the bike out for a very short ride and parked it. I just noticed a puddle of oil under the left fork and oil coming out of the cowbell and running down the fork. What can be the cause? Should it take less oil because of the lowered springs? For those of you that are running dropped front ends how much oil are you running?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities
i would put new seals in it, only way oil can come out is the seal or the topcap, or drain plug......so it has to be the seals....how the heck do you check a seal anyway?, id switch stealers too
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 6
From: Nuevo Mexico USA
Unfortunately we only have one stealership here in town so I don’t have much to choose from. I agree with you on changing the seal, the tech stated that he had removed the seal to check it but we all know how that go’s. I’m just wondering if it’s better to run a little less oil sense the forks are lowered.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Something similar happened with mine. It turned out the seals were installed properly but the seal spacers (looks like a big washer) under the seals were up side down. The beveled sides must be up. I reinsalled them correctly and it has not leaked since.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 354
Likes: 1
From: Houston,TX
I really can't tell a difference between the two sides of that washer. Anyway you could help? Thanks
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
One side is flat and the other side is slightly rounded. The flat side should face down. I know it is hard to tell but there is a difference. I found out by reading the shop manual. That worked for me. I hope it fixes your issue.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 354
Likes: 1
From: Houston,TX
Ah ok I think I can see it now. Thanks
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
No problem. Also make sure the seals are properly seated with the side with the letters facing up. If you don't have the special tool, you can use a pcv pipe like I did.