Front Forks - How to tell if they are shot?

Got questions? We got answers....
Post Reply
Byte
Member
Posts: 235
Joined: 04:47 pm Mar 19 2009
Country:

Front Forks - How to tell if they are shot?

Post by Byte »

KDX220 1998 model.

How to tell if front forks (or seals) are shot?

I am concerned I may have strapped the bike on too tight at front onto trailer?

How do i strap the bike securely onto trailer and not damage the front forks?

Byte
User avatar
Indawoods
Creator and Founder
Creator and Founder
Posts: 9951
Joined: 09:59 am Jun 12 2003
Country:
Location: Midwest

Post by Indawoods »

Anything leaking?

Cut a 2x4 to fit between the lower tree and the tire... put it in there and strap it down....
*** Administrator //***
****'95 KDX 200/****

"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
Byte
Member
Posts: 235
Joined: 04:47 pm Mar 19 2009
Country:

Post by Byte »

I detect slight leakage from bottom of fork boot but cannot remove the fork boot for some reason...?

Will compressing these forks (strapped tight to a trailer) for more than a few hours damage seals or something else?

Byte
Byte
Member
Posts: 235
Joined: 04:47 pm Mar 19 2009
Country:

Post by Byte »

how do i remove boot wo destroying it?

steps to replace leaky seals?

byte
KarlP
Supporting Member III
Supporting Member III
Posts: 1484
Joined: 02:26 pm Jun 29 2005
Country:
Location: Alabama

Post by KarlP »

Strapping it on a trailer won't hurt anything. It is a lot less severe than the service they see in use....

The boot ought to peal up off the lower leg. It is pretty tight, but it should come up.

It is worth trying to clean the fork seals.
Push the fork boot up the leg a bit and tape it so it doesn't get in the way. A .003" or .002" feeler gauge and a can of brake clean will usually do the trick. Clean the outside of the seal as best you can. Ease the feeler gauge past the seal between the leg and the seal and work it all the way around the leg. Clean again with brake clean, try again with the feeler gauge. You'll probably feel the grit getting dislodged.

There are a number of other posts on here with better explanations of the methods. Search by "fork seal"?
'08 KTM200xc
'99 CR/KDX Hybrid with that RB stuff done to it
KX100 for the boy
User avatar
barryadam
Supporting Member
Posts: 255
Joined: 02:07 pm Sep 18 2008
Country:
Location: Mission Viejo, CA

Post by barryadam »

>|<>QBB<
KarlP wrote:Strapping it on a trailer won't hurt anything. It is a lot less severe than the service they see in use....
Seems logical, yet we only developed fork seal leaks after leaving the bikes "loaded" with the forks compressed for a couple of days.

I think the bikes were upset at us for leaving them outside.
"I hate heli-coils. They are like hospice for motorcycle parts."- BDI
User avatar
canyncarvr
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 6943
Joined: 01:07 pm Nov 05 2004
Country: US
Location: The Mythical State of Jefferson

Post by canyncarvr »

If you're concerned about fork pressure when they're compressed...put some poppers on top of your forks.

A personal preference I suppose...but I would MUCH rather have my bike held on my trailer against spring (fork and shock) force than against a piece of 2x4 or one'a those inserts (NO spring at all) you buy for the same purpose.


Re: 'steps to replace leaky seals?'

Read your manual.

Forks off bike.

Cartridge out of fork.

keeper out of seal area.

'slide hammer' the seals/bushings out. Quick, sharp taps..not heavy lunging pounding.

Install:

Use PVC or seal tool to place new oiled seals.

Place keeper and dust seals.

Reassemble cartridge minus spring.

Add oil..bleed/purge..set level.

Install spring.

Install forks.



Simple. :wink:

Consider the source
Using a perceived level of knowledge to boost my self worth.
Non impediti ratione cogitationis

bike profile: !clicky!
Byte
Member
Posts: 235
Joined: 04:47 pm Mar 19 2009
Country:

Post by Byte »

thanks guys...
User avatar
MXOldtimer
Member
Posts: 575
Joined: 05:03 pm Jul 15 2006
Country:
Location: Pacific NorthWET, Oregon

Post by MXOldtimer »

I've left bikes tied down for many days traveling without and damage to the seals. If you have to leave the bike tied down for a extended time simply bleed the air out after tying them down and you wont have a problem. If your seals leaked they were most likely in bad shape already and needed to be changed.
04 KX-250 Hey.....at least it's green and smokes.
06 KDX-200 for off road play. Gone but not forgotten
07 KX-250F SOLD! I thump no more.
User avatar
skythrasher
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 423
Joined: 06:24 pm May 16 2007
Country:
Location: NW Arkansas

Post by skythrasher »

+1 with MxOldtimer. If the air is bled off whats the difference, other than spring tension. The board or fork brace idea is not for the seals. The board/brace is placed between fender and tire under the theory that the suspension cannot compress while hitting a big bump in the road, letting the straps loosen or come un hooked.
My Gallery
2001 KDX200
1987 KDX200
2002 CR250R
2016 KTM 350XCF-W Six Days
Image
Post Reply