45p "Blown" Fork Seal Fix

[Guest Bob]

Just thought I'd impart this little trick learnt from a wise ole mechanic, which I've used for years on all my bikes. It's also something which has been commercialised with a suitably extortionate price attached. Save the garage costs for replacing a perfectly good seal and give this a try first.

 

I noticed yesterday that my RH fork seal was leaking, the usual ring of oil around the stantion at top compression. I've NEVER had a fork seal that is truly blown and this little trick fixes them every single time.The problem is always that grit and muck has got past the dust seal and worked its way into the seal itself. All you need to do is clean the seal using a simple home made tool. I have seen truly blown seals and you really will know if it's properly gone!

 

So, tools needed are: -

 

A plastic drink bottle. I recommend a tonic bottle which is carefully emptied into several gins during the course of the previous night. By the morning the bottle will be dry and ready for use. A screwdriver for popping off the dust cover and a knife or scissors for making the tool.

 

 

Cut the top and bottom off the bottle and use the centre section to create something similar to the shape below. All you really want is a curved edge and a bit of a hook to get the dirt out of the seal. Make sure you cut it smoothly, sharp scissors leave a better edge than a knife for making the shape. The curve of the bottle should run lengthwise to match the curve on your fork leg.

 

 

Once you have something like this shape, use the screwdriver to pop the dust cover off and gently insert the cleaning tool between the seal and fork leg so it goes past the seal; you'll be able to feel when it does this. Not just on the surface, actually push it right the way in, normally about 5-10mm. Run the tool slowly around the leg a few times and then remove it and the crap that's stuck in there. Clean the fork leg so you can see if it's worked and bounce the suspension up and down a bit to re-seat the seal. You will still see a ring of residual oil and probably a thin coating on the fork leg; wipe this off and bounce it again.You should see the quantity of oil being less, the seal is now seating. Another quick clean and bounce should finish the job, if not keep bouncing and cleaning. If it still isn't working, re-insert the cleaning tool and repeat the process again.

 

 

Go back to the shop, buy some really good gin and a nice tonic with the money you've saved!

[Andy m 23,543]

We used to use 35mm film for that

 

Andy

[Guest Bob]

2 minutes ago, Andy m said:

We used to use 35mm film for that

 

Andy

 

Yeah, but in the modern world an SD card just won't fit properly! Even the really tiny ones!

[Guest bonekicker]

Bob That advice will save someone a lot of money--thanks 

[Guest Mac750]

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running ratty old hacks.com 

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But don't buy the Chen Shin Maxis as these are made from dead seals and are just as slippery. 

 

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Old Suzuki type Speedo glass gone dull and hard to read,  take them out and try tooth paste to clean them up again. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest aldmannie]

A similar piece of plastic cut from a food container got the leaky seals on my last machine through its MoT, and they were really leaky, oil running down the legs leaky.

[Guest Mac750]

Pipe cleaners ( bit of wire with gauze around them under the dust cover. )

Soaks up the oil enough for MOT and home again.  

[Graham NZ 1,186]

Good advice here.  Thanks.

[trisaki 2,029]

Speaking as a mot tester and motorcyclist for many a year please if you have oil running  down your fork legs get the job done properly  coz what is further down the fork legs - yes that big plate called a brake disc for slowing you down but it doesn't work when covered in oil   - if it's just a slight mist of oil fine have a go with bits of plastic yes it can work  

[Guest Bob]

1 hour ago, trisaki said:

Speaking as a mot tester and motorcyclist for many a year please if you have oil running  down your fork legs get the job done properly  coz what is further down the fork legs - yes that big plate called a brake disc for slowing you down but it doesn't work when covered in oil   - if it's just a slight mist of oil fine have a go with bits of plastic yes it can work  

 

Absolutely right, it's obvious when the seal has properly blown, then you get it sorted, this method is to clean and re-seat and ultimately to find out if the seal has really gone. If this doesn't work, replace it.

[Guest Mac750]

1 hour ago, trisaki said:

Speaking as a mot tester and motorcyclist for many a year please if you have oil running  down your fork legs get the job done properly  coz what is further down the fork legs - yes that big plate called a brake disc for slowing you down but it doesn't work when covered in oil   - if it's just a slight mist of oil fine have a go with bits of plastic yes it can work  

Wouldn't condone any of the above but as a skint student back in the day these was Bodges ( for that's what they were) to get you home. Or I'm my case keep me mobile until I could afford a set of seals. Most bikes back then had drum brakes 😀

[Guest Bob]

On 18/06/2017 at 09:26, Mac750 said:

Wouldn't condone any of the above but as a skint student back in the day these was Bodges ( for that's what they were) to get you home. Or I'm my case keep me mobile until I could afford a set of seals. Most bikes back then had drum brakes 😀

 

I've got a BSA Bantam in my collection. The hub grease nipple and felt washer "seal" almost guarantees that oil ends up on the drum braking surface... Not that it makes a whole heap of difference to how well they perform anyway!

[bazza 3,629]

On 19/06/2017 at 20:47, Bob said:

 

I've got a BSA Bantam in my collection. The hub grease nipple and felt washer "seal" almost guarantees that oil ends up on the drum braking surface... Not that it makes a whole heap of difference to how well they perform anyway!

Grease nipple- i remember those - just ! So why arent they fitted any more? I suppose the grease makers would say that their "product is good for the life of the part" but thinking say head bearings- wouldn't it be nice to squirt in a bit once a year? also wheel bearings - yes I know fitting a nipple would be really difficult but maybe possible.

Bob I read recently that George Todd died - as a yoof i got some of his tuning bits for my Bantam. He managed to get one to do 125mph on IOM - good grief, think of that with the little drum brakes!

[Guest sykospain]

Handy Hints - what a good idea for a mini-section.

The most popular phone-in show that we ever did on the radio was called Handy Hints, with hundreds of callers queuing up on the studio's incoming lines every Friday lunchtime, dying to pass on their favourite tip for things like getting stains off suede shoes - use a banana skin was favourite.

The best caller I ever had asked,  "How do you get Evo-Stik off a parrot ?"

In a flash of inspiration i replied, "Well, if it's holding tightly onto the tin, ask it nicely."

An hour or so later a guy appeared at reception to say when he'd heard that comment he nearly drove off the road.

[davelondon 48]

nice timing, just been told my rh fork is leaking, thats its okay and safe but at some point it willl go?

 

how much mollay £ will a replacement srt me back