Would you replace the fork seals in this situation?

[Guest]

I have a 1982 GS650L that I just put new progressive springs into the forks on. After doing the job and reassembling everything, the fork seals were leaking. After about a 20 minute ride i could see some dripping and oil climbing up the tubes.

I was bummed, and went online to just order the parts. About 70 bucks for new seals, clips, dust boots. It hasn't shipped yet.

In the meantime I heard about this seal mate gadget. Cut up a plastic bottle into the same shape and cleaned the seals, and there's no more leaking as far as I can tell! Maybe they were just dirty? The rubber seemed totally fine to me, no cracks or anything. I did pull out a decent amount of gunk with the "special tool."

I rode it about 30 minutes and tried to really work the suspension, it seems OK... so... should I cancel my order for the seals? Hate the spend the money (and all that effort) if it's unnecessary. Anyone else had a similar experience?

And no, I have no idea if they've ever been replaced . Bike has 38k on it, only a few thousand of those are me.

[mmattockx]

Personally, if they aren't leaking I wouldn't change them. I have used a similar tool to the seal mate on my MX bike when some dirt got under a seal and the seal lived for a couple more seasons after it was cleaned out. The worst that will happen is you will end up re-ordering your seals and other bits in a few weeks and changing the seals then.


Mark

[Grimly]

If it's re-sealed with the dirt gone, I'd leave it to see how long it lasts.
I always fit gaiters to forks, and avoid most of that trouble nowadays.

[gsrick]

What they said.

[bccap]

Replacing the seals is the best route... Having said that I have tried the " special tool " trick once and have to admit it worked......

[Rob S.]

I've never done the work myself, but a few mechanics have told me that the seals themselves cost only a few dollars. It's the labor that costs a bundle. Was I misinformed?

[Sandy]

If you plan on keeping the bike long term I'd just put the seals on the shelf and next time they leak or you have the front end apart you can change them. Your fix might last a week it might forever. Nice to have the parts though.

[Steve]

I always fit gaiters to forks, and avoid most of that trouble nowadays.

I thought about installing gaiters on my forks. Yes, they do protect, but they also HIDE. It's not so obvious when a leak starts, you have to wait until you (maybe) see the dribble of oil running down the fork tube.

Several years ago, I saw some deflectors on Brian Wringer's bike that looked a lot like the ones on my Goldwing. The vendor where he purchased them no longer carries them, I did a Google search and found some. Not very expensive and easy to mount, they still allow a quick visual inspection of the forks.



.

[alke46]

Looks like the same thing I have on my Honda. Came that way from the factory as far as I know.

Edit; I've had the bike for 22 years and have never had a leak.

[rphillips]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it till it is!! The order is the decision, My luck, cancel the order & you'll probably need to reorder shortly, or get the parts & put them on the shelf, & you'll probably never need them. But I'd certainly not change them if they aren't leaking. Just my opinion.

[exzachtly1]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it till it is!! The order is the decision, My luck, cancel the order & you'll probably need to reorder shortly, or get the parts & put them on the shelf, & you'll probably never need them. But I'd certainly not change them if they aren't leaking. Just my opinion.

Haha ohhhh I thought I was the only one with this problem. I do hate to leave 70 dollars worth of parts sitting on the shelf unused, but like you said... I also hate to do the work if it's not needed. And with the time it takes to get OEM parts. Yeesh.

I actually placed three orders -
1) The OEM bits for the top of the forks (air valve, spring seat, o-rings, clips) for about 50 bucks
2) The OEM seals, dust caps, clips for the seal job, about 70 bucks
3) Aftermarket seal + dust cap kit from ebay, 20 bucks (I was thinking I would use these and cancel the more expensive OEM order) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fork-Dust-S...72.m2749.l2649

Orders 1 and 2 haven't shipped yet and I'm thinking I don't need either of them. Was just thinking originally it would be nice to freshen things up and maybe have some extra parts on hand.

The brand of the seals is "4into1"... I think I might know the answer but does anyone have experience with aftermarket vs. OEM? Am I wasting my time with aftermarket seals?

[Gorminrider]

I do ok with aftermarket seals IF I install them correctly the first time....that is, I admit I've screwed up once and had to "retry" and that's a fail.

I thought about installing gaiters on my forks. Yes, they do protect, but they also HIDE. It's not so obvious when a leak starts

Yes, sort of. But I can pull mine down from the top and look. Also, I have airholes at the bottom/back so any leak will show up though maybe not immediately. and more: although mine have pull-ties at the bottom, I could use "re-useable" pull ties to make a lower check easier...these defences maybe merely asides from the Overall sense I could tell when a seal leaks when riding...the bike did feel different even before I noticed all the greasiness and bugs and dust sticking to the lower fork .

[Wingsconsin]

Let the order show up and keep the parts on a shelf -
Ready to do when you WANT to rather than when you HAVE to.
It took 2+ years but I finally redid mine recently (for the second time)
Finally got them right and now they don't leak

4 weeks later I had to d my Goldwing --
Blew a seal and had fork oil all over the place --
Underside of the bike, my left foot, blowing up onto the fairing adn windscreen and my faceshield-
YUCK - waddamess --

[mmattockx]

I've never done the work myself, but a few mechanics have told me that the seals themselves cost only a few dollars. It's the labor that costs a bundle. Was I misinformed?

I take it that OP ordered OEM seals, which are a bit more expensive than aftermarket (Partzilla says $15 each for OEM seals for my 82 1100E) but he also ordered new dust covers and spring clips as well and that all added up to $70.


Mark

[bwringer]

OEM seals are by far the best. It's not even close. I've learned through experience that it's simply not worth farting around with aftermarket fork seals.

You'll also note that OP ordered up new clips -- excellent idea, since one common cause of fork seal leaks is rust particles from corroded clips.

Yeah, I'd just keep them on the shelf. Yours are OK for now after being cleaned out, but they're somewhat damaged and 37 years old. They'll leak again.