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Fork seal question..

ChrisXXX

New member
Joined
Aug 19, 2011
Location
San Francisco
Moto(s)
GSXR-1000 2006
Name
Chris
I've never had one go bad on me, but, I just trailered my bike (06 gsxr 1000) here 2000 miles and now one of my forks has oil all over it. So I am guessing I blew out a fork seal? Is this something I can replace myself? Also, can I ride on it for a little while, without causing more damage? The cost of the move here has me strapped for cash but I cant wait to hit the coastal roads...
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!
 
This sometimes happens when a bike is trailered and the forks stay compressed for a long time. The seal hasn't necessarily blown out, but because it stayed pressurized for so long, fork oil seeped out over the long trip.

I'd just check your fork oil level and as long as the seals haven't actually blown out, you may be OK.

Remember, you've no idea exactly how much oil you've lost and even small changes in fork oil levels can make for big changes in how the bike handles. I would not ride it in any brisk manner until you get the forks checked out. And remember also that the only way to accurately fill the forks is by opening them up, following procedure, and actually measuring the level. For instance, simply draining and putting in what came out is no good as is draining and putting in what the manual says they hold. Neither way is accurate. ALWAYS measure. And use good quality, full synthetic, racing grade fork oil. It's not that expensive and you don't need that much. It'll perform better and last longer.

And should you actually need new fork seals, make sure you use original factory seals. Aftermarket seals almost always suck and end up leaking. Spend a few more bucks and know that they're going to work and last.
 
Sweet! Thanks so much. I will go pick up some oil this afternoon and take care of that so I can ride this weekend!
 
Sweet! Thanks so much. I will go pick up some oil this afternoon and take care of that so I can ride this weekend!

Did you compress the forks a lot when transporting it? That's why it leaked.

Unless you have experience with cartridge forks, don't waste your time buying a bottle of oil. You need to remove the fork, unscrew the cap, use a spring compressor to remove the cap, remove the spring and spacer, and measure the oil. It's a bit of a job.
 
Yeah they were compressed with the tie down straps. And afm199 you are correct obviously, I just looked it up in my shop manual and its a bigger task then I have tools for at this time. Ill have to take it in.
 
Kinda along the lines of what ST Guy was sayin (but my example, I've never heard of before)...

I had my seals replaced, Just as preventative measure during a total suspension internals modification.

A couple months later, and a couple days after a ride, one fork leg leaked about a teaspoon of oil out. I wiped it up to keep an eye on further leak amounts...it never leaked more.

That was over a year ago.
 
FWIW, you can make a pretty big mess with fork oil changes, so taking it in isn't always a terrible idea anyway.

:teeth
 
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