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Fork seal blowout?

  • Mitchleeey
    Mitchleeey
    4 years ago
    G’day all!
    Breakout is 3 months old from new. Just after some insight as to what’s normal and what’s not....

    Oil on the forks and to me it seems like a shit load of travel... pretty spongy. Let me know what you think.

    Any way I can upload a video clip?

    Cheers!


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  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    4 years ago
    Still should be under warranty. Is the oil really pissing out?. Like dripping down the sliders/lower legs. Have seen steering head grease sort of liquifying and running down the left hand fork tube that can give the impression you have a leaky seal when you don’t.
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    Highly unlikely its a fork seal.
    I would clean it thoroughly and check it  after a ride.
    Check the top caps are nipped up.
  • Humbug
    Humbug
    4 years ago
    Last time I did a fork seal the oil was all over my leg, did not even know as I rode home in the dark(big party) I knew all about it when I woke up and saw my pants.
  • Mitchleeey
    Mitchleeey
    4 years ago
    Thanks for the replies, much appreciated! 
    So you blokes reckon take it in anyway and get HD to fix It? Should get the warranty treatment I assume. 
  • steelo
    steelo
    4 years ago
    Looks like the fork seals M. Be careful when riding you don't punch that fender up against the triple tree braking.
  • Mitchleeey
    Mitchleeey
    4 years ago
    Quoting steelo on 15 Aug 2020 11:31 AM

    Looks like the fork seals M. Be careful when riding you don't punch that fender up against the triple tree braking.

    Harley assist to the dealer you reckon mate?
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    4 years ago
    Looks like seal, had the same thing before.
  • steelo
    steelo
    4 years ago
    Hi M. If you have it yes. I imagine that by looking at the level of compression under stationary braking you are getting it would be dangerous. Also adds an air of gravitas to the situation and you don't have to hang around at the dealer. I just did some looking online and it doesn't appear that Harley front shocks (I didn't know either) are very robust. You might be able to negotiate on some good cartridge shocks. Sure it was a company advert
  • Mitchleeey
    Mitchleeey
    4 years ago
    Quoting steelo on 15 Aug 2020 11:53 AMedited: 15 Aug 2020 12:01 PM

    Hi M. If you have it yes. I imagine that by looking at the level of compression under stationary braking you are getting it would be dangerous. Also adds an air of gravitas to the situation and you don't have to hang around at the dealer. I just did some looking online and it doesn't appear that Harley front shocks (I didn't know either) are very robust. You might be able to negotiate on some good cartridge shocks. Sure it was a company advert

    Thanks Steelo - I think it’s best to just H-Assist it to the dealer. 
    I’ve had a good look also, can’t find too many cases of similar sorts. 
  • Humbug
    Humbug
    4 years ago
    Use Harley assist I did,piss easy.
  • Jay-Dee
    Jay-Dee
    4 years ago
    To me that looks like just some dust build up combined with either a bit of assembly grease or fine oil from the seal. If it has done a fork seal oil will be running down the fork leg.
    The travel looks pretty long but Breakouts aren't known for their great front forks.
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    4 years ago
    Agree with JD.
    Give it a  good clean  all over and monitor the situation.  If the fork seal was leaking you would see it dripping onto the floor. 
    I don't remember how much oil is in each leg but I think its at least a  couple of hundred mls.
    I would have no concerns about riding the bike whatsoever. 

  • bloodog
    bloodog
    4 years ago
    Quoting beaglebasher on 16 Aug 2020 02:25 AM

    Agree with JD.

    Give it a  good clean  all over and monitor the situation.  If the fork seal was leaking you would see it dripping onto the floor. 
    I don't remember how much oil is in each leg but I think its at least a  couple of hundred mls.
    I would have no concerns about riding the bike whatsoever. 

    Totally agree with BB
  • Birtyyy
    Birtyyy
    4 years ago
    I had a fork seal blow out on my Street Bob, only 18 months old, still within warranty but they told me fork seals weren't covered. Bought new seals and installed them myself, not a big job.
    Oh and mine properly blew out, fork oil covered one whole side of the bike/engine.
  • Vic
    Vic
    4 years ago

    Wipe them down first give them a few pumps wipe again , repeat.

    Ride it for a bit to see if it persists.

    If it does follow the vid that magnum posted, 9 times out of 10 it will fix the problem because you have a bit of grit in there not a blown seal.

    Don't know if Harley cover seals under warranty but can say a lot of other manufacturers don't.


  • robnicko
    robnicko
    4 years ago
    lift up those chrome covers on the top of the lowers, you should be able to twist them & slide up to reveal the dust caps & seals & it should then be pretty obvious if the seals are leaking as there will be oil on top

    as the bikes very new, could also be assembly grease used on the seal slowly working its way out too
     
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