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Fixed Fork Leak, top of fluid?

paroxysm

paroxysm

576cc PieGP world champ.
Joined
Jul 18, 2005
Location
ROUND
Moto(s)
SM610, ZX6R, CR250, EX250
I had a bit of dirt causing a leak on my DRZ. I got the dirt out and took it for a test ride - no leaks and brakes seem fine. My question is, I rode it a total of 25 miles before fixing it, and it leaked each time - enough to puddle on the fork leg. Should I top off the fluid? I can't imagine it being more than a few cc but I don't want to overfill. Is there a way I can check oil level without pulling the forks off? BTW, I took it on a ride around the block and everything felt Ok. I wasn't compressing more than usual and it held its line just fine.

Thanks in advance!
And thanks for all the good tips on clearing up fork leaks!
 
Unless that fluid's really new, AND you have a 'height from top of fork' level, I'd drain and replace. Or nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.
 
The loss of a small amount of oil won't be a problem for normal riding. The only difference would be a slightly larger air gap which only really comes into play at close to fully compressed. If you've got a stack of miles on the DRZ changing the fork oil would improve the ride and help the life of the seals. A lot of seals leak just because they're being asked to hold back fork oil thats well past it's best. :thumbup
 
UKtech1 said:
The loss of a small amount of oil won't be a problem for normal riding. The only difference would be a slightly larger air gap which only really comes into play at close to fully compressed. If you've got a stack of miles on the DRZ changing the fork oil would improve the ride and help the life of the seals. A lot of seals leak just because they're being asked to hold back fork oil thats well past it's best. :thumbup
Click to expand...

Ok, great, thanks Rob.

Really not much got out. I was careful about not leaking to much when I was cleaning, so I'm just gonna ride it until I get a day to pull the forks.
 
You might only have seen a bit of leaking oil on the forks, but more oil might have already leaked out and gone into the wind or on the ground. I'd just replace the fork oil. If there's a drain at the bottom, you can do it with the forks on the bike. Otherwise, you'll need to pull them. (Sucking the fluid out isn't really a good technique and it's hard turning the whole bike upside down.)
 
Do Not Fill To The Top!

Like engine oil you DO NOT fill to the top.

Check the service manual. There is a proper fork oil level when adding oil.
 
And a proper technique when measuring it.
 
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