Honda CRF450 fork seals

BM255
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BM255
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 6:23pm
Is it just me or is there an issue with leaky fork seals on the showa forks?

I have an 08 CRF450R, replaced the seals 10 hours ago, just rode yesterday and one side is leaking again!!

Anyone else have a similar experience?
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ProMed
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ProMed 7/25/2009 10:45pm
7/25/2009 10:45pm
BM255 wrote:
Is it just me or is there an issue with leaky fork seals on the showa forks? I have an 08 CRF450R, replaced the seals 10...
Is it just me or is there an issue with leaky fork seals on the showa forks?

I have an 08 CRF450R, replaced the seals 10 hours ago, just rode yesterday and one side is leaking again!!

Anyone else have a similar experience?
Have you checked for knicks in the fork leg? Do you clean them out well after dirty rides?

No issues on my CRF450.
BM255
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BM255 7/27/2009 2:20am
7/27/2009 2:20am
no nicks in the fork legs, I did however have a very muddy race a couple of weeks ago and had to clean the bike after the mud had dried.
This was the first ride since then, is it possible a piece of dried mud got in the seal?

I've never had this issue before and never had to take special care with fork seals before so I find it a little annoying.
CamP
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CamP 7/27/2009 11:41am
7/27/2009 11:41am
Dried on mud will kill a fork seal instantly.
BM255
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BM255 7/27/2009 3:53pm
7/27/2009 3:53pm
CamP wrote:
Dried on mud will kill a fork seal instantly.
That will be it then, I guess next time I'll make sure to check and clean the seals before riding.

Thanks guys

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Active Ride
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Active Ride 7/28/2009 7:03am
7/28/2009 7:03am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 1:10am
Showa seals are fine.


Contrary to popular belief fork seals don't fail that often. Most of the time there is dirt (sometimes sticks, grass, and rocks!) in between the fork seal and the leg itself. As long as you haven't spent a lot of time riding while they were leaking, they are in fact fairly new seals, I am willing to bet that you can just take everything apart, clean things up and they will work fine. Of course, I always change seals when I take things apart because new seals have less stiction, and it's an insurance policy.

Kinetic1
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Kinetic1 7/28/2009 8:07am
7/28/2009 8:07am
I use a piece of masking tape to clean my seal surface when I wash the bike after a muddy ride. Cut the tape on a 45 degree angle and apply in a wrapping motion to the fork leg. Spin the leg as you push up so the tape goes into the seal. When you turn the leg with the tape on it up into the seal the angle of the masking tape pushes whatever dirt or grime happens to be on the seal surface out so that it doesn't leak. This has saved many seals for me. I now only change seals once a year when I do my suspension svc.
ProMed
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ProMed 7/28/2009 10:03pm
7/28/2009 10:03pm
Active Ride
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Active Ride 7/29/2009 8:48am
7/29/2009 8:48am
ProMed wrote:
[img]http://www.cyclegear.com/images/StreetAcc/motionpro_seal_mate_LG.jpg[/img]
Those things aren't really a good idea unless you are just trying to get by for a weekend. They tend to push more dirt into your forks. The dirt then usually get impregnated into your bushings.and will cause scratches on your inner or "lower" tube...
CamP
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CamP 7/29/2009 8:54am
7/29/2009 8:54am
Active Ride wrote:
Those things aren't really a good idea unless you are just trying to get by for a weekend. They tend to push more dirt into your...
Those things aren't really a good idea unless you are just trying to get by for a weekend. They tend to push more dirt into your forks. The dirt then usually get impregnated into your bushings.and will cause scratches on your inner or "lower" tube...
What he said...
woolster72
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woolster72 7/29/2009 4:45pm
7/29/2009 4:45pm
I havent had a problem with my 2005 CRF450R, after fitting seal savers on my forks.
I got my Neoprene patches off ebay for $5...., Very effective and inexpensive. Worth a look if you ask me...
ProMed
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ProMed 7/31/2009 1:58pm
7/31/2009 1:58pm
Active Ride wrote:
Those things aren't really a good idea unless you are just trying to get by for a weekend. They tend to push more dirt into your...
Those things aren't really a good idea unless you are just trying to get by for a weekend. They tend to push more dirt into your forks. The dirt then usually get impregnated into your bushings.and will cause scratches on your inner or "lower" tube...
Good to know. I personally do not own one. I have before used some 35mm film with thin hook in one end of. Slide the hook up on the clean backside and slide it around to pull the junk out from under the seal.
ironman24
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ironman24 3/18/2010 10:09pm
3/18/2010 10:09pm
Look into a new seal cover called Shock Sox, they can be removed in only 10 seconds. You can buy them easy online just go to yahoo and search Shock Sox. They require no tool or removal of forks like seal savers. Shock Sox are best on the market.
86honda
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86honda 3/24/2010 8:11pm
3/24/2010 8:11pm

When you install your new seals, remove the spring on the seals and look at them real close and you will see were it is screwed together. It has a male end and a female end. Take a wire cutter and cut about a 16th of an inch off the female side only. Screw it back together and place it back on the seals. This will give you a tighter fit an help keep dirt out of your seals.

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