really good fork seals wanted

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fastback

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Hi folks,

I seem to burst a fork seal a season, and rebuilding my forks is becomming an annual chore. The rebuild is a pain so I humbly solicit your sources of never fading fork seals!

My forks are new, oil fresh, paper gasket installed - yet each year I have oil dribbling down one or both of my sliders.
Is there a brand or supplier that you recommend?

Thanks!

Here is last years degucking..... a tooth brush really gets things clean in there.
really good fork seals wanted


all clean
really good fork seals wanted



Ready to leak again...
really good fork seals wanted
 
I have no personal experience with various fork seals - I have heard folks recommend the "Leak Proof" ones but that's hearsay to me. But if you're going through this annually, you might want to invest in a pair of gaiters ($18 from Old Britts) this time around. With the forks off to install the seals, it's no extra effort.

They look good too, in my opinion.

FWIW - Brian
 
Thanks Brian,
I've got gaiters on! Anyone used those "leak proof"seals?
Are all seals the same?

really good fork seals wanted
 
I installed the leakproofs...think in 81 and gaitors, which keep the dirt/water off the tubes so it can't rust and destroy the seals. The gaitors were pretty airtight though, as I remember. Had to notch a few holes into the outside edge of a couple ribs...to let a bit of air pass to keep them from ballooning out every time the forks compressed...looked like the Michelin man... :lol:

Seals still good, had them also out a couple of times to clean the inside of the tubes or such, and just reinstalled them again. Before using the leakproofs, the original type seals blew every year...as you say... :(

OH! Forgot to mention that I use the Belray oil, with "Seal Swell" additive too. Perhaps that helps.
 
You're not overfilling the forks with oil are you? From memory it's 150cc, but no doubt there's someone here who knows for sure.
 
pommie john said:
From memory it's 150cc,
Click to expand...

The standard amount is 150cc, although I fill them with *170cc as recommended by Mick Hemmings if I remember correctly, and I've not experienced any leakage problems.

*(SAE20 fork oil -not ATF)
 
Leak proof are the way to go but a slight mod helps them work better. The best score for these I have seen is 3000 miles a year for 15 years no leaks. They out last motors and transmissions. I only have seven years on mine.
File in a set of grooves to leak some oil onto the bottom of the seal.
really good fork seals wanted
 
Thanks,

Keep those tips coming. I use Bell Ray fork oil as shown - exactly 150cc, will try 170cc.

Leak proof here I come...

really good fork seals wanted
'
Norbsa, can you run your logic for the grooves by me?
 
Where does one buy those leak proof seals? I looked with my usuall suppliers last year but all I ever found was the plain old Norton seals. My forks are apart so it is a good time to put in some new seals that hopefully won't leak.
 
These seals float and need oil underneath them so they don't sticks ion. The grooves take the oil pressure from the sliders and keep the seals wet. That's all.
 
That would make sense. I assume the seals are thinner so they can float vertically. Do you still use the paper gasket?

I found this info on the seals to be useful. http://tinyurl.com/6eng4h

Coco,
A quick Google shows they are available from OldBrits, and British Cycle Supply among others.
 
fastback said:
That would make sense. I assume the seals are thinner so they can float vertically. Do you still use the paper gasket?

I found this info on the seals to be useful. http://tinyurl.com/6eng4h

Coco,
A quick Google shows they are available from OldBrits, and British Cycle Supply among others.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I tried a few places and they don't have or are out of stock. I have to order a thing or two from Old Britts so I'l try them as I don't buy from Brit Cycle Supply as they are pricey compared to other guys I buy from.
 
Mitch at Klempf's (507)374-2222 normally keeps them in stock. Dennis Kirk may also have them see their site. No paper gaskets needed.
 
norbsa48503 said:
No paper gaskets needed.
Click to expand...

I didn't know that. I have a new sit kicking around anyway but I didn't know I could leave them out on the leak proof seal. Thank norbsa.
 
norbsa48503 said:
No paper gaskets needed.
Click to expand...

I didn't know that. I have a new sit kicking around anyway but I didn't know I could leave them out on the leak proof seal.
 
One more thing on the leaky seals: I once bought a set of fork stanchions ( in the mid 80s) and they seemed a bit loose in the top bushes, so I measured it all up and the brand new stanchions were 4 thou smaller than the minimum wear limit!
Have you checked the diameter of the stanchions/
 
good point PJ - they do seem to last about half a season, it could be that.

The finish on the forks is not super smooth like a chrome finish, but machined , still smooth though. Could that be it? I did buy the forks from a reputable dealer - can't remember which one at the moment.

Phil
 
Mine came in Norton wrappers from a reputable dealer. they replaced them without a problem and were clearly shocked at what i found.
I guess you need to get the micrometer out.

I would have expected them to have a bright mirror finish.
 
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