Author Topic: Fix Leaking Fork Seals with Seal Mate (Read 2338 times)

Angus · « **on:** July 23, 2022, 13:37:28 »

Total amateur mechanic here : I have run out of money to pay mechanic to fix my bike. Unfortunately I have a leaking left front fork seal or gasket.
Would this be a big expensive job? Or something an amateur could confidently attempt?
Could I even get away with plugging the hole for a while? What will happen if I do nothing?

Fat Rat · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2022, 13:46:50 »

You could try a Seal Mate (or similar slither of plastic), all they do is fish out any grit/debris that may be stopping your seal from doing its job.

It's worth a go

Fat Rat · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2022, 13:47:47 »

crump · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2022, 23:43:44 »

I've had some success with sealmate, worked on my lads Suzuki and lasted a few years. Worked on my 650 strom for a short time before started leaking again.

Mark Shelley · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2022, 08:32:58 »

I have also had good success with one. How many seals have been changed unnecessarily over the years?

Joe Rocket · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2022, 12:07:29 »

A request. Could someone put a micrometer on the 'tool' and tell us the thickness please?

It can't be difficult to find a semi rigid plastic wrapping to cut one out.

Froglodyte · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2022, 13:17:21 »

35mm camera film

Joe Rocket · « **Reply #7 on:** July 24, 2022, 14:52:16 »

Thanks.

Whiterose · « **Reply #8 on:** July 24, 2022, 15:30:10 »

Plastic milk bottle.

The Doctor 46 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 24, 2022, 16:57:27 »

I'm no mechanic but I have stripped and rebuilt forks before. It's really no big deal but it is awkward so the last time I blew a seal I had a mechanic do it. Can't remember how much it cost but it wasn't expensive in a small garage.

I have never seen the temporary method mentioned above but I'm glad I have now. Bloody potholes in the rain have blown my seals (two different bikes) twice in a year. Good luck with the repair and please let us know how you get on. Tip, watch that Youtube vid before you start and if you decide to strip them, watch another. They are a good teaching aid.

Mr Nick · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2022, 11:16:34 »

Quote from: Froglodyte on July 24, 2022, 13:17:21

35mm camera film

I tried that earlier and can't get it to fit in: am I using the wrong capacity of film?

Whiterose · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2022, 11:34:06 »

Caffs · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2022, 15:52:39 »

Just had mine done £140 all in including removing the forms from the bike. I'm a confident home mechanic but there are a number of special tools required t9 do the job correctly. Shop about, if you remove the forks yourself you should get it done for less than a hundred.

Tintent115 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 27, 2022, 17:36:11 »

Yeah...I paid £150 to have mine done at a local bike shop, I couldn't face trying to get it back miles to the supplying dealer to try & get it done under warranty......

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 27, 2022, 20:12:10 »

I don't think it would've been covered under warranty anyway as you could have hit a pothole etc.

You can use gutter/plumbing pipes and exhaust clamps to install new seals as a tool bodge, but they are still a pain to do. It certainly took me longer than a couple of hours, so £150 isn't too bad for the lack of hassle.

Joe Rocket · « **Reply #15 on:** July 27, 2022, 21:24:07 »

I made my own seal mate 'tool' and sucessfully cured a fork seal weep on my GPX.

Ianmc · « **Reply #16 on:** July 27, 2022, 22:54:25 »

Joe,I have just measured the Sealbuddy that came with a set of fork bushes and seals that I fitted last week.It is 0.3 mm.thick.Ignore the setting on the vernier gauge.

Gert · « **Reply #17 on:** July 28, 2022, 07:35:44 »

If you are thinking of doing the seal replacement yourself, you may want to have a look at https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=34616.0.
The video in reply #13 of the linked thread, links to a video that explains the process on fork seal replacement
If the Suzuki seals are too expensive, I have read that the Honda 51490-MCF-000 may fit. The Honda part number is a kit for a single fork, so you would require an extra kit if you should opt in doing the seals on both forks.
When I did a fork seal replacement on my K6 Wee, with OEM seals, I made use of the guide as shared in https://blacklabadventures.com/2012/04/14/replacing-front-fork-seals/

cooltshirt · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2022, 08:43:25 »

That blacklab link is very detailed, thank you for it.

Angus · « **Reply #19 on:** July 30, 2022, 09:22:05 »

Was quoted 200 quid to replace both fork seals.
So I made a seal cleaner out of a plastic milk box.
There didn't seem to be much dirt in there but gave it a couple of turns with the plastic tool, put the dust cap back on and its now as dry as a bone. No leak. Seems to be cured for now anyway !

Just wondering if the small amount of oil that was lost from left fork, through the leak would matter as now the forks have different oil levels?
Now on to the next job which is to replace the rear brake pads.