You guys put grease under the dust seals (fork)?

DrSweden
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DrSweden
Edited Date/Time 1/26/2012 1:48pm
Many suggest it halts dust etc from entering the fork with its many consequences...

If you do this, what kind of grease do you use? Is there any info suggesting you should not do this?
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jd418
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jd418 10/21/2010 1:53pm
10/21/2010 1:53pm
I could see particles sticking to the grease and after a while scratching your fork legs. It may not happen, but fork legs with knicks in them can lead to many problems
lumpy790
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lumpy790 10/21/2010 3:13pm
10/21/2010 3:13pm
I use a special synthetic SF-3 seal grease that came from Noleen years ago.
prillernut
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prillernut 10/21/2010 3:27pm
10/21/2010 3:27pm
don't know about modern forks, but for vintage the only lube I use is assembly lube to the seal lips (minimum 30 minutes prior to assembly) to protect the seal during assembly.

If you're concerned about extending the life of your seals, a set of SealSavers might be what you're looking for -
Nutty C
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Nutty C 10/21/2010 4:11pm
10/21/2010 4:11pm
Don't do it. I don't know how this got started but don't. Grease and dirt and presto no seals.

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DrSweden
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DrSweden 10/21/2010 4:29pm
10/21/2010 4:29pm
Nutty C wrote:
Don't do it. I don't know how this got started but don't. Grease and dirt and presto no seals.
Hey guys. Tnx for the input. Nutty, do you talk out of experience or does it just sound bad for you?
xnationalwrench 10/21/2010 5:46pm
10/21/2010 5:46pm
My self I wouldn't use grease but put a lite coating of forkoil on the wiper part of the fork seal. If you had some grease specific (like what Lumpy was talking about) that would probably be ok.
CamP
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CamP 10/21/2010 7:58pm
10/21/2010 7:58pm
Don't pack grease in the space between the dust wiper and seal. Do grease the dust wiper's lip with a very small amount of grease, then wipe off the excess. I use Motorex 2000 grease. Belray waterproof grease is good too.
Bret
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Bret 10/22/2010 8:54am
10/22/2010 8:54am Edited Date/Time 10/22/2010 8:55am
A light film of fork oil or SF-3 is all you need.
Nutty C
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Nutty C 10/22/2010 12:16pm
10/22/2010 12:16pm
DrSweden wrote:
Hey guys. Tnx for the input. Nutty, do you talk out of experience or does it just sound bad for you?
Have done lots of suspension work and never heard of it being done and any manuals or magazine articles I have read never speak of it .
xnationalwrench 10/22/2010 1:48pm
10/22/2010 1:48pm
The biggest thing you want to do is for the seal lips to seat on the fork tube and not damage it when installing the seal.
Big
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Big 10/22/2010 6:14pm
10/22/2010 6:14pm
DrSweden wrote:
Seems a majority says no then... Tnx for the input lads.

Link beneath, maybe not what I was asking for, but good for reduce stiction...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdKN5hXF10E
Mix 50-50 forkoil and grease from KYB or any good quality brand. Seen it and tested it. Low friction. Got that advice from suspensionpro. NEVER use wd-40 or simular products. (Tested that too) Good luck!
Big
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Big 10/22/2010 6:19pm
10/22/2010 6:19pm
When installing seals on forklegs take a small plasticbag and put on like a condom. little oil and kazoom you nailing it. Hm? If you are young, ask dad......
DrSweden
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DrSweden 10/22/2010 6:52pm
10/22/2010 6:52pm
Big wrote:
When installing seals on forklegs take a small plasticbag and put on like a condom. little oil and kazoom you nailing it. Hm? If you are...
When installing seals on forklegs take a small plasticbag and put on like a condom. little oil and kazoom you nailing it. Hm? If you are young, ask dad......
The condom part I know, I use electrical tape though. I have restored a bunch of forks, and I think I'm finally tuned in what to do! Smile

Good tip about mixing the grease with fork oil. What do the rest of the group think of this suggestion?

I found this, even better?

http://www.flatoutmotorsports.net/dlrindexsend_pg_catprod_levelcode_191…

Big
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Big 10/23/2010 1:54pm
10/23/2010 1:54pm
Big wrote:
When installing seals on forklegs take a small plasticbag and put on like a condom. little oil and kazoom you nailing it. Hm? If you are...
When installing seals on forklegs take a small plasticbag and put on like a condom. little oil and kazoom you nailing it. Hm? If you are young, ask dad......
DrSweden wrote:
The condom part I know, I use electrical tape though. I have restored a bunch of forks, and I think I'm finally tuned in what to...
The condom part I know, I use electrical tape though. I have restored a bunch of forks, and I think I'm finally tuned in what to do! Smile

Good tip about mixing the grease with fork oil. What do the rest of the group think of this suggestion?

I found this, even better?

http://www.flatoutmotorsports.net/dlrindexsend_pg_catprod_levelcode_191…

Yepp! Thats it together with forkoil is what i use. Thanks for tapetrick!? Too easy for even think of that smart idea? I'm for sure gonna borrow it from you! Damn! why didnt i thougt about that? Old dogs you know! =)
DrSweden
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DrSweden 10/23/2010 6:56pm
10/23/2010 6:56pm
Big wrote:
Yepp! Thats it together with forkoil is what i use. Thanks for tapetrick!? Too easy for even think of that smart idea? I'm for sure gonna...
Yepp! Thats it together with forkoil is what i use. Thanks for tapetrick!? Too easy for even think of that smart idea? I'm for sure gonna borrow it from you! Damn! why didnt i thougt about that? Old dogs you know! =)
Ha! Tnx, the tapetrick is not my invention unfortunately, but you made me feel smart there for a while! Smile
chillrich
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chillrich 10/24/2010 6:53pm
10/24/2010 6:53pm
Yamaha says add lithium base grease to dust wiper for AOSS forks. I've always done this with good results.
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TerryB 10/28/2010 7:23pm
10/28/2010 7:23pm
chillrich wrote:
Yamaha says add lithium base grease to dust wiper for AOSS forks. I've always done this with good results.
Yup. I've been using the white lithium grease under my wipers for years. Maybe it's coincidence, but we never have problems with fork seals going bad.

I'm assuming it protects the seal from weathering, dirt and water.

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