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Fork leg leaks

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:43 am
by Chuey
I have started adding fluids to the bike on the work stand. It is a 1983 R100 that I am putting an 'S' fairing on, making it like an R100CS with minor deviations from stock cosmetics. The fork, which I prepared with the greatest of care, have leaked out their fluid. That is, at least from the right fork leg. Is there a seal that I forgot to put in there? I'm going to cry if I have to take the fork off at this late stage to perform more work on it.

Is there a procedure to seal up the bottom of the fork leg?

Chuey

Re: Fork leg leaks

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:25 am
by ME 109
If your forks are the same as my 81 forks which I think they are, there are two holes in the bottom of the slider that the fluid can come out of.
The little 4mm hex head screw with a copper washer, and the main retaining bolt with a copper washer as well I think??

I'm not aware of any procedure other than screw the bolts up.
Check those washers Chuey.

Re: Fork leg leaks

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:36 pm
by Chuey
ME109, that was it. Thanks. The sealing rings were there but it was almost two years ago that I dialed in the fork and when I put it back together I left the large and small bolts in the bottom untightened. Why did I do that? It was a bad idea and I hope I've learned from it. A glance at the bottom of the fork was not enough to see that they had not been tightened.

Thanks again. That's all it took.

Chuey

Re: Fork leg leaks

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:35 am
by dougie
Chuey wrote:ME109, that was it. Thanks. The sealing rings were there but it was almost two years ago that I dialed in the fork and when I put it back together I left the large and small bolts in the bottom untightened. Why did I do that? It was a bad idea and I hope I've learned from it. A glance at the bottom of the fork was not enough to see that they had not been tightened.
Thanks again. That's all it took.
Chuey
Sometimes, installing bolts but not tightening them until you are sure of everything, is desireable. Especially if you don't want to waste crush washers. But I learned (the hard way) to make a list, otherwise, as time passes and you do other things, you will forget.

Re: Fork leg leaks

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:42 am
by ME 109
dougie wrote: you will forget.
Forget what?

Re: Fork leg leaks

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:49 am
by dougie
ME 109 wrote:
dougie wrote: you will forget.
Forget what?
Sorry Jeff - can't remember. :?

Re: Fork leg leaks

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:11 pm
by Duane Ausherman
LOL, it is so nice to hear that I am not alone in this.

The other day I was at a local coin shop. I know the folks and always chat a bit. I had taken in some silver dollars for an informal appraisal. I walked out and left the bag on the counter. I called back a couple of hours later and when she heard my name, said, "Yes, we found your dollars and they are waiting for you." I could hear her pride along with "you are an idiot"

I just had to have some fun with this. I went back to retrieve my bag. Of course she has this very friendly, but smug look. I approached the guy and said something like this. "It would appear that I forgot my bag, but the truth is that I just wanted an excuse to come back and see Dolores." She has a family etc, but is a super person and loads of fun. She always has a smile for me as I flirt with her. Of course I said this loud enough so that she could hear it.

His answer was "Of course, I don't blame you one bit."

I just hate it when I walk out and leave $1000+ of goods on the counter.

I am not alone.

Re: Fork leg leaks

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 1:17 pm
by Major Softie
ME 109 wrote:
dougie wrote: you will forget.
Forget what?
Gear lube in the transmission?

Re: Fork leg leaks

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 5:06 pm
by Deleted User 287
Major Softie wrote:
ME 109 wrote:
dougie wrote: you will forget.
Forget what?
Gear lube in the transmission?
I am here to teach. :ugeek: