The Cornish Pixie Needs Help!

I suppose in theory you could do it like that but it would be messy and awkward. Not sure if you could get enough height on the front end to be able to remove the fork leg. Easier just to take the fork out.

 

I’ve had mixed results with fork seal scrapers. Worth a shot .
https://www.dirtbikexpress.co.uk/wo...MI07v5mZ2b-AIVeY9oCR1pNQSmEAQYASABEgJlA_D_BwE

 

I have seen a scraper, if that’s what you call them made from a piece cut out of a milk bottle and slid under the seals and then rotated around the fork stanchion. It may be just a piece of debris trapped in there. Worth a try before getting the spanner’s out.

Have a look at this video.

 

Please let us know how you get on.

 

Hi Julian, personally I would remove the forks and replace the seals, this allows you to thoroughly clean the inside tubes, springs etc, then use new correct spec oil, your forks will perform like new, it's just not worth attempting any shortcuts, the forks take a lot of punishment, even on a single ride out, imagine how many times they compress by road undulations and braking, the last thing you need is fork oil leaking (or misting) onto tyres and brakes, shortcuts are a recipe for disaster.

 

Shortcuts were invented by Tradesmen !! The manual isn't always %100% , I did jobs in the Army , Tank Engine Swap Outs , manual stated one man 12+ hrs , two 8+ hrs. In the field no fixed lighting! 6+ hrs four tradies in shifts!!
I've done similar short cutting on fork seals , on all my bike's. Did a hundred thousand miles on a '94' Trident, still had original fork seals and dust boot's. Reason, regularly cleaned with thin rags pushed in between seal and stantion/leg and walked around with a scribe or small flat tip , all very carefully Of course!!!
Difference between a tradesmen and an amateur , how well you use A tool !?

 

I have lost count of the number of Court reports I have written as a result of "shortcuts", not only mechanical, a number of people did manage free accommodation and meals at her Majesties pleasure though, thankfully a lot don't lead to tragic consequences. At the end of the day it's an individual choice on what we do, personally for me shortcuts regarding safety is not worth the risk, there are an awful lot of very talented people on the forum, their work is second to none, a lot are very innovative and I marvel at what they achieve, I may be wrong but I doubt many would place their safety (and other's) at risk by way of shortcuts regarding safety. In the UK the BBC televised a programme titled the Speedshop, ex Special Boat Service veteran, Titch Cormack along with a small group of ex forces guys, creates unique builds, he recounts the feelgood stories, and has had adventures we all would love to experience. During all his projects I watched I never saw any shortcuts on safety, he is self taught, with an exceptionally "can do attitude", I totally agree there are ways around what a "workshop manual" may prescribe for completing tasks, that's not an issue at all, it is the safety shortcuts that should be avoided. Below is a link to the "Speedshop" article. Ride safe all from an ageing Rocker.
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2020/january/speedshop-tv-show/

 

On any machinery - vehicle or other - there's a safe right way to repair and a wrong bodge way. This is my opinion and may not reflect the opinions of the many..

 

I think we are looking at two different issues here. The symptoms are that “it has the slightest weep on one of the seals”.

This could be either the seal is damaged and needs replacing or there is some entrapped debris that is not letting the seal seat and therefore work properly.

With emphasis on the word “slightest” is it not logical to approach the problem in a systematic way by ensuring that there is no trapped debri preventing the seals doing their job before going into Jonesey mode and stripping the forks to replace the seals which may or may not be requiring replacement?