Fork seals.

[Brett]

Is there any way, without stripping down the forks, to see if my fork seals have been changed?
I ask this as my left seal has just gone. They were both meant to have been changed about 1-half months ago and I'm begining to suspect only one was changed.

Also, if they were changed is there any reason it would have gone again so quickly? I did do a bit of a bodge when taking off the front wheel about a month ago, resting the forks(very gently)on raised slabs.

[masterofinsanity]

are the stanchions pitted cos thats the only reason they will go again unless the previous owner damaged the seal when they put the forks back together? no way of seeing really unless you check the colour of oil in both forks but then they may have used old oil again?

[Brett]

No real pitting and the oil coming out seems very clean.

[masterofinsanity]

when you put new seals in your supposed to use tape or cling film over the bushes to stop the seals catching, if you don't you can damage the seals which is probably whats happened.

[Brett]

Would a mechanic know this or is it just a zxr thing? He is pretty kosher, I know he races bikes and stuff and has quite a lot of regular custom.

[RedexRobB]

Or you could have over tightened the front wheel axle, that can pop seals too.

[Brett]

That is a possibility as I have no torque wrench, but sounds unlikely. Not that I'm questioning your technichal know how(as you know I have very little), but surely the amount of bend in the forks would be minimal compared to the pressures applied when cornering or braking?
Sorry if that sounds cocky, it's not meant to, I just need to start learning how my bike works/how to fix my bike?

[RedexRobB]

Mine is also sketchy. But imagine that as the stantions slide down the forks, the bases are usually the same width as the stantions, putting no stress on the seals. If they are overtightened, then as the stantions slide down the fork becomes narrower the further down it slides.

Its only an idea, its just something that i have heard before causing fork seal to fail.

[Xphyral]

sometimes it just happens but there are two metal sliders inside the fork(cant remember the name atm) at the bottom of the fork upper. these are teflon coated but it wears over time and if you start getting short seal life these are usually the culprits and only one of the pair are replaceable afaik. They are usually the cause of misting on the stanchion leg so look for signs of that aswell.

[Brett]

Thanks for the advice fellas. I was just worried that I was getting ripped off, which I'm sure/I hope isn't the case now.
Suppose I'll just have to wait and see what the mechanic says. I'll try and suggest the misting and over tightening ideas by him and see if it gives him any ideas.
Thanks again.

[Brett]

p.s. Xphyral, is that link (smr) what you do for a living? If so can you/they fix my fairing?

[Xphyral]

yeah it's what i do although i need to get around to finishing that website.

Whats up with your fairing?

[Brett]

Crack on the nose cone and a few cracks on both side panels where some chav scum pushed it over.

[Xphyral]

If you want to send me the bits by courier then yeah i'll be able to do the work. Would probably be more cost effective to find someone closer to you if you can. If not then just send me some pics of the damage and i can let you know how much it'll be.

[Brett]

Nice one. will pm you if I work out how to send pictures.