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18k Miles and 1 weeping fork seal

motowfo

motowfo

Tuned and Synch'ed
GT Contributor
Joined
Feb 5, 2009
Messages
61
My 09 Stelvio has decided to weep... The right front fork seal is weeping onto the fork leg and, of course, the bike is out of warranty.

The bike has been from GA to AK and back (by PO) and I gladly took the bike home with me with only 16k miles. Now with 18k I've found a need to order new seals.

Anyone else finding this to be an issue? (No, this bike has not been off-roaded, pot holed, etc.)

I figured I'd go ahead and replace both seals while I had it apart.

Rick
 
Scheduled replacement at 6,000 mi and every 12,000 after. I'm at 17,000 mi now and feel guilty that the oil hasn't been changed. I wouldn't do a seal unless they start leaking, and then both, but believe the oil should be on the book schedule at a minimum. Still not sure what the appropriate weight is, however.
 
Yeah,

I was a little "surprised" :eek:hmy: at the cost of the seal "kit". I ordered two so I guess I'll be spending next Saturday doing fork maintenance vs ridin'. :roll:

I appreciate the comments and info!

Campagman said:
Left side fork at 8000 miles ona 08 model, £30 for the seal kit and 1-2hrs labour :cry:
Click to expand...
 
Once you put the new seals in, go for a set of these.

denniskirk.com/jsp/product_c ... Id=&mmyId=

I've never had to replace seals on a bike with these installed. I understand you may find then for less elsewhere, but I don't know another source.
 
John - are you talking about the outer fork seals, the ones fastened with a sort of spiral/spring fastener? Doesn't one change them anyway when changing the fork oil - or if not, are they to be replaced ASAP when they start to rub off?
 
RJVB said:
John - are you talking about the outer fork seals, the ones fastened with a sort of spiral/spring fastener? Doesn't one change them anyway when changing the fork oil - or if not, are they to be replaced ASAP when they start to rub off?
Click to expand...

If it is like the EV (haven't run across a Stelvio yet) the outer "seal" is just a dust cover. No need to change any of the "seal" parts unless you develop a problem. Using the gaiters drastically reduces problems.
 
I suppose the Stelvio isn't any different than the Breva/1200S/Norge (which I have and I presume you encountered). Good news, then - though I'll be getting new oil and a new lower fork leg anyway - cost of the seals will be negligeable w.r.t that :)
 
john zibell said:
Once you put the new seals in, go for a set of these.

denniskirk.com/jsp/product_c ... Id=&mmyId=

I've never had to replace seals on a bike with these installed. I understand you may find then for less elsewhere, but I don't know another source.
Click to expand...

Greetings John, I just read your posting about fork seals for the Stelvio, I followed the link to the Dennis Kirk page but it doesn't specify the fork diameter, mine is a 2010 manufactured in 2009 and as per my measurements and specs, it has 50mm stanchions. Any suggestions? Thank you.
 
Cleaning with Seal Mate or a piece of 35mm film can buy you some time. My Norge started leaking around 30,000 km and I cleaned it with Seal Mate. Around 38,000 km I had the seals changed when I installed the Matris fork kit but it wasn't leaking again yet.
 
Raven said:
Cleaning with Seal Mate or a piece of 35mm film can buy you some time. My Norge started leaking around 30,000 km and I cleaned it with Seal Mate. Around 38,000 km I had the seals changed when I installed the Matris fork kit but it wasn't leaking again yet.
Click to expand...
I tried it... it didn't work... thank you though
 
Try K-Tech suspension for the seals. They have them manufactured in the same place at the same place as all the top Japanese suspension companies. High quality seals. Before you change them check for any damage on the fork leg as stone chip cuts the seal. If no damage try a clean 1st. Fine feeler gauge pushed up between the seal and the leg and wash out with brake cleaner. Normally if the there is no damage on the seal you can remove and tighten the spring inside the seal as the seal will last a lot longer
 
Carlos Semeghini said:
I tried it... it didn't work... thank you though
Click to expand...
There is an art to getting resolution of your leak with a Seal Mate. I have yet to be unable to stop a fork seal weep with this tool when used correctly.

  1. Wipe all debris and muck off of the tube and slider. I use a spray cleaner/polish like ProtectAll and micro-fiber rags.
  2. Use the tool going only 1 direction all the way around the slider. Remove and wipe the tool absolutely clean after each rotation. Continue this until NO DEBRIS OR GRIT whatsoever comes out on the tool after a cleaning pass. Don’t trust your eyes only! Wipe the end of the tool off between your thumb and index finger, and FEEL the super fine grit and grime! Just because you think you don’t see anything, but the nerves in your finger tips will tell you otherwise!
  3. Now, once you get a clean tool with no debris after making a pass, hold the front brake and vigorously bounch the suspension up and down several times.
  4. Repeat steps 1-3 continuing to only go in the 1 direction until no debris or grit of any kind shows up on the removed tool 3 times in a row.
  5. Now, finally, reinsert the tool the opposite direction, and repeat steps 1-4 now going the opposite direction from the first set of cleanings.
  6. Once the tool comes out completely grit and grime free for 3 cleaning passes, repeat step 1.
  7. Smile. You are done!
In 99.9% of the times I have done this to countless motorcycles, the leak has stopped.

The trick is slow, careful, thorough cleaning coupled with active bouncing of the suspension. It is this vigorous bouncing of the fork suspension that is integral to the cleaning process!

You have to remove all of the micro debris from the seal in one direction, then and only then, repeat the process in the opposite direction.

Try it. You have nothing to loose but the leak!

Good Luck!
 
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