Fork seal question - SV650.org

11-01-11, 01:44 PM

Hello.
I'm having a nightmare replacing my fork seals, second new set just fitted, and they are leaking again, despite me being fairly competent. I'm following the bluepoof guide. The seals have a metal spring inside them, and I have fitted the seals, with this facing UPWARDS, is this correct? I'm pretty sure the old seals came out this way, and the guide confirms this, but, in this picture, from the site, the seal is being held upside down, or is this the way they are supposed to go on? On my bike I've fitted them with the upper lip (in the picture) facing down. Thanks
http://www.bluepoof.com/motorcycles/...e=351_5181.JPG

11-01-11, 01:50 PM

I think that seal is the right way up!

11-01-11, 01:55 PM

I'm a little confused actually, surely that picture shows the seals with the spring on the upper side?

Spanner Man · 11-01-11, 01:59 PM

Good afternoon all.

That'll be upside down then. Often the new seals will differ from the old ones in appearance if they're a different make.

Many fork seals have a spring on either side which could have confused you.

Cheers.

Sid Squid · 11-01-11, 02:16 PM

The closed end goes upwards.

11-01-11, 02:30 PM

Pretty sure lip upwards when i did mine.

Just checked the manual, yes the lip faces upwards, so in the photo it is orientated correctly.

yorkie_chris · 11-01-11, 02:42 PM

Bluepoof site is incorrect on some important points, do not IMO follow it. They are wrong to produce a how-to guide without adding caveat that they really don't know what they're on about.

If you have put seals in correct way, i.e with closed side upwards. and they blew twice, make sure you a) have correct seals b) have no marks on fork tubes c) are not using far too much oil.

Thinkin about direction of seals, imagine pressure needing to squeeze seal tighter against tube.

12-01-11, 12:59 AM

Its easy to get the wrong seals as different manufactures are using identicle model numbers for different sized seals!

12-01-11, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickhew

On my bike I've fitted them with the upper lip (in the picture) facing down. Thanks
http://www.bluepoof.com/motorcycles/...e=351_5181.JPG

You installed it backwards.
When not sure look at seal, it is U shaped. U shaped side always down facing oil.

12-01-11, 05:48 AM

Yes my mistake, they're upside down, thanks for all your replies, I'll strip them again. Still, cheaper than the £100 my local bike shop quoted! Next time I'll do a forum search, this question has been answered before.

11-01-11, 01:44 PM	#1
mickhew Guest Posts: n/a	Fork seal question Hello. I'm having a nightmare replacing my fork seals, second new set just fitted, and they are leaking again, despite me being fairly competent. I'm following the bluepoof guide. The seals have a metal spring inside them, and I have fitted the seals, with this facing UPWARDS, is this correct? I'm pretty sure the old seals came out this way, and the guide confirms this, but, in this picture, from the site, the seal is being held upside down, or is this the way they are supposed to go on? On my bike I've fitted them with the upper lip (in the picture) facing down. Thanks http://www.bluepoof.com/motorcycles/...e=351_5181.JPG

11-01-11, 01:50 PM	#2
sam anon Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Fork seal question I think that seal is the right way up!

11-01-11, 01:55 PM	#3
sam anon Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Fork seal question I'm a little confused actually, surely that picture shows the seals with the spring on the upper side?

11-01-11, 01:59 PM	#4
Spanner Man Member Mega Poster Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sunbury Middlesex Posts: 1,396	Re: Fork seal question Good afternoon all. That'll be upside down then. Often the new seals will differ from the old ones in appearance if they're a different make. Many fork seals have a spring on either side which could have confused you. Cheers. __________________ Spanner Man http://stewarts-motorcycles.co.uk/default.html

11-01-11, 02:16 PM	#5
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Re: Fork seal question The closed end goes upwards. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

11-01-11, 02:30 PM	#6
beabert Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Fork seal question Pretty sure lip upwards when i did mine. Just checked the manual, yes the lip faces upwards, so in the photo it is orientated correctly. Last edited by beabert; 11-01-11 at 02:34 PM.

11-01-11, 02:42 PM	#7
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Fork seal question Bluepoof site is incorrect on some important points, do not IMO follow it. They are wrong to produce a how-to guide without adding caveat that they really don't know what they're on about. If you have put seals in correct way, i.e with closed side upwards. and they blew twice, make sure you a) have correct seals b) have no marks on fork tubes c) are not using far too much oil. Thinkin about direction of seals, imagine pressure needing to squeeze seal tighter against tube. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

12-01-11, 12:59 AM	#8
beabert Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Fork seal question Its easy to get the wrong seals as different manufactures are using identicle model numbers for different sized seals!

12-01-11, 05:48 AM	#10
mickhew Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Fork seal question Yes my mistake, they're upside down, thanks for all your replies, I'll strip them again. Still, cheaper than the £100 my local bike shop quoted! Next time I'll do a forum search, this question has been answered before.

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