Failed inspection v. how hard is it to rebuild forks?

[xrocket21]

So back in may, I got hassled for the 4th time for my plate location, so I put on a new undertail and mounted the plate correctly.

Then, of course, it has rained everyday since, so I have been waiting for an inspection.

Today, the clouds broke, and I went for it.

during my 30 minute lunch break, I took about 1.5 hours to ride quite a ways to get my bike inspected.

As expected I got shit about the undertail, but he said that was fine.

I failed for a leaky fork seal. I have had the bike for 2 years and never noticed it. I looked, and it IS a bit leaky, but I also havent ridden it in a month.



Do I wipe it off and take it somewhere else?

How hard is it to replace myself?

ill be damned if Im gonna pay someone $300 to replace a $10 seal.

What do I need? Shock oil and a seal kit? are the springs inside gonna take off my head when I take the shock apart?

Thanks for the help.

[KillBill]

GMD???

[Jim]

PM mmracer37

[xrocket21]

GMD???

I don't know what the means

[xrocket21]

how big of a safety issue is this?

im really leaning toward wiping off the tiny amount of oil and trying another place

[schleppy]

You could have GMD do it if you want it done 100% correctly. Or you could take a whack at it yourself. I've heard seals aren't tough to replace.

[Pittenger5]

how big of a safety issue is this?

True, its not like you NEED suspension. People ride rigids all the time.

[xrocket21]

True, its not like you NEED suspension. People ride rigids all the time.

suprisingly, 1 drop after sitting for a month isnt quite the same as a hole blown out the side of the shock body. There are varying degrees of leaks.

[Jim]

sounds like you got a leakage problem

[Pittenger5]

True, until a volvo bangs a left in front of you and you have a rigid cause you didnt fix it when you had the chance.

[Awesome]

(d) Front Fork Tube Suspension. Inspect and reject if: 1. Front fork suspension has been removed and replace with a solidconnection. 2. There is severe leakage (not slight dampness) of front fork tubeseal

[TheIglu]

Wipe it off and go back.

Before you do, wipe it off. Ride. Check it.

If it's leaking, replace the seal. If it's not, don't worry about it.

[xrocket21]

(d) Front Fork Tube Suspension. Inspect and reject if: 1. Front fork suspension has been removed and replace with a solidconnection. 2. There is severe leakage (not slight dampness) of front fork tubeseal

I would NOT call it severe leakage... as noted in the pic

[xrocket21]

Wipe it off and go back.

Before you do, wipe it off. Ride. Check it.

If it's leaking, replace the seal. If it's not, don't worry about it.

this is exactly what I was feeling, but I wanted a second opinion

thanks

[xrocket21]

bike is an 03 rc51 with 25,000 miles

[Awesome]

I would NOT call it severe leakage... as noted in the pic

That's my point, go back and get your sticker. Also tell us the name of the shop and tech.

[brady]

True, until a volvo bangs a left in front of you and you have a rigid cause you didnt fix it when you had the chance.

not to mention no brakes because the oil dripped onto the rotor/pads

wipe it to get it inspected if you must, but fix it SOON

[mycirus]

bike is an 03 rc51 with 25,000 miles

The RC's are wierd about the front fork seals. If you got 25k on em without being serviced its time to get them done anyway. Take it to PK and be done with it. Mine leaked on my RC 2 years ago, Peter fixed it and hasnt been an issue since.

[xrocket21]

definitely plan on doing both, obviously, even though the left is the only one leaking

[xrocket21]

That's my point, go back and get your sticker. Also tell us the name of the shop and tech.

ehhhhh, I dont think that is necessary, tech seemed like an okay guy

[Kurlon]

Yeah, the problem with fork seals is they can go from slight weep to full on gushers in one bump... hence why any sign of a leak results in an inspection failure. If that stuff touches your rotor, you loose any braking you might have had.

[Awesome]

ehhhhh, I dont think that is necessary, tech seemed like an okay guy

Sweet as pie I'm sure, even sweeter after you pay him more.

[wheelburns]

bike is an 03 rc51 with 25,000 miles

fork seals are not a big deal . . . easy to do with the correct driver.

just be sure to buy honda oem seals, the after market offerings are garbage.

if its leaking enough to fail its going to continue to leak.

and i agree 300 is alot but opening up a fork with no experience is just a dumb idea. a wrong instal and fork oil on your brakes and tire . . . i'm sure you can see where this is going . . . .

[stoinkythepig]

It's easy to replace seals. The factory service manual will spell out the procedure nicely. I highly recommend getting a factory service manual, even if you opt not to work on it yourself. They're cheap enough.

[xrocket21]

I have a digital version, the only tool that is specail i can see is a shock body holder.....