My Honda Shadow fork seals have been leaking for several months. Usually I could only notice some light rings but now it's a little bit more. It's not terrible but just wondering if should be more concerned.
2007-08-28 14:02:46 · 8 answers · asked by fly or die 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Change them. It's fairly easy.
One bad hit & the seal can let go dumping oil down the tube, and worse, on your brake & tire.
Look at the marks on the tube, if they are milky, you have water mixed with the oil...see first 2 words.
2007-08-28 14:27:31 · answer #1 · answered by BIKERSTAG 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No serious consequence, as long as the oil isnt leaking into ur brake pads. Suspension oil (as most lubricating oils) can be corrosive.
The front end does not "dive" to one side. Unless maybe you are breaking the sound barrier then you hit the front brakes.
For the front end to dive to one side, alot of things have to bend and break or give way first.
Of course, there is the possibility that one side of the suspension might be doing alot more work, but thats only if your fork oil is empty completely, which is nearly impossible to attain no matter how long its left to leak, unless you are using the Shadow for extreme off roading (why would anybody?).
The oil is for damping the suspension, to prevent the fork from bouncing up and down continuously after hitting a bump, as long as you dont find that happening its ok.
This is my opinion.
2007-08-31 01:03:55 · answer #2 · answered by the game 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You usually don't notice the difference in handling till after you replace the seals because the handling gets worse slowly. One thing no one mentioned is if one of the seals has let one fork to become softer then the other when you hit the front brake the forks want to dive to one side and when you let off the brake it can throw the bike into a tank-slapper
2007-08-29 00:09:50 · answer #3 · answered by Greg P 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It would have to leak for a long, long time before you would probably notice a difference in the way the bike handles. The most serious consequence of ignoring it, however, is for oil leaking onto the front brake rotor. Better safe than sorry, take it to your local shop and have it replaced.
2007-08-28 21:27:48 · answer #4 · answered by caw 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wipe it off. If it's affecting the front handling, then you need to replace those fork seals, and get a fork oil change, right away. Don't ride with your front end bouncing around (been there done that).
2007-08-28 21:55:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Replace them $15.
You life is worth more than that.
Also, it's going to run out of oil eventually. Then you will soon need new forks.
2007-08-29 13:38:22 · answer #6 · answered by Billy M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aside from the safety reasons, your bike won't pass your states inspection.
Change the seals now and get it over with.
When it's time to get your bike inspected, it won't pass and then you'll have to fix it, or risk the suspension of your registration.
2007-08-28 22:19:21 · answer #7 · answered by guardrailjim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not a good idea to ignore them. stability is all important on these machines.
2007-08-28 21:09:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋