leaking fork oil on one side

[BeardedChick]

... not my bike, my friend's. She wanted me to ask if she can still ride it or not.

She's not motivated about fixing things, and apparently she can't get her boyfriend to fix it for her. ? You'd think she could come up with SOMETHING to trade him for his help...

Thanks!

Michelle

[Bob Onit]

Do a Google search for clean fork tubes seals 35mm film. (or similar)

Ive never had the need to try it but it supposedly works well.

As far as Ive read, you take a piece of 35mm film (perhaps a 30'ish mm feeler gauge will work just as well) and scoop it around where the seal meets the tube.

If all goes well, the dirt is gone and your seals wont leak anymore.

This is not snake oil and according to what I've read ...It does work if the seals aren't shot

I'm certain someone will show up with a better explanation on how to clean under the wipers.

ps... how did you make our with the Acerbis Rally Pro's?

Heres one post about using 35mm film

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213504&highlight=35mm+film

[97dr650]

You can try a peice of 35mm film or something close and slide it in between the tube and seal.Slide it all the way around the the tube and seal,sometimes it will dislodge the dirt/crap and stop the leak.I did about 18 months ago,worked like a charm.Hasn't leaked since.

[motothumper11407]

yea like the film you get when you order pictures theres always those extra pictures on those orange film strips, that works perfect. did it to my dads leaking for seal, there was a piece of dirt up there. hope this helps

[jcalis]

Lift up the dust seal first (the one you see on top). Cafefully pry it up with a flat blade screwdriver. Be carful to not nick or scratch the chrome surface of the tubes. There can be a lot of mud and crap between it and the actuall oil seal beneath. Hose all the junk out first and dry it off. Then carefully wipe between the oil seal and the fork tube to see if there is anything holding the seal open and leaking oil. You can use the film negatives or anything else similar. I have even used a business card to carfully lift out any crud in there.

If that does not help, it's time to replace the seals and do an oil change.

[riderskate]

You can try a peice of 35mm film or something close and slide it in between the tube and seal.Slide it all the way around the the tube and seal,sometimes it will dislodge the dirt/crap and stop the leak.I did about 18 months ago,worked like a charm.Hasn't leaked since.

I have a 97 650 also, it is only leaking from the left side fork only. The previous owner for some reason took off the fork boots, so i'm thinking it may just be dirt.

Do you slide the film past the dust seal and down into the fork seal? or do you remove the dust seal??

Has anyone used the new style seal savers? if so what do you think?

Thanks, Joe

[450licious]

if you dont have any negatives (film) just use a tear off works a treat.

[udaloy]

I suggest you check the seals. If they are more than 6 years, it's time to replace them. There is almost no way anything particle can get stuck at the seal to cause a leak unless your seals are worn or damaged.

The fork tubes on the DR650 have double seal, an oil seal, and a dust seal. Above all, you have a fork boot. It's almost impregnable.

?

[KnotHead]

Fork seals are an easy job, not too expensive either so no real reason not to just go ahead and replace them.

I put mine off and wound up ruining the front brake pads.

And if you are really cheap like me, 10wt R&O hydraulic fluid works great in the forks. I've been running it in my forks for several months and really like it so far (both on and off road). It has the same qualities as fork oil (anti corrosion, anti foam, seal conditioners and it's the same weight) but is only about $10 for a whole gallon. In fact I have enough left to do several more sets of forks...

[riderskate]

I suggest you check the seals. If they are more than 6 years, it's time to replace them. There is almost no way anything particle can get stuck at the seal to cause a leak unless your seals are worn or damaged.

The fork tubes on the DR650 have double seal, an oil seal, and a dust seal. Above all, you have a fork boot. It's almost impregnable.

?

The previous owner took off the fork boots, I think that may be why I have a leak.

[BeardedChick]

Thanks everyone, I relayed the info to my friend. I bet the fork seals are just dried out and rotted. Her bike has sat in storage for ~4 years & all sorts of stuff got messed up.

Bob, I love the Rally Pros, new bars, grips, and folding mirror. ? Rode up Kennebec Pass Sunday and got some good use from the new carb. All the bike upgrades were appreciated on a ride like that. I had crawled up the same pass on the DR200. The DR350 ate it up with power to spare (and its a lot more comfortable).

Yeah, gotta fix that stupid left turn signal stick.

[Bob Onit]

Bob, I love the Rally Pros, new bars, grips, and folding mirror. Rode up Kennebec Pass Sunday and got some good use from the new carb. All the bike upgrades were appreciated on a ride like that. I had crawled up the same pass on the DR200. The DR350 ate it up with power to spare (and its a lot more comfortable).

Yeah, gotta fix that stupid left turn signal stick.

GRRRReat! I'm very pleased that you are happy with the mods because they weren't cheap.

Well, at least now you don't have to worry about breaking clutch/brake levers with the guards installed! ?

Hopefully you had enough miles with the old CV carb to really appreciate the TM33.

I've been using these turn signals for 20+ years and have never broken one and I fall down a lot ?

They are "Bike Master" semi flush mounts.

Most any bike shop carries them for about $20

There are smaller lights of the same style avail but they're pretty tough to find. Jcalis found these for me a while ago.

Heres a pic of the smaller ones next to the bigger ones (stuck on with tape for comparison)

Honestly....I prefer the larger lights myself for safety reasons.

Glad your having fun with your new DR.... They're great do-all bikes.

Have fun!

ps: did ya happen to notice the Kientech UFO front fender?

Looks sweet... and doesn't act like a sail on the street either.

Almost matches the rear fender too!

Only $35 at your local Kientech outlet ??

[BeardedChick]

GRRRReat! I'm very pleased that you are happy with the mods because they weren't cheap.

I am really happy with mods... And the bike has now cost me the guy's original asking price for it - still well under my budget. ?

Yep, I can tell the pumper carb is a big improvement. No more stalling or dying when starting up a steep hill. The change in power is very noticable up here at 7,000'. It sounds and feels souped up.

I've been using these turn signals for 20+ years and have never broken one and I fall down a lot ?

They are "Bike Master" semi flush mounts.

Most any bike shop carries them for about $20

Honestly....I prefer the larger lights myself for safety reasons.

ps: did ya happen to notice the Kientech UFO front fender?

Looks sweet... and doesn't act like a sail on the street either.

Almost matches the rear fender too!

Only $35 at your local Kientech outlet ??

Those are the type of lights I need. Any idea if they are street legal? I haven't titled/plated my bike yet. (BAD Beardedchick, BAD.)

The fender hasn't annoyed me too much yet. Ummm. There are only a couple of paved roads near my house. And I hate riding on them.

So the fender may get modded - after I pick up an IMS gas tank. What I'd like next would like some pegs that sit an inch or so lower. Any idea if they make lower pegs for the 350?

[Bob Onit]

Those are the type of lights I need. Any idea if they are street legal?

Geeze...I haven't even looked at the newer ones to see if they say DOT on the lens, but as most aftermarket lights go, most likely... no.

Just get it plated with what you have then buy the aftermarket lights and you'll be good to go! ?

No idea on lowered pegs for a 350.... 650 yes, 350 no, sorry.

[udaloy]

Honestly....I prefer the larger lights myself for safety reasons.

You should check out the DRZ stock signal lights.

The older DRZs were using the round yellow lens, and the newer DRZ, (SM included) are using a slightly bigger hexagonal shape clear lens type.

All the kids here dumped these lights for the smallish type, and i picked them up really cheap, about USD15/pair

I got them on both my DR650, and DR350.

??