[CalebPhotographer]

So I was riding today and noticed that oil seems to be seeping out of my front left fork.



What is this from? How important is it? What do I do to stop it?

 

[CalebPhotographer]

What!!!! level 10 importance?! Please explain!!

 

[Shep]

Any fault with the front system on a motorcycle is,"Life Critical" IMNSHO.On a motorcycle you need the front end as near to 100% as possible inc forks/tyres/brakes etc.If you have a fork oil leak get is fixed or at some point it will bite you in the A** possibly big time.



Use the search function for fork seal replacement.





The difference between two wheels on the ground and four wheels in car is NOT two wheels

 

[CalebPhotographer]

Any fault with the front system on a motorcycle is,"Life Critical" IMNSHO.On a motorcycle you need the front end as near to 100% as possible inc forks/tyres/brakes etc.If you have a fork oil leak get is fixed or at some point it will bite you in the A** possibly big time.



Use the search function for fork seal replacement.





The difference between two wheels on the ground and four wheels in car is NOT two wheels

How could this go against me? I just sent an email to the local repair shop, but I have work 35 miles away, and my bike is my only transportation. I need to know possible symptoms to be looking out for that could happen from this leak.

 

[Shep]

How could this go against me? I just sent an email to the local repair shop, but I have work 35 miles away, and my bike is my only transportation. I need to know possible symptoms to be looking out for that could happen from this leak.

Keep an eye on your front end bottoming out and the bike handling weird.It's one of those things that can creep up on you to get worse or just go.You may well be fine for a while but as stated front ends on Motorcycles are very very important.I've had a fork seal totally go and the bike became a dog on the slightest bump with the front end became unsure.It's not a big job to do yourself and the replacement parts are not expensive.

 

[CalebPhotographer]

Keep an eye on your front end bottoming out and the bike handling weird.It's one of those things that can creep up on you to get worse or just go.You may well be fine for a while but as stated front ends on Motorcycles are very very important.I've had a fork seal totally go and the bike became a dog on the slightest bump with the front end became unsure.It's not a big job to do yourself and the replacement parts are not expensive.

Thanks for the reply Shep. I would do it myself, but I'm backdue sealing up my crankcase (not airtight) and getting a new rotor and drum brake haha. Working 60+hours keeps me busy.

 

[Blindstitch]

carry a rag with you and wipe off the oil as you don't want that crap on your tires. Be careful and get the parts to fix the job and find the time to do at least the leaker but both would be better. If it was an 80 you could do it in 30 minutes but since it's a 81 i'm not sure on the time.

 

[lucky]

if he has the air forks plan on a hour or 2 unless he runs into some problems like i did..........

 

[Toehead]

Thanks for the reply Shep. I would do it myself, but I'm backdue sealing up my crankcase (not airtight) and getting a new rotor and drum brake haha. Working 60+hours keeps me busy.

Sealing your crankcase?

 

[CalebPhotographer]

Sealing your crankcase?

Yes. It isn't airtight due to a stripped bolt so I was going to put some high heat silicon sealant around the problem area. That along with some heat wrap on my exhaust would probably be good. But as it is now in stop-and-go traffic my heat almost touches the red while idling.

 

[marshallf3]

Yes. It isn't airtight due to a stripped bolt so I was going to put some high heat silicon sealant around the problem area. That along with some heat wrap on my exhaust would probably be good. But as it is now in stop-and-go traffic my heat almost touches the red while idling.

Almost touches red? Depends on how long the idle is but you might want to look into that too, it could be as simple as the 7V regulator going out or it could be something worse such as missing fan blades, a plugged radiator or a stuck thermostat.

 

[WayneDW]

You don't want the leaking fluid to get on your front brakes, that would be very dangerous. If you tie a rag around the fork just below the leaking seal it will soak up the fluid and keep it off the brakes while you are getting around to fixing the problem.

 

[bandit]

So I was riding today and noticed that oil seems to be seeping out of my front left fork.



What is this from? How important is it? What do I do to stop it?

the parts you need are cheap,and here is a step by step guide.

http://choppercharles.com/cs/forums/37528/showPost.aspx

 

[Panther]

Some people I know have let the fork leak until it stops and then keep riding after.

It isn't as good over bumps and handling, but it isn't like the wheel will fall off.

Vermin on ADV had leaking seals on his PC800, so he drill a small hole in the bottom of both forks, drained them, and then road for tons of miles, detroit to SoCal, SoCal to alaska, colorado to mexico and back. (he loaned the bike out for the AK to SoCal to AZ to CO legs)



If it isn't contaminating your front brake pads, you can ride a long time on leaking fork seals.

I fix mine as soon as I can though. I like good handling, and a smoother ride.

 

[bandit]

Some people I know have let the fork leak until it stops and then keep riding after.

It isn't as good over bumps and handling, but it isn't like the wheel will fall off.

Vermin on ADV had leaking seals on his PC800, so he drill a small hole in the bottom of both forks, drained them, and then road for tons of miles, detroit to SoCal, SoCal to alaska, colorado to mexico and back. (he loaned the bike out for the AK to SoCal to AZ to CO legs)



If it isn't contaminating your front brake pads, you can ride a long time on leaking fork seals.

I fix mine as soon as I can though. I like good handling, and a smoother ride.

the problem i see there is balance panther.if one fork is not leaking and the other is,and quite badly i assume,then surely the handling will be way out when one fork possible drains out.

just my thoughts

 

[marshallf3]

If it's just oil seems to be seeping out then I doubt you're in any danger if it's a slow amount that takes a while to show back up after you've wiped it off. Mine were seeping a little when I got it and I rode it for a year that way - and who knows how long they had been leaking before that?



As the seals wear a little gets through but it definitely means it's time to replace them. Bought a set of Pyramid seals from TAS or eBay or ?? and it took CXOkie about an hour to install them by himself. Didn't replace the upper "dust boots" as they were still in good shape.



I think you can still get the seals at a Honda dealer as well, might even be cheaper than online. Just get the frnt end of the bike off the ground enough to remove the front wheel, remove the forks and go from there. Gives you the perfect time to refill with good 20 wt fork oil once they're back together.