I have a 2014 zx14r with only 800 miles on it and I am getting black rings around the front forks. Does this mean my seals are leaking? If so is that covered under warranty I bought it new less than a year ago.

All I have ever seen on my Gen1 is clean dust below the the farthest travel of the top tube. Sounds like they're not sealing to me. I'd want to do this myself rather than bring it to a dealership.

Can you Post a picture?

This is about all I have seen. A dry film of dust. It gets pushed down to the lowest point of travel by the rubber wiper boot at the bottom of the top tube. I've never seen a greasy looking ring. Any dust on there should be dry and easy to brush away.

Between the black ring is one side of the fork is dry, the other is shiny wet. Wipe finger on the dry side, wipe a finger on the fork leg side in question. We dry?

Wipe fork legs clean. Pump front end up and down and note if a clear ring is now there and is shiny as in; how can both forks leak at the same time? Was this more the shipping coating not wiped 800 miles ago?

I'm not saying it's not possible that both forks leak brand new, but I would not wipe the evidence off and show the dealer, this being under warranty or a poor pre-delivery cleanup/wipe down.

Here is a picture of what I am seeing it is on the right tube only. When i touch it is is slightly oily but not wet to the touch.

My fork looked like that last fall and it was leaking. Wipe it all off real good and take her for a ride. If it occurs again and it's only on one side I say it's leaking and would go see an authorized dealer for a warranty claim.

* Last updated by: danfzx14 on 5/6/2015 @ 12:49 PM *

That seal is blown or cut. Make sure if there's a nick in the tube, it is taken care of when the seal is renewed. Otherwise the new seal will end up the same way.

I'm with Danno. Warranty claim. Show the dealer, have him order the seal, write you up, etc.

Thanks guys for all the help. I will be taking it back to the dealer tomorrow. I took it today and they told me it was normal.

I took it today and they told me it was normal.

Need I say more? This is why I have never gone to dealership for service. but if it's free, worse thing that could happen is that they take 5 weeks to not fix it.

I've replaced TWO fork seals in two years.That pic looks very much like it's shot.You shouldn't have THAT amount of fluid on there.You can do a couple of things before you decide to dealer it.You can try the thin plastic little seal cleaner thing you get at a motorcycle shop...used mainly for cleaning the seals on Moto bikes...dirt bikes.If it's just trapped particles in there,this tool will clear those out.If it doesn't...new seals.Mine I believe were from wheelying.This bike is pretty heavy.The landings should be smooth.Most of mine weren't.It only takes a few.You know...the lower fork leg gets jolted,flexes in that upper fork chamber...it starts to deform the seal lip...and there ya are...damaged.OR,you aren't cleaning the forks after each ride...stuff's gettin pushed into that seal(up at the seal lip itself).Damage.

Looks like it was compressed virtually all the way.Or close to it.Does it do this when you sit on the bike and push down on the bars?Holding the brake?Mine did this at every area along the length of the lower fork leg.It eventually started dripping onto the caliper.That's how I first noticed it.There was an actual light 'stream' of fluid coming down when she sat for a bit.

This plastic tool...you tell em what it's for...they'll know.You remove that outside cover there..(slide it down)and you can get right at the seal in there...very simple to do.This MAY be all you need for this...hopefully.It's worth a try anyway.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/11/2015 @ 7:39 PM *

The plastic tool is called the Seal Saver. It's available from Motion Pro. But if you have a nicked tube or a cut seal it won't fix it. It will work when there is a piece of dirt or bug caught in the seal lip.

Mad