Honda-SOHC

Other Stuff => Misc / Open => Topic started by: Athame57 on April 02, 2025, 03:27:48 PM

Title: Fork seals, what to expect from them.
Post by: Athame57 on April 02, 2025, 03:27:48 PM

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? :-\

Title: Re: Fork seals, what to expect from them.
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 02, 2025, 04:26:26 PM

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.

Title: Re: Fork seals, what to expect from them.
Post by: Athame57 on April 02, 2025, 05:35:55 PM

Quote from: Nurse Julie on April 02, 2025, 04:26:26 PM

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!  ;D

Title: Re: Fork seals, what to expect from them.
Post by: ST1100 on April 02, 2025, 06:34:24 PM

Quote from: Nurse Julie on April 02, 2025, 04:26:26 PM

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...

Title: Re: Fork seals, what to expect from them.
Post by: Spitfire on April 02, 2025, 06:56:54 PM

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

Cheers

Dennis