Super helpful. I found this tool on a bulletin board, but the video there showed a very different kind of bike. I have a goldwing too, so this was way more helpful, and encouraging to see a video from someone not trying to sell the product, showing it's effectiveness. Thanks!
Thank you! I hope you found some useful information. It worked for a year before it started leaking again for me. I appreciate you stopping by to watch and comment.
When I am in à road trip in a 3rd world country (I used this trick many times) and have a leaky fork seal, I craft a tool with à similar shape in a plastic Bottle. It systematically work wel as long as you protect your fork with a tissue after. This trick is amazing. This does not even worth to spend 5$, and wait for the delivery. Use some scissors and any tiny plastic sheet.
What great little tool that is, really well explained going through the process of using the tool, and as you say it's savings time money and effort to get the same result as a full rebuild, thanks for sharing 👍.
When I had new tires put on, they told me my right fork was leaking oil. Told me what it would cost for a fork rebuild (too much). So I did some investigation and found this tool. So far, it is not leaking in cold weather and it was before. I will have to wait some time to see if it leaks in hot weather.
You will have ti disassemble and drain the oil and put in a measured amount. I didn't lose enough to have to do that. If you have lost that much oil, you should probably just do a complete seal replacement.
I have one of those somewhere in my tool box. Used it on another bike years ago. Now that I've seen this, maybe it'll fix my leak. I had an annoying little squeak every time I hit a small bump. Now that it has a small leak, that little squeak has stopped. Hopefully the seal is not broken.
Hoping it works this time... last time I tried it, had a problem getting it in there properly w/o bending it... will try again, now that I've seen a video
Hello there. Have you had any other issues with your fork seals since making this video. I saw in the comments that after 7 months, they were still good. I was wondering if they’ve leaked since, or if you have done any other work to them.
The forks were still working correctly after 1 year, when I bought another motorcycle. I don't know how they were still working after I got rid of that motorcycle.
You know what else fixes leaking fork seals on an 1800 Gold Wing? Servicing the forks at the manufacturer recommended intervals. The forks on a Gold Wing need to be serviced every 20,000 miles. The lower guide bushings will have all their Teflon worn off, and continuing to ride like that will wear out and oblong the lower fork tube. Let the wear get bad enough, and the seals will get ruined because the upper and lower fork tubes get so out-of-parallel that the seal gets crushed. Doing a bodge job of the fork seals only hides the fact that your seals are indicating that your forks are shot and need to be rebuilt.
That is very true, but they were leaking because of a little dirt and grit in the seals. This little thing prevented the seals from leaking for another 2 years before having to rebuild them. Thank you for stopping by to watch and comment.
Usually seals go out due to rubber being dry and old, thus losing elasticity or cracks on the rubber.. Unless you just replaced your seals and they still leak I don't see the use for this tool and going thru the trouble. Put new seals in it!!
Well, I posted this video 7 months ago, and the seals still do not leak yet, so I have had seven months of riding. Seals can also leak because of dirt that gets embedded in them because of dirty forks (riding in the rain) for instance. This is where the Seal Mate works best. I have had seven months of riding without having to replace the seals yet. I will eventually replace them, but I plan to wait until the weather prevents comfortable riding.
On my Harley, changing fork oil should be done every 30K miles. I have done mine myself. I am a relatively “new to me” owner of an 08 GL1800. I am not sure what the service manual states. I need to check, but every year seems unreasonable. I am sure the specs are related more to mileage rather than time. Of course if you have a severe leak, it’s best to replace the seals and of course the oil.
Here’s the problem. If oil is getting out, contamination and water and grit we’re getting in at the same time.One of the most damaging things that happen that destroy fork seals is, insects that impact your fork tube and dry on there. you see the same thing on your windshield. A fork seal is nothing but a wiper. Just like on your windshield wipers. it’s not a bad idea to clean your four tubes every time you clean your windshield.. not only does fork oil get contaminated with water, grit, metal particles from your bushings wearing and your lower fork sliders, your fork springs rubbing inside the fork.. Oil also gets overheated and actually cooked..The next time you change fork oil, just look at it very closely as it comes out. You will see that it looks like gray oil with tiny metallic streaks .. that look like metal flake in paint Fork oil does not last forever
Super helpful. I found this tool on a bulletin board, but the video there showed a very different kind of bike. I have a goldwing too, so this was way more helpful, and encouraging to see a video from someone not trying to sell the product, showing it's effectiveness. Thanks!
You are welcome. I looked and also could not find a video showing a Goldwing, and since I decided to try it, I also decided to make a video of it.
Had tool for a year, now I know how to get to it, very good job, you OldCodger. THANK YOU
You are very welcome.
I just ordered one based on your video and Biker Bits made a video too. Thanks!
It doesn't work for everyone, but is cheap to try. When it does work, it saves a LOT of money. Good luck!
Your video was very well done and I like the calm music you played with your video.Thanks for the information you gave. This may buy some time for me.
Thank you! I hope you found some useful information. It worked for a year before it started leaking again for me. I appreciate you stopping by to watch and comment.
Thank you a million times.
You are welcome! Any time I find something simple that works, I am always happy to share with others.
When I am in à road trip in a 3rd world country (I used this trick many times) and have a leaky fork seal, I craft a tool with à similar shape in a plastic Bottle. It systematically work wel as long as you protect your fork with a tissue after. This trick is amazing. This does not even worth to spend 5$, and wait for the delivery. Use some scissors and any tiny plastic sheet.
Yes, and it does work very well. This fix lasted until I recently bought a newer motorcycle. I really appreciate you stopping by to watch and comment.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful video sir ❤❤❤❤❤❤ very informative 😮😮😮😮😮
Thank you, my friend! I hope you found some useful information. Thank you for stopping by to watch and comment.
What great little tool that is, really well explained going through the process of using the tool, and as you say it's savings time money and effort to get the same result as a full rebuild, thanks for sharing 👍.
Thank you, Steve! I hope you found some useful information. Thank you for stopping by to watch and comment.
that was a cool video ..thanks
When I had new tires put on, they told me my right fork was leaking oil. Told me what it would cost for a fork rebuild (too much). So I did some investigation and found this tool. So far, it is not leaking in cold weather and it was before. I will have to wait some time to see if it leaks in hot weather.
what about replacing lost fork oil?How do you know how much to add?
You will have ti disassemble and drain the oil and put in a measured amount. I didn't lose enough to have to do that. If you have lost that much oil, you should probably just do a complete seal replacement.
I have one of those somewhere in my tool box. Used it on another bike years ago. Now that I've seen this, maybe it'll fix my leak.
I had an annoying little squeak every time I hit a small bump. Now that it has a small leak, that little squeak has stopped. Hopefully the seal is not broken.
Good luck! Mine is still holding after all this time.
Hoping it works this time... last time I tried it, had a problem getting it in there properly w/o bending it... will try again, now that I've seen a video
Yes, it is hard to get it in there. You have to push against the fork tube and wiggle it down in a little at a time. Good luck!
Hello there. Have you had any other issues with your fork seals since making this video. I saw in the comments that after 7 months, they were still good. I was wondering if they’ve leaked since, or if you have done any other work to them.
The forks were still working correctly after 1 year, when I bought another motorcycle. I don't know how they were still working after I got rid of that motorcycle.
Amazing
Thank you! I hope you found some useful information. I appreciate you stopping by to watch and comment.
I just ordered a two-pack for $11 just to keep on hand. The seals on my 08 are still fine
So far, after my seal cleaning, my forks are still O.K. Thank you for stopping by to watch and comment.
You know what else fixes leaking fork seals on an 1800 Gold Wing? Servicing the forks at the manufacturer recommended intervals.
The forks on a Gold Wing need to be serviced every 20,000 miles. The lower guide bushings will have all their Teflon worn off, and continuing to ride like that will wear out and oblong the lower fork tube. Let the wear get bad enough, and the seals will get ruined because the upper and lower fork tubes get so out-of-parallel that the seal gets crushed.
Doing a bodge job of the fork seals only hides the fact that your seals are indicating that your forks are shot and need to be rebuilt.
That is very true, but they were leaking because of a little dirt and grit in the seals. This little thing prevented the seals from leaking for another 2 years before having to rebuild them. Thank you for stopping by to watch and comment.
Usually seals go out due to rubber being dry and old, thus losing elasticity or cracks on the rubber..
Unless you just replaced your seals and they still leak I don't see the use for this tool and going thru the trouble.
Put new seals in it!!
Well, I posted this video 7 months ago, and the seals still do not leak yet, so I have had seven months of riding. Seals can also leak because of dirt that gets embedded in them because of dirty forks (riding in the rain) for instance. This is where the Seal Mate works best. I have had seven months of riding without having to replace the seals yet. I will eventually replace them, but I plan to wait until the weather prevents comfortable riding.
I just ordered one , i got quoted $550 . The bike is only 17,000 miles and 2012 .
Thank you for stopping by to watch and comment.
Tried it and would not work 😢
If You have scratches on the tubes, or really bad bushings, sadly it will not work. I appreciate you stopping by to watch and comment.
could do without the trance music :)
Thank you! I hope I didn't put you to sleep with the music. Thank you for stopping by to watch and comment.
FORK OIL IS SUPPOSE TO BE CHANGED YEARLY....DONT ACTUALLY THINK ANYONE DOES IT TILL SEALS ARE GONE...NICE TEMP FIX..!
.
On my Harley, changing fork oil should be done every 30K miles. I have done mine myself.
I am a relatively “new to me” owner of an 08 GL1800. I am not sure what the service manual states. I need to check, but every year seems unreasonable. I am sure the specs are related more to mileage rather than time. Of course if you have a severe leak, it’s best to replace the seals and of course the oil.
Here’s the problem. If oil is getting out, contamination and water and grit we’re getting in at the same time.One of the most damaging things that happen that destroy fork seals is, insects that impact your fork tube and dry on there. you see the same thing on your windshield. A fork seal is nothing but a wiper. Just like on your windshield wipers. it’s not a bad idea to clean your four tubes every time you clean your windshield..
not only does fork oil get contaminated with water, grit, metal particles from your bushings wearing and your lower fork sliders, your fork springs rubbing inside the fork.. Oil also gets overheated and actually cooked..The next time you change fork oil, just look at it very closely as it comes out. You will see that it looks like gray oil with tiny metallic streaks .. that look like metal flake in paint
Fork oil does not last forever
Good advice. I ALWAYS clean the fork tubes after every ride. Thank you for stopping by to watch and comment.