Hi All , Ive just come back from a quick blast and noticed the r h s fork seal is leaking oil . The bike has covered 15.5k and is a 2004 model, is this a common problem ? Its going in thursday for a belt change, i will see if the seals can be done at the same time , how much is it likley to cost , if not how hard is it to do ? Would i need special tools ? chase
Unfortunately the fork seals on the Ohlins forks are a bit weak. I've just had a fork seal blow on my Muttley 1000SDS and had the them serviced at BG Motorsport Ltd- Suspensions- Official Ohlins Centre & Official Sachs Service Centre Silverstone. My 749 has Showa forks which are 11 years and 21k miles old on the original seals. Seals will be about £130 and a full service about £200 both inc the dreaded VAT. I did remove the forks and deliver them so figure about 1 hour labour if you get the garage to oblige.
Hi, you have done well if you are still on the original ohlins seals. I have just had mine replaced at 4k miles 2011 1198sp by FTR Suspension in Bury St Edmunds Suffolk at £130 inc. (i removed the fork legs myself) quick turn around time.
Mine started leaking at 16000 Used a seal scraper made from Acrylic sheet. All sorted still dry after another 1000
That may cure the leak, but having the shim stacks stripped and cleaned and the oil changed makes a world of difference. You also have to consider how the air gap has changed with the oil leaking. This will affect the performance of the forks.
04 GSXR 1000 seals are the way ahead seemingly . Did my 03 999s years ago and they were still good when it went my 06R willget the same treatment when they are done . This may help you decide . Oh and loosen the tops whilst they are still tight in the yokes .
It is a common thing to have the Ohlins fork seals leak. I strapped my bike down to a trailer, and pulled the forks down to far, this started a leak There is " better and more robust" seal that you can have fitted. Unless you know what your doing, I'd let a dealer / workshop / specialist do the work.
Heard the Suzuki seals strip the coating from the forks, so be aware... Had mine done about 3 weeks ago but bike had done 5. 5k. Both went at the same time funnily. About 200 quid also..
Mine had a slight leak after winter but the seals were done about 2 years ago. I removed the dust seal and with very thin plastic cleaned the seal and ran some red rubber grease up and around to reseal and jobs a good un. Although I just think mine had a little bit of shite in it
Or try this handy tool Seal Mate Tool / Sealmate Fix Leaking Fork Seals Quick & Easy Fast & Affordable | eBay
Well i like the sound of this (cheap ) so its the first one to try . I will update , i have some of this in the garage , if i can find it ! I went in Halfords on the way home , yes you guessed - they dont stock it any more , well i couldnt find any and the cheerful member of staff told me they dont stock it . Thats assuming he knew what it was .
I also like the look of this as its also cheap , 1 is on order thank you all so far . I have a few options so far . On the suject of the forks , can the oil be changed with the forks in situ or do they have to come out anyway ?
They will have to come out as you need to measure the air gap precisely from the top of the fork leg.
Modern bikes hah , back inthe day we just put oil in the forks , a measured amount mind you , if you wanted to alter the damping - put in some thicker oil
Anyone sugest an easy way of removing the dust seals? I tried with a small screwdriver the other week but didnt seem to want to shift without damaging them.
I got mine out (and the dust seals) last night , came out easy using a screwdriver to prize them out working round a little bit at a time . Went back in buy pushing them up wards .
i pushed/tapped a screwdriver blade between the fork leg and seal and twisted the blade sideways , moving slowly round doing a bit at a time . They went back in easy as they were greased . Perhaps some one has glued them in !!!
Since adding the red rubber grease i have ridden the bike twice ,1st time 20 miles and there was a small weep , 2nd time yesterday 50 miles and dry when i got home . So its looking promising . As an aside St Neots motor cycles did the timing belts yesterday for in my opinion a reasonable price . 1 cylinder was 1 tooth out ! anyway they seem a good friendly bunch over there and i will use them again . Keep you all posted with regard to the seal leak . I have also got the little tool as advised above if i need to try anything else .
Good news so far , went for a good ride last night and no seal leakage whatsoever . I havnt used the thin plastic tool for seal cleaning , just the red rubber grease . Thanks to all .
