Leaking 1098 forks

[BC999S]

Is there some sort of problem with the Showa forks on the '07 1098?

A buddy of mine has his both leaking - for the second time in 8,000 miles.

First time the seals were replaced and he cautioned the technician to make sure he didn't overfill them. Now, 3,000 miles later, they're leaking again.

No harsh wheelies or stoppies and the bike is kept immaculately clean. No dings in the lower fork tubes.

What gives?

[sideways]

I have only seen ONE 1098 Showa set come in leaking and the bike was tee'd into a curb hard enough to bend the rims.

[mrgrn]

Originally Posted by BC999S

Is there some sort of problem with the Showa forks on the '07 1098?

A buddy of mine has his both leaking - for the second time in 8,000 miles.

First time the seals were replaced and he cautioned the technician to make sure he didn't overfill them. Now, 3,000 miles later, they're leaking again.

No harsh wheelies or stoppies and the bike is kept immaculately clean. No dings in the lower fork tubes.

What gives?

cheap seals

dust can ruin them. i had two sets on my 51 from dust i think or even some road pebbles got niggled up in there i i never saw them

[Old Fart]

All bikes with the USD forks are subject to seal failures more so than conventional upright forks. It's just that the design allows abrasive crud to build up as gravity seeks the lowest point which is the seals. A buddy has gone through three sets on his Ape with Ohlins, My kid a couple sets on his 51, yet I'm lucky that they haven't croaked on mine with the Showas yet. Now that I've said that I'll go into the garage and probably see both discs coated in oil and a lovely puddle on the floor.

[BC999S]

Originally Posted by Old Fart

All bikes with the USD forks are subject to seal failures more so than conventional upright forks. It's just that the design allows abrasive crud to build up as gravity seeks the lowest point which is the seals. A buddy has gone through three sets on his Ape with Ohlins, My kid a couple sets on his 51, yet I'm lucky that they haven't croaked on mine with the Showas yet. Now that I've said that I'll go into the garage and probably see both discs coated in oil and a lovely puddle on the floor.

Yes, you're tempting fate there.

I haven't had a leaky fork seal since the late '80s and never on USD forks. Oops, I lied. My ZX-11 leaked one after 30,000 miles. Anyway, shit happens. My buddy will take the forks to a suspension specialist and see what happens from there.

Thanks for your input, gentlemen.

[CrimsonCloak]

I've seen a few sets of Ohlins need seals at lower mileages 3~5K, but I've only seen Showas need seals after 20-30K or a collision. But stuff does happen. Doesn't take much to nick a seal.

[viper1]

I bought a used set of Ohlins that had a slight leak in one of them....replaced it and fine ever since.