Forking Fork Seals
 

I have 3 Ohlins equipped bikes and 3 sets of weeping fork seals.

They do say things come in 3's (is it good things or bad things?)

Before I trek up the A5 to Baines and empty my wallet on the counter, can anyone recommend anyone closer / cheaper who can do this kind of work (as of last week I'm based in Leighton Buzzard).

Thanks

BC

there is an updated seal that is a vast improvement on older items!!!

Khushy

Ditto Khushy...my ohlins have let go on both sides, and both have been replaced with the 'new improved' version...no problems to date whatsoever.

Also...really obvious, but ensure that the new seals are greased on fitting. They should be lubed to help them 'bed-in' for the first few miles. This must obviously help them initially, but I would imagine also in the long run.

Thanks guys, but who does the work? This can't be a diy job...

it can be a diy job, but like all jobs there are a couple of tools you would need, there's an ohlins web help line with an excellent set of instructional manuals showing how to get the job done + it provides detail of the tools you would need.
http://www.ohlins.com/mc_manuals.shtml

Thanks Neil, I put air in my tyres but that's about it.

I'm looking for Ohlins / suspension specialists in the area.

lol - I like it...being from oop north can't help with that one I'm afraid, have you tried a yam dealer ??

You could try Harris performance in Hertford. They rebuilt mine years ago, sorted out a balls up by persons who have been mentioned!! The seals did go about a year or so later and they sent me a set which have now been fitted for at least 6 years with no probs.

Mike.

Mine where leaking, now there ok !!!!!!

If you can't be bothered to change seals or it's a really minor weep then a trick that sometimes works is to take a thin piece of old OHP acetate, cut a pencil type shape and feed the 'sharp' end up under the seal, once under the seal run it all the way around the fork leg - pullling it out as you go.

At the moment all 3 are fairly minor weeps but I guess they'll just get worse and worse (unless I get lucky like Gaz).

It's my own fault (is it? ed.) because none of them are getting enough use at the moment and it's lack of use that causes the seals to leak (so I'm told).

BC

851Neil - I tried to follow this link, but the page could not be found - my SP2 seals leak badly, and they must have almost run out of oil by now (!) so I need to get mine done too - was thinking of having a go myself, but thought it is probably a job that shouldn't be bodged !

Matthew

Matthew - I did a rebuild of a set of SP3 forks last month. It is pretty straight forward if you are just changing the seals. Why pay someone else to bodge it when you can bodge it for free yourself?

Mike

I was talking about this very subject on saturday with nelly (both phils 888 and 999 were in for new seals!).

From what I remember of the conversation, the standard seal is a basic single lip affair and apparently are designed to weep very slightly to keep things moist. Nelly fits an improved seal which sorts things at the expense of there being slightly more stiction - but I guess unless your names valentino then your never going to notice !

I also hear that ohlins dont like cold garages and duke2bsteve has bought a basic caravan heater to put under his bike in the winter months (but then he is a complete tart!!!)

Nat

You can talk Nat (tart)

Guilty as charged your honour...!

Fork seals
 

Hey, Beanie!

If you still need your fork seals doing it's well worth giving Mick Gardner Racing a shout (01226 240099).

They do a drop-in service and will remove your forks, service them, and send you on your way all for a flat fee.

Only thing is you'll have to drop in three times!

Cheers.

Lee.

Thanks Lee

How's things?

Do you have the part number for these improved "mark two" seals?

TIA,

Rob

There are a lot of double lip seals that will fit. I picked some up for next to nothing at the o-ring supply shop when rebuilding my forks. NOK BR20031, size 54x41x11mm as used on a lot of Hondas and some BMWs.

No news on how they work as they are still in the bag! I'll let you know when I get my second set of forks done.