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General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: ribbert on April 30, 2017, 08:26:24 AM

Title: Well I'll be forked.
Post by: ribbert on April 30, 2017, 08:26:24 AM
Unaccustomed as I am to my bike needing work I was taken aback to see a small pool of oil under it the other day. A leaking fork seal. I replaced these seals 136,000 kms ago. I did not do the bushings or wipers at the time and they are the originals. For the last few years I have been running the very thin 5W oil.

While not looking forward to doing the forks, I can't complain, I deem that mileage a very good innings considering how and where I ride my bike.

It was encouraging to the see the holes in the mudguard (fender) and bracket have not changed in shape over that time and there is no cracking.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4174/34208701891_6e57f7f3c0.jpg)  (https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2832/33955487750_fedaa578dc.jpg)

For a total of 165k on the forks, I think it's prudent to change the bushings and wipers this time and then it should just about see me out.

The clutch slave is also the original having had only one seal replacement many years ago, maybe I should add a replacement unit to the RPM order to have on the shelf, it can't have much left in it.

With no concession made for it's age or mileage in how I ride it, the reliability and minimal maintenance of these bikes never ceases to amaze me.

Noel
Title: Re: Well I'll be forked.
Post by: Pat Conlon on April 30, 2017, 03:36:43 PM
Quote from: ribbert on April 30, 2017, 08:26:24 AM
It was encouraging to the see the holes in the mudguard (fender) and bracket have not changed in shape over that time and there is no cracking.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2832/33955487750_fedaa578dc.jpg)



Why don't you use a fork brace Noel?
Perhaps it's just the angle of the picture but, the holes in your fender strap do look elongated.

With the bug critters you have down there, and all the dirt roads you travel, at least some bug shields.
These work well with a fork brace:

(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/a/(KGrHqN,!iME8J7qwongBPwQhPzsfw~~/s-l400.jpg)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281581695365?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#ht_744wt_1124 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/281581695365?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#ht_744wt_1124)
Title: Re: Well I'll be forked.
Post by: ribbert on May 01, 2017, 05:03:40 AM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on April 30, 2017, 03:36:43 PM


Why don't you use a fork brace Noel?
Perhaps it's just the angle of the picture but, the holes in your fender strap do look elongated.

With the bug critters you have down there, and all the dirt roads you travel, at least some bug shields.
These work well with a fork brace:


You're right Pat and I did add some bug shields to my seal kit order (they don't look long enough?)

The holes are very slightly ovaled (but not as much as the one at the top left appears in the photo) which is why I said they hadn't changed, that's what they looked like when I last did the seals.

As for not using a fork brace, I don't have one.

Noel