Front Fork leak

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D-50Dave

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Location
Branford, CT
I noticed that my right front fork has a light coating of oil on the top half, above the rubber seal. Are fork seals a simple enough job for a rudimentary mechanic? Is upgrading the shock while I'm in there much more work or not so much? I'm a pretty sedate rider and have never found the stock suspension wanting, just thinking out load. Thanx for the input, Dave
 
Could be just dirt under the seal. That is if the seal is in good condition and soft. I used those cheap plastic fork seal tool, don't remember the name. Others have made one from a water bottle. Stopped the leak on mine.

Found it.

https://www.ktm-parts.com/AOMC/product/0 ... oCLKrw_wcB
 
I "topped up" the air in the suspension, as I do once or twice mid-season and that's when it started. So, if I form a thin flexible piece of plastic and run it down between the fork and the rubber seal it may stop leaking? The rubeer appears to be in excellent condition. It's lived inside the garage and under a cover for the last 25 years. If that worked, how would I replace the lost oil? Thanx, Dave
 
A little bit of lost oil doesn't seem to be a problem with the Rats Nest atm.
 
[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=192680#p192680:g4ax5twx said:
chilidawg » Today, 1:53 am[/url]":g4ax5twx]
There are lots of ways to replace your fork oil and I guarantee mine is the easiest, cheapest & weirdest.
And that would be...?
 
Tried the plastic tool (made from a Luigi's Italian Ice container) and it still leaks. Not surprising, as I noticed cracks in thew rubber as I was doing the cleaning. Now to decide whether to hand to my dealership or try to do it myself. The research begins. :laptop:
 
Front fork seals are pretty darned easy to replace on an '81. My daughter did ours back in '08 one fork at a time and it only takes about 30 minutes per side.
 
[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=192804#p192804:1cgtahz4 said:
chilidawg » Today, 12:14 am[/url]":1cgtahz4]
Good luck with that dealership, I have no idea where Branford is, but, around here they won't touch anything that's more than 12 years old.
I'm just outside of New Haven, CT. The local dealership, Libby's Motorworld, has always treated me respectfully and done whatever I've asked of them. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.
 
[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=192786#p192786:2695b7wd said:
D-50Dave » Yesterday, 6:05 pm[/url]":2695b7wd]
Tried the plastic tool (made from a Luigi's Italian Ice container) and it still leaks. Not surprising, as I noticed cracks in thew rubber as I was doing the cleaning. Now to decide whether to hand to my dealership or try to do it myself. The research begins. :laptop:

Check out my 2 threads on "The wanderer". i believe i might have pics of my fork rebuild. I know i have a pic of my makeshift tool made from 2 x 4's to remove the top cap which will be under spring pressure . keep all the parts in order. Hope this helps.

download/file.php?id=14929&t=1
 
[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=192795#p192795:2vfa47ao said:
mcgovern61 » Yesterday, 8:55 pm[/url]":2vfa47ao]
Front fork seals are pretty darned easy to replace on an '81. My daughter did ours back in '08 one fork at a time and it only takes about 30 minutes per side.
I was leaning toward paying to have it done, but now I'm thinking I may try to live with it until the end of the season and tackle it in the fall.
 
Here is a great step-by-step and most anyone can do it themselves. If it isn't mentioned loosen the top bolt on the fork, and the bottom hex bolt before you loosen the forks from their clamps. It will avoid you putting the forks on a vice to get them off and scratching your forks. I've changed these on almost all of the bikes I've owned and was scared the first time. Follow directions.

https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=5601

Tons other Wing how-to articles there no matter the year.
 
[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=192811#p192811:3h7t927c said:
D-50Dave » Today, 3:27 am[/url]":3h7t927c]
[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=192795#p192795:3h7t927c said:
mcgovern61 » Yesterday, 8:55 pm[/url]":3h7t927c]
Front fork seals are pretty darned easy to replace on an '81. My daughter did ours back in '08 one fork at a time and it only takes about 30 minutes per side.
I was leaning toward paying to have it done, but now I'm thinking I may try to live with it until the end of the season and tackle it in the fall.
Fork seal fluid tends to leak down and ruin the brakes so be careful.
 
Get intimate with your bike, do your own fork seals. It looks intimidating but its just a bunch of steps to do.
I recommend you read my "stuck fork bolt story" just in case... And, I'll volunteer to make a set of clamping blocks to go in your vise to hold the tubes if needed. If you have the right size hole saw they are easy to cut from a 2ba4.

p.s. wrench, ride, repeat...
 
[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=192822#p192822:1nz6e01m said:
dan filipi » Today, 9:03 am[/url]":1nz6e01m]
[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=192811#p192811:1nz6e01m said:
D-50Dave » Today, 3:27 am[/url]":1nz6e01m]
[url=https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=192795#p192795:1nz6e01m said:
mcgovern61 » Yesterday, 8:55 pm[/url]":1nz6e01m]
Front fork seals are pretty darned easy to replace on an '81. My daughter did ours back in '08 one fork at a time and it only takes about 30 minutes per side.
I was leaning toward paying to have it done, but now I'm thinking I may try to live with it until the end of the season and tackle it in the fall.
Fork seal fluid tends to leak down and ruin the brakes so be careful.
My discs & calipers are covered so the oil isn't getting on them. Thanx, Dave
 
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