Author Topic: Forks leaking  (Read 1966 times)

Bogie

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Forks leaking
« on: June 01, 2012, 12:33:18 PM »
Hi All

First post here on an excellent forum.

My 500 has leaking forks and it needs new seals.  

Does anyone know the correct oil weight and volume for each leg.

Thanks


axy

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Re: Forks leaking
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2012, 12:56:51 PM »
Hi All

First post here on an excellent forum.

My 500 has leaking forks and it needs new seals.  

Does anyone know the correct oil weight and volume for each leg.

Thanks



Please share mileage with us.
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Bogie

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Re: Forks leaking
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2012, 01:19:20 PM »
Milage is 12500kms. The bike has been stood for approx six months without use, only recently started riding again.

Any info on the fork oil weight/volume?

JustWantToRide

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Re: Forks leaking
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2012, 11:10:00 PM »
6oz per fork.  10 to 15w oil depending on your weight.  I weigh 230lbs and run with 15w.  If I remember correctly - then stock is 8w.
2009 Xciting 500Ri
   52mpg so far

zombie

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Re: Forks leaking
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2012, 11:14:03 PM »
To stop the leak without replacing the seals I use Brake Fluid. Use a tablespoon full in each leg. It softens the seal allowing it to work again. That is unless it is cracked/damaged.
"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."   Bobby Sands...

Wiz

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Re: Forks leaking
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2012, 03:48:57 AM »
I've heard of people replacing the fork oil with Dextran automotive transmission fluid, never tried it myself tho.
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axy

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Re: Forks leaking
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2012, 09:15:55 AM »
I am not contributing to this thread because I have never replaced fork oil since the time I drove Kawasaki, but it is strange that seals and valves are shot at such a low mileage.
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Vivo

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Re: Forks leaking
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2012, 09:24:25 AM »
but it is strange that seals and valves are shot at such a low mileage.

Maybe because his scoot was stored for 6 months and the conditions in storage made his seals dry and cracked.

When I had my house renovated, I stored my other car in a friend's garage for 4 months. When I took it back, the oil seals leaked. I just poured a can of "stop leaK" in the crankcase and the leak stopped.

ailixhomes

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Re: Forks leaking
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2012, 04:40:41 PM »
Take a good look at the forks. Are the fork seals leaking. Physically check this by running your fingers around them, then push down on the handlebars hard...then check again. Your talking big repairs here, plus this indicates a collision...it's just not worth it.

 


 

zombie

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Re: Forks leaking
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2012, 09:52:04 PM »
Rust on the slides/high sustained heat/chemical cleaner reaction will all cause this. Accidents not so much or you would see the results.
"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."   Bobby Sands...

sissy mary

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Re: Forks leaking
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2012, 12:03:21 PM »
I would try the brake fluid program of Mr Z. Does not hurt to try? Looked at the shop manual, man that is one hel-l of a job. :( :-*

zombie

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Re: Forks leaking
« Reply #11 on: June 03, 2012, 09:47:45 PM »
It is actually an easy job it's just all the small sub assemblies that take the time. I've been using brake fluid to soften seals for 30+ years. No more than 1 tablespoon per fork.
"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."   Bobby Sands...

sissy mary

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Re: Forks leaking
« Reply #12 on: June 03, 2012, 10:32:07 PM »
Thats what I mean. You have to take the front half of the bike off to do the job. Its not the forks that are the problem to deal with, the forks are easy, it taking everything apart. :-*

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