KDXRIDER.NET

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

Anything leaking?

Cut a 2x4 to fit between the lower tree and the tire... put it in there and strap it down....

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

how do i remove boot wo destroying it?

steps to replace leaky seals?

byte

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"?

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.

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.

thanks guys...

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.

+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.