Honestly, how bad is it to ride with leaky forks

STAYTRUECREW
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STAYTRUECREW
yes i know im a squid and i shouldnt ride my bike with leaky fork seals but i just got a full yoshi rs4 exhaust system and i want to go try it out this weekend @ pala. i have ridden with leaky fork seals in the past for about 2 rides but since i got the newer air forks (showa sff) on my rmz, i curious to see if i can actually seriously damage anything. again i know its a stupid question but im wondering if i can get away with one more ride before i get them serviced
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ML512
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ML512 4/5/2017 8:38pm
4/5/2017 8:38pm
If it's on the brake side, the oil could end up on the rotor and cause a loss of braking problem.

When dealing with air forks, you can have air pressure leak out. In the case of the Showa SFF fork, if it's on the air side, it can lose outer chamber pressure (if you're running any at all in that chamber).
OUMX117
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OUMX117 4/6/2017 7:31am
4/6/2017 7:31am
Throw a new set of seals in it tonight. It's only thursday.... It should take you an hour and a half at most to do both sides and be ready to go. If you ride it with the leaky seals you'll most likely lose a set of $30-$40 brake pads on top of the cost of the seals and oil. Plus depending on how badly they're leaking you don't want to damage the bushings which could lead to damaging your lower tubes prematurely.

Long story short. You're probably fine, you just might end up replacing brake pads that were otherwise good.
Forty
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Forty 4/6/2017 8:12am
4/6/2017 8:12am
I wouldn't.

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TheOriginalPancakee
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TheOriginalPancakee 4/6/2017 8:15am
4/6/2017 8:15am
Air forks suck I'll tell you that. Especially the ones on Honda
casper
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casper 4/6/2017 8:30am
4/6/2017 8:30am
I'm not sure how bad it is for the air forks but I ride with them leaking sometimes. Like others said, it's most likely some dirt or a grain of sand causing the problem.

Go and get one of these:
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1056/34458/Risk-Racing-Fork-Seal-D…

I've fixed a my forks a couple times using this and the tool makes it real easy. You pop off the dust seal, clip this tool to your fork, work it up into the seal and twist it around a couple times. I use WD-40 to lube it up and wash away the dirt that comes out when I use it. Then just clean up the dust seal and put it back on. Most of the time if completely fixes the leak, the other times it slows it down which probably means it needs to be replaced anyway.
moco
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moco 4/6/2017 8:48am
4/6/2017 8:48am
Between my bikes and friends bikes over 15 years, that dirt/film under the seal technique must have been tried 30 times. I can't even count. It hasn't worked one single time.
RockyRider
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RockyRider 4/6/2017 9:01am
4/6/2017 9:01am
If you're determined to ride w/out changing them then pull down the dust seal and spray a bunch of contact cleaner up in there. It'll swell up the seal a little and might fix it for a ride or two.
Acidreamer
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Acidreamer 4/6/2017 9:07am
4/6/2017 9:07am
When your oil leaks out your forks get really soft. Then dirt gets in and screws the internals. Fork seals are very easy to fix. Its less difficult than a top end. The parts are cheap. Plus you get fresh oil which is sooooo nice. Just fix it
Flip109
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Flip109 4/6/2017 9:26am
4/6/2017 9:26am
Do it all the time! Lol
swedishfishmx 4/6/2017 9:32am
4/6/2017 9:32am
moco wrote:
Between my bikes and friends bikes over 15 years, that dirt/film under the seal technique must have been tried 30 times. I can't even count. It...
Between my bikes and friends bikes over 15 years, that dirt/film under the seal technique must have been tried 30 times. I can't even count. It hasn't worked one single time.
Works 99% of the time for our group. You gotta be doing something wrong.
moco
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moco 4/6/2017 9:38am
4/6/2017 9:38am
moco wrote:
Between my bikes and friends bikes over 15 years, that dirt/film under the seal technique must have been tried 30 times. I can't even count. It...
Between my bikes and friends bikes over 15 years, that dirt/film under the seal technique must have been tried 30 times. I can't even count. It hasn't worked one single time.
swedishfishmx wrote:
Works 99% of the time for our group. You gotta be doing something wrong.
At this point my logic goes like this:
If you've got 30 hours or more on your seals, they're wornout, and film under the seals won't fix it.
If you got 3 hours on new seals and they leak, then you have a good chance for a quick fix.
I've never had a seal leak without having a substantial amount of time on them. They don't and won't last forever.

Kenny Lingus
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Kenny Lingus 4/6/2017 9:47am
4/6/2017 9:47am
Keeping your suspension in good working order is paramount. That pipe is a waste of money if your forks are whopped out.
kzizok
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kzizok 4/6/2017 10:18am
4/6/2017 10:18am
Kenny Lingus wrote:
Keeping your suspension in good working order is paramount. That pipe is a waste of money if your forks are whopped out.
I go one step further. Aftermarket pipes are a waste of money (unless you are replacing a damaged one.)
Braap19
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Braap19 4/6/2017 11:11am
4/6/2017 11:11am
I ride with leaky seals until they're out of oil or my forks get too soft to push laps. Oil aint cheap and im going to get my moneys worth from it and the old seals.

Anyone that tells you otherwise is just blowing smoke or has money to burn.

The seal thing that the other guys are talking about really is worth the money though. It will save your seals at least twice before you need to replace.


And pipes make a big difference on bikes, especially if they get tuned to the pipe.
I feel like 80% of the people that post on here have no real idea on what aftermarket parts can do to help a bike. Effin squid vet riders...
disbanded
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disbanded 4/6/2017 11:15am
4/6/2017 11:15am
I won't even ride if my fork seals aren't leaking
Flip109
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Flip109 4/6/2017 11:21am
4/6/2017 11:21am
disbanded wrote:
I won't even ride if my fork seals aren't leaking
Haha!
Acidreamer
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Acidreamer 4/6/2017 11:22am
4/6/2017 11:22am
Braap19 wrote:
I ride with leaky seals until they're out of oil or my forks get too soft to push laps. Oil aint cheap and im going to...
I ride with leaky seals until they're out of oil or my forks get too soft to push laps. Oil aint cheap and im going to get my moneys worth from it and the old seals.

Anyone that tells you otherwise is just blowing smoke or has money to burn.

The seal thing that the other guys are talking about really is worth the money though. It will save your seals at least twice before you need to replace.


And pipes make a big difference on bikes, especially if they get tuned to the pipe.
I feel like 80% of the people that post on here have no real idea on what aftermarket parts can do to help a bike. Effin squid vet riders...
I think maxima fork oil i got was like $15 on RM. parts are like $30. If you dont have $45 a year to maintain your forks then you dont need a bike. To be honest.

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HenryJ77
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HenryJ77 4/6/2017 11:32am
4/6/2017 11:32am
Not to burst your bubble but Pala is closed this weekend for Cal Classic I believe.
DRAGONBACK 4/6/2017 11:33am
4/6/2017 11:33am
moco wrote:
Between my bikes and friends bikes over 15 years, that dirt/film under the seal technique must have been tried 30 times. I can't even count. It...
Between my bikes and friends bikes over 15 years, that dirt/film under the seal technique must have been tried 30 times. I can't even count. It hasn't worked one single time.
swedishfishmx wrote:
Works 99% of the time for our group. You gotta be doing something wrong.
Same for me.
Before buying a seal doctor, I used loads of business cards from people I didn't care doing business with, lol...
Stopped the leaks countless times.
steve.hackler.1 4/6/2017 12:08pm
4/6/2017 12:08pm
Just hope the fluid doesn't make its way back to the one tooth larger rear sprocket bolts.
casper
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casper 4/6/2017 12:20pm
4/6/2017 12:20pm
HenryJ77 wrote:
Not to burst your bubble but Pala is closed this weekend for Cal Classic I believe.
Good thing I randomly responded to this post, I was just about to head up there on Sunday, didn't even think an event was planned.
Braap19
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Braap19 4/6/2017 12:54pm
4/6/2017 12:54pm
Braap19 wrote:
I ride with leaky seals until they're out of oil or my forks get too soft to push laps. Oil aint cheap and im going to...
I ride with leaky seals until they're out of oil or my forks get too soft to push laps. Oil aint cheap and im going to get my moneys worth from it and the old seals.

Anyone that tells you otherwise is just blowing smoke or has money to burn.

The seal thing that the other guys are talking about really is worth the money though. It will save your seals at least twice before you need to replace.


And pipes make a big difference on bikes, especially if they get tuned to the pipe.
I feel like 80% of the people that post on here have no real idea on what aftermarket parts can do to help a bike. Effin squid vet riders...
Acidreamer wrote:
I think maxima fork oil i got was like $15 on RM. parts are like $30. If you dont have $45 a year to maintain your...
I think maxima fork oil i got was like $15 on RM. parts are like $30. If you dont have $45 a year to maintain your forks then you dont need a bike. To be honest.
You aren't buying the right parts if youre spending $30 on them. If you have them apart, you should replace everything. Not just the seals, bad bushings will make the seals give out faster.
If you replace seals dont half ass it.

For example:

http://www.motosport.com/skf-complete-fork-seal-bushing-kit
MR. X
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MR. X 4/6/2017 2:13pm
4/6/2017 2:13pm
ML512 wrote:
If it's on the brake side, the oil could end up on the rotor and cause a loss of braking problem. When dealing with air forks...
If it's on the brake side, the oil could end up on the rotor and cause a loss of braking problem.

When dealing with air forks, you can have air pressure leak out. In the case of the Showa SFF fork, if it's on the air side, it can lose outer chamber pressure (if you're running any at all in that chamber).
The brake side seal only leaks the first ride after putting new pads on.
Titan1
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Titan1 4/6/2017 2:15pm
4/6/2017 2:15pm
Braap19 wrote:
I ride with leaky seals until they're out of oil or my forks get too soft to push laps. Oil aint cheap and im going to...
I ride with leaky seals until they're out of oil or my forks get too soft to push laps. Oil aint cheap and im going to get my moneys worth from it and the old seals.

Anyone that tells you otherwise is just blowing smoke or has money to burn.

The seal thing that the other guys are talking about really is worth the money though. It will save your seals at least twice before you need to replace.


And pipes make a big difference on bikes, especially if they get tuned to the pipe.
I feel like 80% of the people that post on here have no real idea on what aftermarket parts can do to help a bike. Effin squid vet riders...
Acidreamer wrote:
I think maxima fork oil i got was like $15 on RM. parts are like $30. If you dont have $45 a year to maintain your...
I think maxima fork oil i got was like $15 on RM. parts are like $30. If you dont have $45 a year to maintain your forks then you dont need a bike. To be honest.
Braap19 wrote:
You aren't buying the right parts if youre spending $30 on them. If you have them apart, you should replace everything. Not just the seals, bad...
You aren't buying the right parts if youre spending $30 on them. If you have them apart, you should replace everything. Not just the seals, bad bushings will make the seals give out faster.
If you replace seals dont half ass it.

For example:

http://www.motosport.com/skf-complete-fork-seal-bushing-kit
So you'll run your forks with no oil (until they are out of oil)...but won't just replace your seals? Huh....interesting.
jock
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jock 4/6/2017 2:51pm
4/6/2017 2:51pm
steve.hackler.1 wrote:
Just hope the fluid doesn't make its way back to the one tooth larger rear sprocket bolts.
At least having oil on the sprocket bolts will give you a true torque reading. Peely would approve.
fullysicmate
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fullysicmate 4/6/2017 2:54pm
4/6/2017 2:54pm
moco wrote:
Between my bikes and friends bikes over 15 years, that dirt/film under the seal technique must have been tried 30 times. I can't even count. It...
Between my bikes and friends bikes over 15 years, that dirt/film under the seal technique must have been tried 30 times. I can't even count. It hasn't worked one single time.
swedishfishmx wrote:
Works 99% of the time for our group. You gotta be doing something wrong.
DRAGONBACK wrote:
Same for me. Before buying a seal doctor, I used loads of business cards from people I didn't care doing business with, lol... Stopped the leaks...
Same for me.
Before buying a seal doctor, I used loads of business cards from people I didn't care doing business with, lol...
Stopped the leaks countless times.
Same, I use a feeler gauge, works more often than not.
r.sal923
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r.sal923 4/6/2017 2:59pm
4/6/2017 2:59pm
disbanded wrote:
I won't even ride if my fork seals aren't leaking
Flip109 wrote:
Haha!
I will not either. I spend the 1.5 hrs to replace them. I would rather not ride than ride with oil leaking on rotor . Good breaks and suspension make your day
Stuntman949
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Stuntman949 4/6/2017 3:05pm
4/6/2017 3:05pm
Clean the seals the best you can with those little Motion Pro tools or get a business card in there and see what treasure you can get out.

Horror story: Seals blew at the beginning of an endurance race. I still raced on. By the time it was over, I had absolutely ruined the dampening rod on the inside of my fork. Made hell on the internals

Stuntman949
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Stuntman949 4/6/2017 3:07pm
4/6/2017 3:07pm


Seal Savers and bleeder caps. Love it

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