2002 Fork Seal Leak again

[RUMRUNR]

I have been having Left Hand fork seal problems for way to long.

An authorized Honda motorcycle shop / dealer that shall remain unnamed for now has done the job 3 times.

The work they do will last about a month and then it is leaking again so I decided to do the job myself, I can't do any worse than them.

Before I started the rebuild I looked at the fork tubes and saw some small scratches running vertically where the oil seal & dust seal ride so bought new fork tubes, I also bought the Honda fork rebuild kit.

Here is where my question comes into play: I got to the part where I removed the fork center bolts to drain the oil, to my surprise both bolts were the same length, 8 x 27. From all that I understand the bolt in the Left Hand Fork should be shorter, 8 x 18, at this point I stopped and decided to post this question: Could the longer bolt in the Left Hand Fork be creating my seal leak. Like I say I stopped there, Honda put a shorter bolt in the Left Hand Fork for a reason and the dealer didn't use the correct bolt.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

I have been having Left Hand fork seal problems for way to long.

An authorized Honda motorcycle shop / dealer that shall remain unnamed for now has done the job 3 times.

The work they do will last about a month and then it is leaking again so I decided to do the job myself, I can't do any worse than them.

Before I started the rebuild I looked at the fork tubes and saw some small scratches running vertically where the oil seal & dust seal ride so bought new fork tubes, I also bought the Honda fork rebuild kit.

Here is where my question comes into play: I got to the part where I removed the fork center bolts to drain the oil, to my surprise both bolts were the same length, 8 x 27. From all that I understand the bolt in the Left Hand Fork should be shorter, 8 x 18, at this point I stopped and decided to post this question: Could the longer bolt in the Left Hand Fork be creating my seal leak. Like I say I stopped there, Honda put a shorter bolt in the Left Hand Fork for a reason and the dealer didn't use the correct bolt.

The longer bolt is because of the damper on the right side. The scratches sound like the culprit.

 

[RUMRUNR]

The longer bolt is because of the damper on the right side. The scratches sound like the culprit.

Thanks Jim,

So no way the 27mm long bolt in the LH Fork where the 18mm long bolt should be could create a problem, like create more pressure because the bolt is obstructing fluid movement?

I trust what you say, you always have solid answers, just trying to figure out why Honda didn't use the 27mm length bolt on both sides from the factory if it didn't make a difference.

I agree the scratches are some or all of the problem.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Thanks Jim,

So no way the 27mm long bolt in the LH Fork where the 18mm long bolt should be could create a problem, like create more pressure because the bolt is obstructing fluid movement?

I trust what you say, you always have solid answers, just trying to figure out why Honda didn't use the 27mm length bolt on both sides from the factory if it didn't make a difference.

I agree the scratches are some or all of the problem.

Are your springs in good shape and are you replacing the bushings ??

Make sure you don't overfill the fluid. I usually leave 1/2" low in each and only use Amsoil Synthetic ATF. Lasts forever and fork bushings wear very little.

 

[RUMRUNR]

Are you springs in good shape and are you replacing the bushings ??

Make sure you don't overfill the fluid. I usually leave 1/2" low in each and only use Amsoil Synthetic ATF. Lasts forever and fork bushings wear very little.

I have not pulled them apart yet but i will check the spring height, yes I am going to replace the bushings & all of the seals.

I bought Maxima 15 weight fork oil to use but if you say use only Amsoil Synthetic ATF I will us that.

They say the oil level should be at 5" down, I will set it at 5-1/2" down, sounds like you have had good luck doing that.

 

[LadyonaMission]

Delbert, I hope you get your trike fixed and come back down to Texas.

 

[RUMRUNR]

Delbert, I hope you get your trike fixed and come back down to Texas.

Thanks Lola,

I will get it fixed one way or another, I don't give up, just gettin' a little tired of throwing $$$$ at it with the dealership.

Really enjoyed the time & rides with ya'll, when is the next get together?

 

[triwinggirl]

constant fork issues are why i finally installed the Eurowing front end. plus i got an oilless frontend with are car tire with no rake. talk about power steering this front end will put you into a curb if you move to fast plus i got a steering dampener.

.

 

[triwinggirl]

some words of wisdom

hi; as you can see i also ride a 2002 goldwing trike. over the years i have replaced my forks 3 times. the first 2 times i bought new forks that eurowing had from removing them from new bikes. he sold me new forks for $400 a pair. please understand the rake on your front end is causing your forks to barrel inside. replacing the seals will not fix the problem. your lower tubes must be replaced. this is why i searched out new forks until i found eurowing. new lower fork tubes cost more than new complete tubes from eurowing. as i have shown in my previous post the last replacement was the eurowing front end, i no longer have any fork issues. the eurowing front end is not raked, is has oilless slides, front mounted shocks, a car tire, and a steering dampener. this all bolts right up, this is also a major modification. you need a experienced mechanic to do the work. your local shop may not have the skills. in the end this modification will solve your fork and tire issues.

 

[RUMRUNR]

hi; as you can see i also ride a 2002 goldwing trike. over the years i have replaced my forks 3 times. the first 2 times i bought new forks that eurowing had from removing them from new bikes. he sold me new forks for $400 a pair. please understand the rake on your front end is causing your forks to barrel inside. replacing the seals will not fix the problem. your lower tubes must be replaced. this is why i searched out new forks until i found eurowing. new lower fork tubes cost more than new complete tubes from eurowing. as i have shown in my previous post the last replacement was the eurowing front end, i no longer have any fork issues. the eurowing front end is not raked, is has oilless slides, front mounted shocks, a car tire, and a steering dampener. this all bolts right up, this is also a major modification. you need a experienced mechanic to do the work. your local shop may not have the skills. in the end this modification will solve your fork and tire issues.

Update:

Yep, I understand what you are saying about the rake creating the problem after I got the forks apart. All of the bushing were toast and the oil looked like used motor oil from all of the bushing parts. I checked the inside of the lower legs & they looked good. I did a complete rebuild using new upper fork legs, all new bushings & seals. Took Jim's suggestion and used Amsoil ATF for the fork fluid, got about 500 miles on the rebuild and no leaks yet. Thanks for the help Jim. The bushing problem should have been caught by the dealer the 3 times they put new seals in the forks, live & learn, I am now doing all of my own work, if it goes wrong nobody to blame but me.