Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > General Motorcycles only > Ohlins Forks / Service - rebuild

[jj250]

I will scour the archives and see what i can find

[andys 900ss]

From my limited knowledge of seeing the bikes in & out of Nelly's, Ohlins forks have a tendancy to leak.

Two options 1) Stop the leak with better seals which will give more stiction and in theory less performance 2) Leave them wheeping a little and they'll work their best, but if they leak replace the seals more often.

Andy

[Harv748]

They do now apply grease to the new design of Ohlins seal...the new design came in about 18 months ago, and if the fork /seal has been installed correctly then it should show a little 'moisture' on the fork bottom halve...this is the grease on the seal, but it should only be there for a short while...i.e. 20-30 miles.

Wipe the fork and then have another look...it shouldn't be 'oil' IMHO.

[beancounter]

Originally Posted by weeveetwin

My own 888SP's (FG9050 Ohlins) are away at Maxton being rebuilt at the moment. During a telephone conversation with the boss (Richard Adams), he told me that these forks were designed to leak a little oil past the seals in order to reduce the effects of 'stiction', and thus give them a more supple/responsive feel.

Whether this is true of all Ohlins forks I don't know.

This is absolutely correct.

All 3 of my bikes have Ohlins forks and weep very slightly. Both Baines Racing and Forza Italia have told me this is normal for Ohlins forks.

HTH.

BC

[gary-g]

I have been told exactly the same about my SP, although mine don't leak !

[Bungi]

i asked the same question on a site in the US

with one interesting response....

Chuckracer
...some dude... Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA
Posts: 1,803

Every Ohlins fork I've worked with leaves a little oil ring on the leg. It's normal

I have worked as a chassis and suspension set-up man for several race teams through nineties, from local club racing 600 class teams to the AMA with a Pro Thunder team, and very unofficially on a top AMA Ducati team with two very well known riders. I was club racing in this same time period and doing occasional nationals (750SS).

The first time I saw this, I was concerned and questioned a couple people far more skilled than I, and was told by both that it's normal. Apparently, Ohlins fork seals carry more oil in the seal than normal Showa or Kayaba forks. This helps combat stiction. Other streetbike based forks don't do this simply because it wouldn't do to have that thin film of oil left on the stancion tube. People aren't used to seeing that and think the seals are bad if they see any oil at all.

Your shop is shotting ya straight.

[Bungi]

some answers from ohlins by email a few moments ago

Hello Sean,



There about as many ways as there are mechanics in the world,



To soak the seal is ok for us, but maybe not necessary, after service the oil that is left inside the seal will leave a thin film of oil for a while when using the front fork.





Best Regards
Lars Isaksson

Öhlins Racing AB
Marketing & Sales
Office: Instrumentvägen 8-10
Mail: Box 722
S-194 27 Upplands Väsby
Sweden

Tel: +46 (0)8 5900 2500
Direct: +46 (0)8 5900 2548
Fax: +46 (0)8 5460 2699

E-mail: li@ohlins.se

www.ohlins.com