Author Topic: Fork Seal Strategy  (Read 15263 times)

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Offline KXcam22

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Re: Fork Seal Strategy
« Reply #30 on: November 12, 2010, 03:59:43 PM »
I must be doing something right since in 39 years of dirt riding I have never had an issue with fork seals. Nada, never.  Problem is I don't what I am doing right.  When I sold my 92 KX500 it still had the original fork seals after 14 years of abusing it - no leaks (actually the KX never leaked a drop of anything ever - pretty darn good, my kids KTM leaks from everywhere).  Reading Dons post mad me realize that the one thing that I always do is align the forks before I tighten the front axle.  I never put a support between the tire and fender when trailering; I never have cleaned under the seals with film (although that sounds like a great idea); never used forkskins, etc. Anyway....food for thought.  It is possible that alignment is one of the keys.  As for ATF, I used it for years as fork fluid.  My dad used to tell me that type A was 8wt and Type F was 15wt.  Not sure if that totally true but it is an easy rhyme to remember.  In the old days I used the A in most of my bikes. Presently I use F in the low-end non-cartridge type forks, F in my CBR900RR street bike and A in the high-end non-cartridge forks.  In my fancy dual-chamber cartridge forks I am using 5wt fork oil in the inner-chamber and synthetic ATF "A" in the outer chamber for reduced stiction. Works for me.  It is also a decent cost saving for those who may have 5 or 6 bikes at home.  Cam.

PS the KTM forks leak like hell but they did when we got the bike.  Time for a fix this winter.