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.
Created on: 05/06/15 05:42 AM
Replies: 12
rp3
Joined: 10/01/14
Posts: 8
Rook
Joined: 03/28/09
Posts: 20599
danfzx14
Location: NH
Joined: 02/02/11
Posts: 120
RE: Front Fork Seals Leaking???
05/06/15 7:57 AM
Can you Post a picture?
Hub
Joined: 02/05/09
Posts: 13722
RE: Front Fork Seals Leaking???
05/06/15 9:56 AM
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.
rp3
Joined: 10/01/14
Posts: 8
danfzx14
Location: NH
Joined: 02/02/11
Posts: 120
RE: Front Fork Seals Leaking???
05/06/15 12:47 PM
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 *
Danno
Location:
Joined: 12/18/11
Posts: 2142
RE: Front Fork Seals Leaking???
05/06/15 1:42 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.
Hub
Joined: 02/05/09
Posts: 13722
rp3
Joined: 10/01/14
Posts: 8
Rook
Joined: 03/28/09
Posts: 20599
RE: Front Fork Seals Leaking???
05/06/15 7:26 PM
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.
Grn14
Location: Montana
Joined: 02/25/09
Posts: 15511
RE: Front Fork Seals Leaking???
05/11/15 7:32 PM
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 *
Maddevill
Location: Hayward, CA
Joined: 04/23/11
Posts: 2659
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