| Author | Message | ||
     Swanthog |
Hello, All! The right fork on my '06 XB12X has a leak that will not stop after replacing the seal 3 times. I wonder if these parallel wear marks (~15sec mark) on the fork tube have something to do with it. They are not noticeable to the touch. What do you think?: https://youtube.com/shorts/0iBCccJ1yoA?feature=sha re | ||
| Heavy18 |
I don't have a ton of experience here but I do have some recent first-hand experience with my '06 XB12X... Not sure what you mean by "leak" but IMO what I see on your fork might cause a slight "weep" but not what I would call a leak. When mine was leaking it would leave a puddle on the floor next to the wheel... It covered the brake caliper in oil... It cause a lot of dirt to collect around the bottom of the fork on rides. It was legitimately LEAKING. I replaced my fork seals and the leak came back with a vengeance. I was advised to change the guide bushings. I did some research and decided I should replace the guide bushings and slide bushings. I have done that, with new seals, and after an 800 mile road trip there is no leaking, I'm hopeful the issue is resolved. Fork Slide bushing PN: J8138.3A8 Fork Guide bushing PN: 46343-06 Ultimately I ended up purchasing at a local HD shop, they had the Guide Bushing in stock but had to order the Slide bushings. But price was cheap and all parts were available within 4 days. For the seals I just use the all-balls available on Amazon (PN: 56-133-1). If you don't have an HD shop local you can purchase online from St.Paul or Twin Cycles (and I'm sure others). I kept my old bearings because in the end they are just Showa parts and MUST be available from dozens of online or local sources if you know exact measurements ... alas I haven't put the calipers to them yet. I was talking to service guys at a local shop that do a lot of work on dirt bikes and they said they could more than likely match them and probably with something they have in stock... still haven't verified that claim though. | ||
| Swanthog |
Thanks, Heavy. The fork was apart last weekend for installation of a new/different seal -- factory HD from St. Paul's this time. The bushings were looking a little ratty so I stopped work and ordered them. You have given me hope these will stop the leak. QQ: The oil seal forms a sort-of cone shape. How did you orient yours on the fork tube. taper down or taper up? Thanks! | ||
| Swanthog |
Manual says "marked side facing dust seal". I'm hoping the factory original has any markings at all and on one side only:  | ||
| Heavy18 |
These things confuse me to no end... I watched a YouTube video of a guy doing this job on an SS or the likes and he said that if you look at the seal there is an end with two lips and an end with one lip, the two lip end goes into the fork first. That made the most sense to me: two seals toward the oil... Here is a clip from the video. When he says "towards the top" he means as you ride it, so inverted... Even this is confusing to me! So to SIMPLIFY: two lips toward the oil! (Which would be away from the dust seal - and I honestly can't recall where that put the marked side.) I used the electrical tape and started it below that channel and just wrap it all the way to the top of the fork. I applied a little bit of new fork oil to the seal and it slid right on. | ||
| Swanthog |
I feel you, Heavy. The aftermarket seal had "markings" on both sides adding to the confusion. On the factory seal, one side has "markings" and a few characters of alphanumeric text. The other side of the seal has none of this. The side with markings corresponds to the taper mentioned earlier:   | ||
| Zacks |
A tip I got a long time ago from an article (I Think was Nick Ienatsch) was to grab some cotton balls and rub them up and down the fork sliders. Any little burr that could cause a leak would snag some fibers and show where you had to address an issue. | ||
| Swanthog |
Solid tip. Thanks.  |
