Fork Seal failure

[scooterme]

I noticed when out on the bike this past Saturday that there was oil on the left fork leg, so I'm guessing it's time to replace the fork seals. There is some oil on the single central shock also, but I'm hoping that that oil is just over-spray from the failed left fork.

Anyone have any experience changing these seals? Any tips or common pitfalls to avoid?

cheers

[zackvis]

Hi
I manage to fix problem by just by lifting the dustcaps ,cleaning under them and put a little grease in and the are fine no leaks for a year.
Water collects under them at times and that creates problems i now clean them out every six mts or so.
Good luck

[deilenberger]

The grease under the dust cap will certainly help. Gaiters would eliminate the problem about forever, but dunno how'd they'd look on the R12R.

Before replacing the seal you might try cleaning it. There is someplace that sells for some silly amount of money a thin piece of plastic that you wrap around the fork tube and push down between the seal and the tube, with the idea it will clear away anything stuck in the seal causing a leak. In the thread I saw that mentioned this, someone else suggested using a piece of 35MM film (negative or positive..) For those too young to remember - photos used to be taken on film, which was a thin piece of celluloid coated with a light sensitive silver solution.

The chap mentioning it didn't say if it had to be exposed and developed.. but if anyone wants some and wants to send me a SASE (remember those? Before email? I can't email this to you) - I'll happily go down in the darkroom and dig out some old strips of 35MM film (no choice on what the negatives show you..) and stick it in the envelope and mail it to you. Or if you want an excuse for a ride - you could always come pick it up at my house. Was just in the darkroom today turning the sprinkler system on - I think I'm going to bring the darkroom back to life, just to be a Luddite (plus I loved playing with photos when they were real things not 0's and 1's..)

Whadda deal.. don't knock yourself over PM'ing me..

[scooterme]

I tackled the fork seal this weekend. This was a remarkably easy fix to take on. Thank goodness for the telelever, and the complete lack of springs to deal with in the forks.

Back on the road and feeling fine.

cheers

[R12RnHouston]

I tackled the fork seal this weekend. This was a remarkably easy fix to take on. Thank goodness for the telelever, and the complete lack of springs to deal with in the forks.

Back on the road and feeling fine.

cheers

Hi, scooterme,

Did you replace just the seals, or also the wiper (I think what Max's parts fiche calls a cup/31 42 2 311 980)? I assume you replace the parts one fork at a time, removing the plastic cap from the cross brace, loosening and removing the hex nut, and pushing the stanchion down? My wipers are cracked and dry-rotted, and the two plastic trim pieces at the top have long ago rotted and fallen off. I'm thinking of restoring them.

Thanks,

David