Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted April 29, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted April 29, 2012 Trying to solve this ugliness/leak. Background: 2000 VFR. Bought on consignment from dealer Feb 2012 after sitting since 2006. Dealer changed brake fluid, oil, coolant (not fork oil if relevant). Saw drips on ground and liquid on brake lines back in mid-March. Late March twice saw 'overspray' on right lower fairing (as above). On closer inspection today, right side from caliper, engine top, etc. seemed wet, but not sure what the fluid is - oil, fork fluid, brake fluid ??? or where it's coming from (See photos below). Everything seems dry on the left side which I didn't photograph. Caliper shots Engine case Reservoir and drips. Don't remember seeing any 'bubble' in reservoir before today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Clean brake fluid doesn't leave a black spot on the pavement, & you will notice the fluid level change upon a visual check. Same goes for Coolant. So it's going to be Motor oil, or Shock oil. So check the oil cooler, Lines, & connections, Then check the fork seals. I am leaning towards Fork seals myself. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V4 Rosso Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 If it was brake fluid i would expect to see some damage to the paint. Looking at the tiny particles trapped in the fluid I'd say fork oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted April 29, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 29, 2012 Looked at the shop manual and tried to take a pic of the right fork seal. This looks like the problem. Left side is bone dry rubber, this one is still wet and looks like it's torn near the top part of the picture. There's gunk there, so not sure it's a tear. Assuming this is it, what am I looking at in terms of parts cost of a repair? what about labor time for someone who know's what they're doing and has the right tools? Is this grounds/time for a front suspension upgrade? Is it safe to ride to my preferred mechanic (a 4th gen owner 40 miles away) or should I go to someone 5 miles away who's good, but not a VFR specialist? Thanks for the quick help. This place is awesome!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Yep! it's a bad seal. If the guy that is 5 miles away knows what he is doing take it there! Fork maintianance isn't Brand specific. As for cost? That is something you have to ask / Negotiate with who ever you want to do the work. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spud786 Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 What your looking at is the dust seal, and not the oil seal. The oil seal is underneath the dust seal in your picture. Labor is around $200 dollars plus parts for both legs. Probably original seals, 11 years is pretty good though. Mine are 6 years old and Im surprised they've lasted that long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I would suggest upgrading while it's being serviced, at least get the correct ftr springs, and if money is available get the valves done as well. ($75/100 for a set of springs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted April 30, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 30, 2012 What your looking at is the dust seal, and not the oil seal. The oil seal is underneath the dust seal in your picture. Labor is around $200 dollars plus parts for both legs. Probably original seals, 11 years is pretty good though. Mine are 6 years old and Im surprised they've lasted that long. Not that this is expensive for motorcycle maintenance, but I am now officially in second job territory. Still willing to make minor enhancements given I'm in for the labor anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted April 30, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 30, 2012 . . . get the correct ftr springs, . . . 'ftr' or 'vtr' ? Is this a 'bolt on' replacement for the 5th gen? Where to look for more information? Searching VTR suspension or springs brings up too much and vtr brings up nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Your brake pads are probably toast. Once they are soaked in oil, they are finished. Replace as a set and hose the brakes down with hot soapy water, scrub, rinse, and shoot some brake clean on everything before installing the new pads. If your dust seal above the oil seal is torn, you should replace those also. When you have the forks off, carefully check the chrome tubes for pitting or other raised nicks that could cause a seal failure. If there is anything that you can feel or see, sand them down with some super fine emery cloth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Rice Posted April 30, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted April 30, 2012 . . . get the correct ftr springs, . . . 'ftr' or 'vtr' ? Is this a 'bolt on' replacement for the 5th gen? Where to look for more information? Searching VTR suspension or springs brings up too much and vtr brings up nothing. FRT is what was meant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Mac Posted April 30, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted April 30, 2012 $ Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted April 30, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 30, 2012 The more work this suggests, the more I want to take it to the VFR guy 40 miles away. Is it a safety issue? Add your own disclaimers to your answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 . . . get the correct ftr springs, . . . 'ftr' or 'vtr' ? Is this a 'bolt on' replacement for the 5th gen? Where to look for more information? Searching VTR suspension or springs brings up too much and vtr brings up nothing. FRT is what was meant. Thx Mr. Rice "FRONT" it is............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 It only get as exspensive as you allow it to be! Stock rebuild = Lowest cost. Mild Mod = It might hurt but not as bad as anything else. $$ Suspension swap = $$$$$$$$$$$$$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer realistdreamer Posted May 6, 2012 Author Member Contributer Share Posted May 6, 2012 Well, I paid for the shop to replace the seals on both sides and due to the fork oil spray everywhere, replaced the pads with ebc hh's. We adjusted the preload on the forks and it seems fine, much better than since I've bought the bike. Now I can tell more, I need to do something with the rear. Adjusted the damping, but could get the preload clicker to move. The suspension specialist where I went said come back to set the sag, so I'll let him help me. I know it's set at position 3 and I at least want to try 4 or 5. Clean the bike up and she's beautiful, but someone decided to use heaping portions of grease on the sidestand and with years of dirt, rocks, etc. caked up there, it makes a mess of everything that touches it (gloves, cover, tools). Used everything from PJ1 Supercleaner to Goo Gone and each effort only makes a dent in the next layer. I'll probably need to take the thing apart or spend an afternoon get that think really clean. I'd rather ride at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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