Leaking Fork Seal?

[linuxology_imp]

How can one tell if they have a leaking fork seal? If one sees oil on the shiny parts of the fork shock while riding is that a sign of leaking fork? How urgent is it to get it to a shop? In other words can it wait a few weeks. Never had one, but think i may have one on the CB at 8000 miles :, (

[the Ferret]

Usually there is a visible dirty ring higher on the fork tube where the suspension action pushed it, or in the case of a really bad leak oil will run down the lower fork tube.

[jedd_imp]

It'd look like this:


and this


and it's not a critical thing to get serviced right away.
I've gone as long as letting my fork seal leak fluid for 6 months before replacing my seal.

[olekzap_imp]

I had a leaking fork seal on my Shadow 600. Being in college at the time, I couldn't afford to fix it. Rode it with one for 6 months before fixing it and didn't have any problems. It was pretty bad too, leaking down the lower part of the fork. It was on the opposite side of the fork from the front brake though so it didn't affect braking at all. Seeing how the CB has two front discs, may want to make sure it doesn't leak onto the rotor.

[Toddman_imp]

Fork seals are the devil. I've had bikes go forever not having to replace one but sometimes they get a bit of dirt in them and they leak. There are cleaners that cost about 25 bucks that slide down between the seal and the fork to dislodge any debris. It's worth a try.

[redbirds_imp]

A short strip of camera film can be slipped under the edge of the seal to dislodge particles that are causing a seal to leak. If the seal is damaged it will need be replaced.

[LongRanger_imp]

Agree with the camera film, but is it even available for sale anymore? I haven't seen any of those ubiquitous yellow Kodak signs for a decade! And I'm a curmudgeon.

[redbirds_imp]

Agree with the camera film, but is it even available for sale anymore? I haven't seen any of those ubiquitous yellow Kodak signs for a decade! And I'm a curmudgeon.

Every curmudgeon should have some old negatives about.

For the sake of clarity for younger forum members, in this sense negatives do not infer vices or character flaws are inherit in curmudgeons.

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

Fork tubes can get nicked by stones causing a burr that can ruin a seal as well.
Always check, otherwise your new seal may not last very long either.

[Django]

Agree with the camera film, but is it even available for sale anymore? I haven't seen any of those ubiquitous yellow Kodak signs for a decade! And I'm a curmudgeon.

Better to use one of these: