Fork seals, what to expect from them.

[Athame57]

The fork seals I have on my current bike, a CB400F2 I've had for about 15,000 miles and seven years the longest I've owned any one bike. I haven't a clue what these seals have done before my watch began. I've seen 52,000 on one new bike in a year as a dispatch rider but that's a different test.
Should I let a sleeping dog lie or is it high time I changed them ahead of failure?

[Nurse Julie]

If theres no sign of weepage, leakage or seepage, leave them alone George. It's the usually rust or pitting on the forks that causes a leak around the seal.

[Athame57]

If theres no sign of weepage, leakage or seepage, leave them alone George. It's the usually rust or pitting on the forks that causes a leak around the seal.

Thanks for this Julie, I won't touch anything then! 

[ST1100]

It's the usually rust or pitting on the forks that causes a leak around the seal.

Dried bugs-plash is also notorious...
And worn out fork-bushings or fork bottoms, allowing lateral play...

[Spitfire]

I'm with Julie, if its not broke don't fix it.

Cheers

Dennis