Cleaning fork chrome tube insects off

ST-Traveler

ST-Traveler

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I looked and did a search and cannot find any info on the subject.

Dirt and Insects on the fork tube can get crusty and damage the fork seal.

I used warm water to clean them off but is anyone doing anything different?

Should you use WD40 as a cleaner lubricant of not?


My fork tubes were just rebuilt so looking at them more frequently to ensure no crusty dirt gets in the new seals.
 
I just use water and a soft cloth. If the insects are really stuck on, I leave the wet cloth on the fork for a few minutes to 're-hydrate' them.

I don't think it is necessary to use anything else other than plain water and, if you wish, whatever detergent you use to wash the rest of the moto.

Michael
 
I’ve never had a problem with bugs blowing fork seals or slow leaks attibuted to bugs.
 
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I noticed a fork seal leaking just before I was taking off for a 4,500 mile trip last year. The guy who does my suspension work got me in the next day. He told me to clean my forks as often as possible to clean the bugs off of them. I have several bikes and only ride for pleasure. So each bike might sit for well months.
Clean those forks as often as you can.
 
TourNut said:
Just put these on this spring after new seals & fork oil :
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Are those fork boots the type that are split,,, and install in about 10 minutes ?? I put a set on my CB900c,, and they were pricey,, but do the job. I did add some black zip ties,, for security,, which you can't even notice,,, Cat'
 
Catmandu2 said:
Are those fork boots the type that are split,,, and install in about 10 minutes ?? I put a set on my CB900c,, and they were pricey,, but do the job. I did add some black zip ties,, for security,, which you can't even notice,,, Cat'
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I got a fork boot (well, it was used on a truck's driveshaft) from one of those off-road accessory houses that sell monster tires and wheels and all things to Jeep owners. (Ok, probably all off road 4 x 4's but you get the picture). It cost me $3 last year. IIRC, they had split boots and one piece boots, in several sizes.
 
I wipe my fork tubes down with WD40 after washing the bike. Then wax the upper portions that are out of the seal pathway. Keeps rust off the uppers, keeps the seal path clean.
 
Catmandu2 said:
Are those fork boots the type that are split,,, and install in about 10 minutes ?? I put a set on my CB900c,, and they were pricey,, but do the job. I did add some black zip ties,, for security,, which you can't even notice,,, Cat'
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Nope , not split . Were slid on before re-inserting tubes up into steering head clamps . I had to attach them at the bottom to fork brace with home-made flanges / 3 screws , since brace took ALL the mounting space on top of the aluminum lower fork 'case'. sealed against top of the "bug scraper" part of the "seals". Breather tubes go into a flexible bag located just above brake hoses , keeps out ambient moist air .
 
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Just washed my bike this morning and cleaned tubes with car wash soap. That's all I ever use. 18 years old almost 68K miles original seals.
 
I clean my forks every time I wash my bike. I also wash it every time I ride it. Never had a problem with fork seals leaking.
 
CYYJ said:
I just use water and a soft cloth. If the insects are really stuck on, I leave the wet cloth on the fork for a few minutes to 're-hydrate' them.

I don't think it is necessary to use anything else other than plain water and, if you wish, whatever detergent you use to wash the rest of the moto.

Michael
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Agree. Tried all kinds of tricks to clean bug splats, and finally realized that a water-soaked towel works better than anything. Water melts bugs.
Another tip - rub a finger of fork-oil on the forks, on the exposed area that goes into the seals, from time to time - to lubricate fork seals.
 
red one said:
Just washed my bike this morning and cleaned tubes with car wash soap. That's all I ever use. 18 years old almost 68K miles original seals.
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My seals lasted about 132,000 miles, original. I never even considered servicing them- then after the leak realized they were wayyyyy over due for fork fluid replacement. I cleaned and put new seals and fluid in and I can tell a difference in the steering. The bike tracks straighter down the road.
 
dduelin said:
I've never had a problem with bugs blowing fork seals.
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Dave, I don't think it will blow a fork seal but only cause a slow leak that progressively gets worse over time, I got this from researching the web and found "seal saver" which is designed to get all the crud out of the seals and prolong there life a little.
 
I've encountered weeping seals from bugs many many years ago. I then learned to clean the tubes after every ride, and I used polish on the cleaned tubes so the seals slide easy. I didn't have any weeping seals after that.
 
ST-Traveler said:
Dave, I don't think it will blow a fork seal but only cause a slow leak that progressively gets worse over time, I got this from researching the web and found "seal saver" which is designed to get all the crud out of the seals and prolong there life a little.
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I'll edit the post to say "I've never had a problem with slow leaks attibuted to bugs."

I keep them clean, usually washing the bike weekly, and keeping a coat of polish on the upper part of the fork tubes. If the bike just sits most of the time it's at a greater risk of corrosion.
 
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