What did you do in your garage today..?

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Relax said:
I made a copy of the Seal Mate out of a soda bottle. I was so amazed how well it worked on every leaking fork seal I came across that I spent the money to buy a Seal Doctor that makes the job 10x easier, faster, and less oil leakage. The trick is to bounce your forks several times after cleaning to reseal.
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I am certainly a believer. It's quite crazy to think the money spent on replacing seals that just needed a good clean out. I've saved 3 forks from leaks with a homemade one.
 
KWDRZ said:
I am certainly a believer. It's quite crazy to think the money spent on replacing seals that just needed a good clean out. I've saved 3 forks from leaks with a homemade one.
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I had my ST for 140,000 km and had a leaking seal once. A homemade seal cleaner worked to fix it. Getting the plastic fork guard and the dusk deal out of the way was a pain, but after that no problem.
 
Seal Mate works for seals that have been contaminated with debris that has passed the dust seal, they won't rejuvenate a damaged or worn seal.

It's a good fix if you catch and get to it fast, it doesn't take a long time for debris to damage a fork seal.

I remember hitting a porcupine in Calabogie a few years back, I was riding an M50 with USD forks and the quills got into the seal, and the fork juice leaked out over my brakes. I fashioned a SealMate from a water bottle -- got me home.
 
Mad Mike said:
Seal Mate works for seals that have been contaminated with debris that has passed the dust seal, they won't rejuvenate a damaged or worn seal.
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Yup, but that goes without saying. The double-edged sword of inverted forks is that even a slight leak will be noticeable right away, which gives you notice before things get bad.
 
Cage got an oil change. Oof. Oil and filter (parts only) was $119. Need to try to plan ahead better and find a more cost-effective source. On the upside, it is 15K interval. Mityvac oil change is definitely the way to go. Faster than jacking/stands, pull engine tray, pull drain plug and reinstall everything. Gets everything except for a few drips.
 
GreyGhost said:
Cage got an oil change. Oof. Oil and filter (parts only) was $119. Need to try to plan ahead better and find a more cost-effective source. On the upside, it is 15K interval. Mityvac oil change is definitely the way to go. Faster than jacking/stands, pull engine tray, pull drain plug and reinstall everything. Gets everything except for a few drips.
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Yikes! My OF parts are around $30 for conventional and $50 for synthetic. Does you care have a huge sump or does if use designer oil?
 
Mad Mike said:
Yikes! My OF parts are around $30 for conventional and $50 for synthetic. Does you care have a huge sump or does if use designer oil?
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Oil was $14 a litre from a third party supplier. That guy didn't have a filter in stock so I had to get one from dealer for ~$35. One year or 15K km interval. Car is picky about oil. Cheap oil will bring pain later.

If I was in the US, I could get the supplies for $67 USD. If I pull the drain plug, it needs a replacement plug for 9 USD. Stupid plastic crap.
 
GreyGhost said:
Oil was $14 a litre from a third party supplier. That guy didn't have a filter in stock so I had to get one from dealer for ~$35. One year or 15K km interval. Car is picky about oil. Cheap oil will bring pain later.

If I was in the US, I could get the supplies for $67 USD. If I pull the drain plug, it needs a replacement plug for 9 USD. Stupid plastic crap.
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Volkswagen?

Sent from the future
 
GreyGhost said:
Oil was $14 a litre from a third party supplier. That guy didn't have a filter in stock so I had to get one from dealer for ~$35. One year or 15K km interval. Car is picky about oil. Cheap oil will bring pain later.

If I was in the US, I could get the supplies for $67 USD. If I pull the drain plug, it needs a replacement plug for 9 USD. Stupid plastic crap.
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Stock up from Partsavatar. You can buy WIX filters in bulk if you plan on keeping the vehicle a while. Usually a good deal on oil there also. Stock up on cabin and intake filters while you're at it.
 
Hardwrkr13 said:
Stock up from Partsavatar. You can buy WIX filters in bulk if you plan on keeping the vehicle a while. Usually a good deal on oil there also. Stock up on cabin and intake filters while you're at it.
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Thx, a small bit cheaper on oil, a lot cheaper on filters (as expected).
 
Changed the fork oil in both legs. Stripped the hex bolt in the fork so I hope it doesn't leak oil anytime soon or else I have to open that part and change the seals. Thursday I have to check valve clearences and spark plugs for the first time in 75k.... Dreading it.
 
Relax said:
I made a copy of the Seal Mate out of a soda bottle. I was so amazed how well it worked on every leaking fork seal I came across that I spent the money to buy a Seal Doctor that makes the job 10x easier, faster, and less oil leakage. The trick is to bounce your forks several times after cleaning to reseal.
Click to expand...

i used the seal mate too as the first fix. still leaked after the clean. guess it was time to replace all the rubber....

and my plan to remove the forks and dropping them off instead of the whole bike, no can do, my front head stand pin for my yellow bike doesnt fit my red bike.
 
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afici0nad0 said:
i used the seal mate too as the first fix. still leaked after the clean. guess it was time to replace all the rubber....

and my plan to remove the forks and dropping them off instead of the whole bike, no can do, my front head stand pin for my yellow bike doesnt fit my red bike.
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I never use a fork stand for this operation -- just can jack the bike to drop the front wheel, then drop the forks.
 
GreyGhost said:
Cage got an oil change. Oof. Oil and filter (parts only) was $119. Need to try to plan ahead better and find a more cost-effective source. On the upside, it is 15K interval. Mityvac oil change is definitely the way to go. Faster than jacking/stands, pull engine tray, pull drain plug and reinstall everything. Gets everything except for a few drips.
Click to expand...
I wait for the twice yearly sales of synthetic oil at Canadian Tire when it's about 50% off. Regardless of when my oil change is due I'll buy a jug on sale and put it on the shelf. I'm lucky, the filter for my CX-3 is less than $15 at the dealer and they toss in a crush washer.
 
afici0nad0 said:
i used the seal mate too as the first fix. still leaked after the clean. guess it was time to replace all the rubber....

and my plan to remove the forks and dropping them off instead of the whole bike, no can do, my front head stand pin for my yellow bike doesnt fit my red bike.
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Too big or too small? If too small, and you have a pin approx 1/2" in size, try a 1/2 drive socket of appropriate size to fit the hole.
 
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