Fix Leaking Fork Seals with Seal Mate

[Mojo-Jojo]

+1 for the plastic milk bottle fix, just done my right hand fork, not a leak in sight. 

[Fat Rat]

Does Semi Skimmed work okay?

[kwackboy]

Skimmed surely   .. 

[Joe Rocket]

If it's "passed your eyes" it must be resolved! 

[Rusty Nuts]

I dairyou to keep this going.

[Barbel Mick]

Let's not have anyone milking it though.

[Angus]

Going to do the udder one now .

[Mep]

That's enough dairy puns. Let's moove on.

[Mojo-Jojo]

Just make sure the bottle is sterilised.

[Fritz]

So...having made a film 'Seal Mate' and a milk bottle one and tried bothe repeatedly...a question...

what's the trick? I've singularly not managed to gain entry past seal however gentle or forceful (relative term) I am...what is the trick - just try try again? Any tips tricks suggestions welcome.

Is it worth buying an actual seal mate on basis that is what they do?

The film seems far too insubstantial and bend easily, the bottle bit firmer but same - perhaps its all in the angle of approach.

Its a 2009 650 incase there's a 'ahhh...they don't work on that model'.

Don't think removing mudguard will make any difference, it just seems an impossible task

Could really do with some helpful advice thanks 

[Fritz]

Or has anyone any practical recommendations of use on on the likes of these, which look somewhat easier to use?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HouYeen-Motorcycle-Absorber-Universal-45mm-55mm/dp/B097TDQ4LD#averageCustomerReviewsAnchor

though fork tube is 43...

[Joe Rocket]

It should work, I've cleaned the muck out of my AL5 fork seals AND sucessfully de-gummed the forks on my GPS which leaked.

Plastic thickness should be about that of 35mm roll camera film. As long as there's a rounded hook on the end of said home made Sealmate you push the 'point' in first (as you would) and follow by more of the tool but gently retract to see the point come back out but not completely, then push the point back in again and repeat. Do this moving slowly around the stanchion. You may see grit or oily gunge lifted out by the 'hook'. Leave overnight to allow the seal to reseat and check for leaks then. It the stanchion is scored or pitted then "game over man". Repeat again if you think it might be worth it.

Like most things we expect fairly instant or quick results. Be patient, it is worth the effort though for such a free solution. 

[Fritz]

we are talk 35mm film, not the canister 35mm film came in?  asking for a friend 

[purplebikeunicorn]

I used the smooth flat piece of a coke bottle (the centre bit the label sits over), made a nice rounded edge. Popped the dust seals off the forks and then just gently work the plastic round so the rounded edge catches any grit or crap that's ended up down into the seal.

My dust seals are shot, which is probably why so much crap gets into the actual seal!

[Fritz]

I'll re-try a bit of faffing. I'm guessing its a case of try, try, try, then aha...its 'in'. Its a fiddly business and I'm one that takes things easy so no fast solutions.

I'll look for a drinks bottle that's round and narrow and more suited to the tube shape and size. I suspect a bought item will not really me much better based on experience so far - all down to the action.

Having cleaned the sh*te out of the top of the slider with the dust seal slid up it seems better already anyway, no oily residue. Want it sorted for an MOT due date that's close to a travel date

Thanks 

[sillyboy]

I used a plastic milk bottle to make a cleaner as per what others are saying.

[Fritz]

Well - ordering a Seal Mate certainly did the trick.

half an hour after I order one and one of the tubular scraper type ones I thought 'I'll have one last go' and used a smaller plastic drink bottle.

After some more faffing and gentle persuasion I finally gained entry and tidied up both fork seals! The secret - for me anyway - was having a curved section of plastic and keeping it tight to the tube and edging it round and gently , but forcefully, with the edge of my thumb nail on edge of 'scraper'.

So, I now have two seal tools, as yet untried, but the homemade one finally did it after many attempts 

There are plenty of pics and vids out there, but here the bottle I used and the tool I made.

For me it was the twist and edge of thumbnail that convinced it to work.

Hope that helps anyone similarly frustrated.