(04-03-13, 11:13 PM)Yamazer-92 link Wrote: Yeah I thought it was likely the forks, which brings me back to the dilemma I put up in a whole new thread ages ago :\ Yeah I'll try out the heavier fork oil when the leaking fork has been repaired / replaced. Cheers
Before you go taking off your fork and replacing the seal, here's a little tip that might save you some time and money.
Stick about a 0.1 feeler gauge down past the dust seal and right into the fork seal and work the gauge (by pulling) all around the whole fork leg. If you haven't a feeler gauge, try to use a stiff business card. A lot of the time there is just only just a build up of dirt/dust after getting past the dust seal and has also worked its way inside the fork seal too. All you are doing it clearing this trapped dust/dirt so the seal can seat back onto the fork leg again.
I know what you are thinking!!....Just like me, I thought it was a mad cap idea at first. I was on the verge of replacing both seals of my forks a while ago. Both had what I would call substantial enough leaks.
I tried this trick for the laugh thinking that it was a mad cap idea and that a stiff business card couldn't possibly get past the seals anyway. The business card did get past both seals, so I treated this idea with a bit more respect and used a feeler gauge for a proper job.
I noticed a lot of dirt after been dislodged during this procedure and was amazed. I then wiped down the fork leg when I was finished and drove the bike for a day or two while monitoring the situation. The leak instantly got less after the first ride, up to a point where there was only a tiny film of oil was on the fork leg. A big improvement and I would have settled for that. But after the second day, this thin film was completly gone and the the forks and the sealing were like as if I installed brand new seals.
The fork sealed must have settled back down onto the forks by the second day and both seals haven't leaked since.... and that was over 2 months ago now. Although I would have done the job myself, I saved the price of the seals, the oil, and a few hours of labor while I could have been out enjoying riding the bike.