hey guys,
I've a question about my fork seals... I had a really bad leak over the summer (i.e. wasnt a little drip drip here and there, most of my oil from one leg was gone... and the other leg was mildly leaking) the bike is a '91 w/ ~17000 miles... I made an attempt to install new seals on both legs, (and took the opportunity to throw in some progressive springs and 15W oil).. the improved performance was sweet... but now the legs are leaking again and only after a few hundred miles... so, is it most likely the case that I wasn't careful enough sliding the new seals on, or can this be indicative of a bigger problem going on with the legs themselves.. (it was my first time attempting to disassemble to forks, so I'm guessing I just screwed up...)
lemme know what you think.
thanx
Assuming the fork leg isn't pitted or scratched...
You have to be careful sliding the new seal onto the top of the upper tube. Most aren't smooth and any burrs or rough edges will ruin the seal's lip.
I take a 6"x6" piece of a plastic shopping bag and put it over the top of the upper tube. Oil up the new seal and slip it over the plastic onto the tube. Then cut the plastic so that you can drag the plastic and seal down the leg without the seal touching the metal until you are ready to seat in it's place in the lower leg.
good luck,
James
ok then.... I did actually use a plastic bag over the upper tube, but I just used that to get the seal around the tube... once it was on I slid the seal off of the plastic and continued to slide it down on the tube itself.... so I will be trying it again in the near future.. this time using your advice. thanks jamesG