Got a 2008 1098s, the fork seals went about 18 months ago so had them replaced. 2 weeks ago i noticed a small amount of oil on the forks again. I don't think 18 months is a long time for a set of seals. What's other peeps experience ?
No, both legs are as clean as a whistle. Both seals have gone at the same time as well, which is very odd in my mind. With other bikes i've had, normally it's just one.
Ohlins seem to pop seals on a regular basis judging by posts on bike forums and bike mags , I have showas on my bike and use it quite hard but have never had a problem, if both seals have gone at the same time then it must be the amount of travel you are putting through them, did the first set go both sides as well.
Have to say as I've said in a previous thread;they seem prone to fail on a regular basis.i've been adviced to keep the bike on a paddock stand to avoid pressure of weight on one side;but apparently when the bike is stood for a while when its moved the seal can stick which is enough to start a leak.also worth applying a little grease around the fork stanchion to help this if bike is to be stood for a while.hope this helps.
The fist set only went on the offside, although i had both seals replaced of course. Could be the amount of travel, but i only have the top nut backed down 3 notches from stock. No, it's never been in a van. The only time it has been tied is when the front tyre was last replaced, and theat was with a strap holding the handlebars.
I was wandering this as well Pheonix. It normally sits on a rear paddock stand when in garage. The longest it might stay in the garage is 2 or maybe 3 weeks before i go out on it, even over the winter.
. Lol......................i'd be getting withdrawl symptoms if it was sat for months. It gets well used lol
Have heard the same and to back it up my 916 has 1198S Ohlins forks on which the seals have recently started leaking (less than 3 years old) but the previous (OEM) Showa forks never leaked in 12 years use. Have heard it said that it is because the Ohlins seals are loose to reduce stiction?...
Loose seals made me think of my downhill mountainbiking days - a common MX trick we borrowed was to remove the spring from around the fork dust seal allowing less stiction & a freer fork action? Anything to keep your face out of the floor!
Have you got a front paddock stand? Would take the weight bias off the front end, plus would mean no flat spot pressed into your front tyre? Makes checking your oil easy too!
Baring in mind winter is just around the corner (how depressing), how would you suggest protecting the seals when the bike parked up between November and March?
As i said,on paddock stand and smear of grease around forks edge of seal to help with seal sticking .
+1 Be careful to use a grease that wont attack the rubber, cause it to crack or swell up etc? Wickes etc do a silicone lube designed to help slip on white plastic pipe fittings, Im sure your local chemist/supermarket will sell another household rubber-safe lube too.
i had 2 sets of new seals on ohlins road a track forks in 18 months until i was reccomended food grade silicon spray by kais. its cheap (8 quid a can) works wonders if the bike hasnt moved for a while, cover everything around the forks against overspray, then gently prise the dust seals down and spray up into the seal and over the rest of the bottom of the around the the stanchion, gently pull the bike up before pushing downand up again a few times to work the silicon behind the seals and to ensure they dont roll in on themselves and split. if you leave it for an half and hour or so to dry you can then wipe of any excess. you will then have nice free moving forks and the seals dont split. if you wash your bike often re-apply it regularly putoline ptfe cable gaurd spray is supposed to be ok too (so say kais) but never used myself
I've heard the same thing. I use Maxton Suspension for the 1098s and the DD bikes, they do the usual servicing as well as manufacturing their own kit. I've had many a long chat with Richard and he says the same, the tolerances the Ohlins work to mean there may well be 'slight' weeping, it's nothing serious, in his words 'the better the forks, the worse it is'. I would recommend getting in touch with Kais; road suspension or Harris; Ohlins Suspension Both are Ohlins specialists and will be able to tell you if there's a problem or not.
