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Technical Motorbike Help

ST1300A repeatedly blowing fork seal. Ideas?

ST1300A repeatedly blowing fork seal. Ideas? - Forums [Biker Match] ST1300A repeatedly blowing fork seal. Ideas? - Forums [Biker Match]
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ST1300A repeatedly blowing fork seal. Ideas?

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My A2 model ST13 has an annoying habit of blowing the oil out of the right hand side fork seal, the left one has never been a problem, and it's just done it again today! This is the 6th time in 2 1/2 years. The seals are genuine, the first set was replaced by me, the next by a bike mechanic freind and the next ones all by dealers!! The tube is straight, round (had micrometer on it), not scored, scratched or pitted. Has anyone got any ideas why it keeps doing this, and how I can stop it!

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Paj1369 @ 26/06/2010 15:53  

Hi paul im having same problem on my triumph have thought about a fork brace then the front would be more likely to dive together maybe that may help mate ?

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WheelyNealy @ 26/06/2010 16:32  

a fork brace wont cure the problem.... the forks can only move the same amount, otherwise you'd end up minus your front whelat which point a leaking fork seal would be the least of your worries. Is the any play in the bushes? if your 100% there straight and not pitted then that is the most likely option

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DeeStruction @ 26/06/2010 18:03  

The bushes were done about this time last year DS,.. around 10k ago, but are going to get replaced anyway this time round too. I can't feel anything around there, but I haven't had it up on the work bench yet for a real good inspection.

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Paj1369 @ 26/06/2010 19:09  

have you checked the amount of oil in each leg?or thethickness of the oil?

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whiteairedfox @ 26/06/2010 22:53  

Each time its been done, it's been replaced just as it says in the destruction book, both amounts and viscosity. This is why it's so annoying, everything seems to be ok, and done by the book, but it still blows the right side out after a few rides!.

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Paj1369 @ 27/06/2010 07:06  

is the book wrong@

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DeeStruction @ 29/06/2010 20:50  

I know it's a bit tedious but keep swaping bits between the legs and you can find it out from that, the problem will switch to the other side or stay with the lower leg, to start of swap all the upper half of the leg, if the leak moves to other side than you know it's somthing you moved over, if not it's somthing you left behind, then try individual bits till you find it

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Bikeabill @ 29/06/2010 21:17  

I knew an Eskimo that used to blow seals. I think be is in prison now...

(it was his manic-depressive brother that was killed by a bi-polar bear last week)

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TeeCee @ 30/06/2010 18:43  

if the left side has never been touched check the hight of the oil in that leg then compare with the right leg and the specs as errors are sometimes made. the hight of the oil is the important measurement not nessarily the quantity.

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yamahama @ 30/06/2010 19:24  

I've just booked the thing in for a major service, with a Honda dealer, and he says he's come across one of these (with the same problem,.. (in the right leg only). That was also an ex-service bike, but a ST1300AP, mines the A2 civilian one. He say's he knows why it's doing it, but just won't tell me yet! I'll update when I get to know,.. someone else might find it usefull if theirs starts been awkward!!!

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Paj1369 @ 30/06/2010 21:54  

I have done a lot of ST1300 forks Have an A2 myself and had a bit of trouble dropped the oil level and added 10mm more preload (spacer under top nut) total cure ! the forks as standard use hydro-locking as a bottom stop this on older hard used bikes blows the seals I think I set the oil level to 160mm standard is lot higher
This was as suggested for a customer by a suspension specialist worked for him so I tried it and is is good for me

My bike is ex Passenger Bikes one of the London bike Taxis so has had hard use !

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davewilkins500 @ 29/07/2010 19:07  

I'm not familiar with the ST1300 - I have the ST1100P. Is the anti-dive valve fitted inside the right leg? If it is it could be sticking and causing the seal to blow.

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Deleted Member @ 29/07/2010 21:03  

Had a Gixer 1100 K a few years ago, same prob, new seal ok for a couple of weeks then.....so replaced as thought seal might be a dud one....but....yep..leaked again after a few weeks! Then just ignored it, as it was only a very slight weep easily wiped off with a tissue. Interestingly the bike had been thrown down the road by the muppet that owned it previously, so, suspected that the fork leg had been bent by a small amount. Was going to do a fork overhaul and replace faulty leg, but, next doors mates nicked it before that happened......

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Deleted Member @ 05/08/2010 13:55  

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