Before you replace fork seals- try this little guy-

[razor02097]

I just made one to see if I could. Took me less than 90 seconds. That tool is more like an impulse item...if it was in a store for $5 maybe.... but the website makes you buy 2 for $8 and charges $2 to ship.


Maybe just me but if I can make a tool and spend the money I saved on something else I would rather do that.

[portdave]

Sure be worth a try if you can make one from a milk carton...

[frostbitevinnie]

Yeah, but they come in many different colors - how many different color 5 gallon buckets do you have Eric?

I can get at least 5!

[derwood]

nice, i ordered 4, fly yellow

[chuck hahn]

Bet it wont work on this Yamaha TX 750 Im doing...sat for nearly 24 years.

[wally]

Some guys on the Buell Forum I am on recommend using old 35mm film - does exactly the same trick as the $10 tool.

[akckhim]

I've cleaned them with a business card and made em stop leaking

[salty_monk]

I used photo negative. Have used the side of a clamshell box before too (little thicker). It won't repair old crusty seals though...

[loud et]

Went on a rough ride with a passenger yesterday, today I notice my seal was leaking ......I just cut a little peice of that clear plastic that the seal products in (the ones you have to open with scissors) and gave it the swipe. No leaks so far after heavy fork pumpin in the garage. Will see after a few days of riding if it stays sealed.

[mcycle-nut]

Interesting! To stop the major gushes of oil, (while waiting for parts), I pop off the dust cover and put a small piece of rag around the fork and then pop the cover back on. Works in a pinch for a limited amount of time.

[gearhead13]

I tried milk jug plastic, packaging material, didnt work for me. too thick to get under the seal. I am living in the digital age, no photo negs around here
I ordered 1 and got 2 for less than $10

[Griffin]

Last week I made one from a milk jug and used it on my GS650E's right fork seal, which was weeping a tiny bit.

After 900+ miles of riding at the Red River Rally (including about 400 hard cornering miles), it's still sealed tightly with no perceptible leaking.

This is one of the single neatest tricks I've learned on this forum. I hate changing fork seals.

[Billy Ricks]

Some guys on the Buell Forum I am on recommend using old 35mm film - does exactly the same trick as the $10 tool.

I was going to mention that until I came upon your response. That's the old tried and true method.

[shwaz]

Maybe not on 30 year old seals, but if you changed your seals, in the last little while and you get a leak this just might be able to save you the need to redo a complete seal job again.... ?

.

doh.

hahhahah wish i'd seen this 2 weeks ago.

seals were replaced by a local shop 11 months ago.
right side started leaking last month.
disassembled both fork legs, replaced fork seals and rebuilt, new fluid.

at least i learned how to do the work though.

i think i know where i can find a milk jug.

[evh]

I was doing this to my fork seals years ago but I just used feeler gauges... Does the same thing...