2nd left fork seal in 60 days

[cjmitch]

Ok this is getting silly. I have another left front for seal leak... not blown yet just leaking.
2nd one in 60 days.
and have already replaced the left tube.

I'm beginning to think that the seal blowing is a symptom of something else going on I read that the ADV might be stuck, any one got anything on this...
this is getting ridiculous. I know the roads in Ohio aint THAT bad!!!!

Oh yes... Gl1800
Trike, Motor trike
No rake

 

[saab9k]

Ok this is getting silly. I have another left front for seal leak... not blown yet just leaking.
2nd one in 60 days.
and have already replaced the left tube.

I'm beginning to think that the seal blowing is a symptom of something else going on I read that the ADV might be stuck, any one got anything on this...
this is getting ridiculous. I know the roads in Ohio aint THAT bad!!!!

Oh yes... Gl1800
Trike, Motor trike
No rake

could be it was not done right the first time.

Take it back to the shop. ( warranty )

 

[msrvpeig]

I blew a left front fork seal on my '05 @88,000 miles. My mechanic determined the Teflon coated fork bushing was the culprit. The Teflon had worn off. Incidentally, I had bypassed the ADV years ago. I've got almost 96k on it now.

 

[msocko3]

If everything is in good shape internally and the tube is good I would look at the ADV next.

 

[Gold Rush]

Ok this is getting silly. I have another left front for seal leak... not blown yet just leaking.
2nd one in 60 days.
and have already replaced the left tube.

I'm beginning to think that the seal blowing is a symptom of something else going on I read that the ADV might be stuck, any one got anything on this...
this is getting ridiculous. I know the roads in Ohio aint THAT bad!!!!

Oh yes... Gl1800
Trike, Motor trike
No rake

I can't tell you if it's intermittently sticking but I can tell you how to check for full on jammed Anti Dive Valve. Get on the trike and lock up the front brake using the right hand handle only. You should be able to pump the forks pretty easily. Now release the front brake and lock up the rear and again pump the forks. This time you should not be able to get any movement. If the ADV is jammed up you will not get movement in either step one or two.

That ADV is a real mystery. I have nearly 200,000 miles on GL1800s and have never had a single problem with the ADV. I've rebuilt forks a few times because they were flat worn out and once had a very slight seep but not really a leak.

The only way you'll really know if it's a nicked seal is to pull it apart and inspect them. Trouble with that is the down time if you find one and don't have a new replacement in hand. It's annoying to say the least but this one may take some tear down...

If you do find the ADV locked up there is lots of information on the boards for defeating them. Sorry I can't help you there.

GOOD LUCK !!

 

[FRR]

As someone who rides these Ohio roads, ( just in the southern part of the state), I had the same thing happen. I had 63,000 on the bike when the left seal failed and 5,000 miles later it did it again. Who knows why. My tech advised me to wipe off my forks before every ride, since crap gets on them and can cause seals to fail. But, the Wing has a fairly good size guard that protects most of the forks so I am not as good at doing that as I should be. I still have the other seal in case it fails again. Why replace the right one if it isn't leaking, right?

 

[cjmitch]

I did remember something, I rode over 2 parking lot speed bumps the night before I noticed the leak. I say "leak" because I have not seen any puddling of fork oil, just on the ROF. So Im going to check the ADV this weekend, open it clean it the re-bleed it, and see what happens.

 

[cjmitch]

Ok after all of the advice on my left seal, I did a little mechnical investigation.

Everyone kept telling me that it was more likely than not that the ADV was malfunctioning or just plain broken.
Well I decided that the least expensive fix was to just flush the damn thing.

So out came the mit-e-vac, and after massive amounts of frustration (just like when bleeding the clutch). I got it flushed. the fluid was NOT healthy. It looked like watered down snot, with lots of floaties (web like).
Who at honda designed these stupid bleeders, they will not get a good seal if they are cracked even a little bit. Im going to buy some bleeder screws and gring off the point and make them permanent bleeders.

any how... i digress...
After the bleed I took the bike out on the freeway, and I did notice difference in the front end of the bike, I could actually FEEL the forks adjusting to the undulations in the road. I know I had not felt this before. I don't think it leaking anymore, but its hard to tell as you know this stuff gets in, and on everything everywhere.

Tonight I wil try lubricating the ADV pin and seeing what happens after that, but it is encouraging that there is no constant leak.