FAQ Register Login |
showa fork oil leak, mille gen 1 |
Post Reply |
Author | |
nation
Moto3 racer Joined: 02 Oct 2020 Location: derbyshire Status: Offline Points: 82 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 29 Aug 2021 at 09:59 |
Morning, recently changed the oil, oil/dust seals on my Showa forks, not ridden the bike since, I've just noticed one fork leg is leaking oil ? any ideas what this can be ?
cheers Ross.
|
|
wigginsjp
Premium Member Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: calne Status: Offline Points: 3460 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hi Ross
Unless it’s just residue oil from the rebuild I can only assume the oil seal is either not seated correctly or has some dirt under it. Even a small stone chip or mark in the fork finish can cause a leak.
You could try a seal mate or fork scraper, clean the leg up and pump it up and down several times and monitor. If it still does it you need to strip and check again. |
|
Aprilia RSVR Factory 2007 V2 1060cc Big Bore
Aprilia RSVR Factory 2004 Race Bike Kawasaki ZX10R 2007 Race Bike Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory 2020 www.apriliaperformance.co.uk www.apworkshops.co.uk |
|
tfcoulson
Moto2 racer Joined: 23 Oct 2016 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 160 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
apologies to slightly hijack, but need to do my own showas. Did you need any special tools and is there a decent guide with pics anywhere?
|
|
nation
Moto3 racer Joined: 02 Oct 2020 Location: derbyshire Status: Offline Points: 82 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
hi there, it was the first time I did mine without spring compressor etc was a bit of a struggle to be honest without correct tools but straight forward enough, however I did buy a sealey fork seal driver to drive in the oil seal straight , Showa forks on a gen 1 are 43mm I believe so will need a seal driver 42-43 in the sealed range. I hope this helps,
To be slick buy a fork spring compressor and a damper rod if your going to do this regular, I will be investing as mine is a track bike and will be tinkering with my forks a lot. Ross
|
|
IanG
Premium Member Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Location: N Wales Status: Offline Points: 10725 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
If you want the quick ghetto version of the fork strip watch this and it's sequels as it's basically the same Showa fork as the Mille uses You can make or buy the few tools other than the aforementioned seal driver,namely a spring compressor and some way of holding the damper rod for bleeding. I made a compressor collar from a short piece of steel tubing and tapped a couple of 180o opposed holes to take caphead screws,the holding rod was just a nut from a spare fork leg with a length of bar threaded to it. There are also good pictorial steps shown in the workshop manual available on here with pictures of the tools needed It's great fun exploring and modifying the (incredibly basic) damping cartridge internals and finding cause and effect on handling. Best course of action is to source a pair of tatty or even bent fork legs to give a supply of shims and valves allowing you to juggle shim packs easily. You can turn the lumbering old Mille into a scalpel that'll turn inside a 6oo supersport just by some careful shim re stacking between the compression and rebound valves if you get your hands dirty and dive in. If it doesn't do what you want first time it's easy enough to strip out the cartridge and make adjustments when you've done it once and know what's what. |
|
www.apworkshops.co.uk
www.apriliaforum.co.uk www.apriliaownersclub.co.uk Looking forward to the next track day |
|
legend88
Premium Member Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Location: Newcastle Status: Offline Points: 6598 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Looks just like a Moto GP workshop!
|
|
tfcoulson
Moto2 racer Joined: 23 Oct 2016 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 160 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Perfect thanks, also looks like my workshoo.
|
|
tfcoulson
Moto2 racer Joined: 23 Oct 2016 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 160 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Sooo.... Not sure if somethings wrong, but was playing about, (havent got the spring compressor yet), and I've taken it all apart without needing the spring compressor. I undid the bolt at the bottom for the damper rod and unscrewed the top of the forks and whole lot comes apart without needing to undo the top two nuts to take the top part off (that you need the compressor for). Am I missing something here? All the internals are out?
|
|
Spoonz
Admins Group Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: North Devon Status: Offline Points: 10726 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Nope thats about it. A spring compressor just helps access to the damper rod nuts but I just putt a screwdriver through the spring and pull it down.
|
|
IanG
Premium Member Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Location: N Wales Status: Offline Points: 10725 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Yup,that's all you need to do a thorough oil change The fun is in dissecting the cartridge and getting into the shim stacks and valving,which incidentally can also be done without disturbing the the top rebound assy if you don't want to. |
|
www.apworkshops.co.uk
www.apriliaforum.co.uk www.apriliaownersclub.co.uk Looking forward to the next track day |
|
tfcoulson
Moto2 racer Joined: 23 Oct 2016 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 160 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Don't think I'm interested in that level of fun ha, Ill stick to replacing the seals and oil! Thanks,
|
|
Tifa
Moto GP Alien I am Sparticus, only uglier Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1972 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Before you pull them to bits again, try running a piece of old 35mm negative up into the seals and work it around the stanchion. If there's any debris preventing a perfect seal this should dislodge it.
Did you cover the top of the stanchion with a bit of oily plastic bag when you slid the new seals onto the stanchions, if not the machined top edge of the stanchion can sometimes cut into the sealing lip. Also...how long has the bike been standing? Seals don't like to be left to dry out.
|
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |