I have a 2003 gsxr 1000 with a leaking front fork. Both the forks were rebuilt about 2k miles ago, and one is leaking again.
I'm a fairly handy car mechanic, but I've never worked on a bike, can I buy a stand and do this myself, or should I take it in?
Since it's already been rebuilt once, should I just buy a new fork/forks???
thanks!
2007-11-06 03:38:51 · 7 answers · asked by Nate 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
(i don't do wheelies... much)
2007-11-06 04:26:30 · update #1
It is probably leaking again because the coating on the fork is damaged – stone chips, corrosion, possibly even slightly bent, you can get them refurbished if that is the case; it is possible that the seal was poorly mounted and could be reset – it is unlikely to have failed in such a short time unless you have been landing heavy wheelies, however it is possible that it could need replacing. A new set of forks will fix it but will be an expensive option.
2007-11-06 04:00:57 · answer #1 · answered by Tim D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have nothing to loose so try this. You say you can work on cars so you must be mechanically inclined. Get a length of film negative. Remove the dust cover on the fork tube. Place the negative on the for tube and push it up into the seal and make sure it penetrates under the seal lip. Work it all the way around the fork tube while moving it up and down. Re-install the dust cover and wipe it clean. Like I said, what do you have to loose? I have an 06 Husky that puked all the oil out of the left tube and was a little upset because I thought it was a little too soon to be replacing the seals. I tried the negative trick, filled it up with oil (it was empty) and it hasn't leaked a drop. Sometimes some dirt or foreign matter of some nature gets stuck in the seal lip and it will leak. Give it a try.
2007-11-07 01:53:26 · answer #2 · answered by shel_bug66 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't need to buy new forks, Forks can leak if they're overfilled, if the seal is shoddy (like when the tech puts it in with a screwdriver instead of a fork seal installer...I've seen this more than once)
You can save yourself some money and pull the tube off yourself and have a reputable shop fill the fork and install the seal properly. Then put the tube back on yourself and you've saved about an hours labour!
2007-11-06 12:51:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to replace your fork tubes, just the seal.
It's not a tough job ,but the seals a bit fragile and need to be installed gently and straight or they'll leak.
I use a piece of plastic pipe and a large washer to push the seal into the fork leg.
Also be sure the seal is well oiled when installing.
Get or make a stand and a manual and do it your self.
2007-11-06 13:19:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im sure if you have a 03 1000 the front wheel isnt staying on the ground.....why would somone want to learn to ride a bike for the purpose it was built...anyways back to your problem...keep the front wheel on the ground and stop slamming the front wheel down! And yes if your a mechanic you sould be able to fix your leaky fork seal problem....but it will come back if you keep slamming the front wheel down.
2007-11-06 12:15:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just get the tool for installing the seal and its an easy job.
2007-11-06 13:36:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yup. buy a stand and a manual and do it yourself. not that hard.
2007-11-06 12:08:43 · answer #7 · answered by thelovebuzzard 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋