Platbrak
Race Dog
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2007
- Messages
- 1,068
- Reaction score
- 3
- Location
- Pretoria, South Africa
- Bike
- Vespa (all models)
I have seen several threads on fork seals but I need to share my experience with you.
I use my bike every day to commute to work. It is now the rainy season here so every morning and most afternoons it is a wet ride for me. When I reached home on Friday I gave the bike a quick glance over and noticed oil leaking from the left side fork. It wasn't raining during the afternoon so the bike was dry. I immediately got worried and started searching for the fork seal threads. Somebody, think it was Michnus, mentioned that it could be dirt stuck in the seals causing the leak. I went out with the rags and gave the stachions a good clean. There was a lot of sandy grit stuck to it that was flung up from the wet road during the morning's ride. I could see how the dust covers could not cope with displacing the mud and muck, especially now that it was dry. After a thourough clean-up the problem was solved! I also gave it a test ride and the oil leak has dissapeared. I lifted the dust covers using a Swiss Army knife's tin opener. It is just the right thickness to easily lift them out. I cleaned all the muck out and fortunately it seems as if there is no permanent damage.
I have not seen it anywhere or may have missed it, but I think one should give the stachions a quick clean before you ride, especially if your previous ride was in wet conditions. It could make the seals last much longer.
I use my bike every day to commute to work. It is now the rainy season here so every morning and most afternoons it is a wet ride for me. When I reached home on Friday I gave the bike a quick glance over and noticed oil leaking from the left side fork. It wasn't raining during the afternoon so the bike was dry. I immediately got worried and started searching for the fork seal threads. Somebody, think it was Michnus, mentioned that it could be dirt stuck in the seals causing the leak. I went out with the rags and gave the stachions a good clean. There was a lot of sandy grit stuck to it that was flung up from the wet road during the morning's ride. I could see how the dust covers could not cope with displacing the mud and muck, especially now that it was dry. After a thourough clean-up the problem was solved! I also gave it a test ride and the oil leak has dissapeared. I lifted the dust covers using a Swiss Army knife's tin opener. It is just the right thickness to easily lift them out. I cleaned all the muck out and fortunately it seems as if there is no permanent damage.
I have not seen it anywhere or may have missed it, but I think one should give the stachions a quick clean before you ride, especially if your previous ride was in wet conditions. It could make the seals last much longer.
