K11 Owners Group

blue95lt · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:06 pm Post subject: fork seals??

Hi KOG bunch,
Any one that has rode "k" bikes a long time,can you tell me about how long our front fork seals can be expected to last?
I have a 95 k11lt w/50 thousand appx. on it and my fork are leaking again!
It has been about 2 yrs. since I had them replaced.
Down low on the forks,I don't see any roughness but on up from the seal,close to the lower clamp is what appears to be" bubbles "under the chrome cause when you touch them, they"move around"slightly?
Could I be so lucky as to have a warranty issue cause when the fork was made,they didn't clean the metal properly before chrome was applied?
(I know,I was just dreaming )a warranty issue on a 95 model bike.
Anyone have forks that are perfect match and have no blemeshes and just want to git rid of?
Thanks guys any and all ideas and help greatly appreciated.
blue95lt=Keith

Off the grid · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject:

2 words:

Fork boots.

They are a must for the motobrick.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

dave n · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 2:50 pm Post subject:

One thing you can do until boots go on is keep the fork tubes clean - wipe down after every ride.
_________________
Dave Norris KOG 248
1999 Cagiva Gran Canyon
1993 K1100LT w/Hannigan sidecar
2008 Suzuki DR650

TMCKRS4V · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 8:27 pm Post subject: Fork seals...

My Marzoochi Tubes had some scratches. Local dealer replaced the seals 2X then wanted to sell me a new set of tubes.

Took the bike to Ted Porter in Santa Cruz. he pulled the tubes, put them on a lathe and wet sanded them with a fine grit paper. We added set of Gaiters off a GS and has been leak free for 30K. I had never heard of this issue on the Hondas I rode for 100K +. BTW...you can use inexpensive gaitor from Rancho 4x4 shocks. (and have a selection of pretty colors too yipppie!)

See pic twords bottom of page.
http://www.beemershop.com/galleryShopTalk1.php

Good luck
Tom
_________________
Tom Connolly

91 K100RS4V

Novato, CA

MOA / BMW NorCal / AMA

rydor · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject:

You might consider these if you agree that gaitors are ugly as hell...
http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4654

Saltcreek · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:08 am Post subject:

I don't have fork boots yet. Recommendations for good ones?
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

Off the grid · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:13 pm Post subject:

See above...Rancho makes some car shock boots that fit our Ks, they are like 10 bucks each.

The BMW stock ones are more than double that.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Saltcreek · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:14 pm Post subject:

Off the grid · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject:

I think Drake said the Traxion guards fit with some cutting of the underfairing underneath the headlight...not a big deal really because it's a non-essential piece that you cannot see anyway.

Before I got my fork boots I used velcro boots that were made of the wetsuit material...search you can find them online. They look like ass but better than nothing I guess. I used them until I needed seals again, then I got the boots.

/shrug

Find something that works and put on boots when you do your seals.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:57 pm Post subject:

When I bought my Rancho boots online for my '97 I purchased 2 sets.

I cut one set the full length to fit over the fork, then I used a leather punch for holes every so often down the length of it. Then used some small 3" zip ties to "stitch" it up the back side.

The 2nd set was to wait for the fork seal job and then go on as a whole piece, but instead they will go on the '96 as I have it apart for fork seals now.
_________________
Ride safe.

1997 K1100LT 0302488
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1995 K1100LT 0302044(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:00 pm Post subject:

Rancho part number 1952 - will fit all 4 and 2 valve Ks.

I used a paper hole punch to put a hole at the very bottom of the back.

I haven't put them on the LT yet (waiting for the forks to start leaking). The ones onthe RS are workign great.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject:

Leakin' fork seals- KRAP

Just another "brick" in the wall (no pun intended)

UJM................

Phil Marvin · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:03 pm Post subject:

Hi, Keith (blue95lt),
I don't know how long the seals last. My experience is a sample of 1. I bought my first LT in 1997 with 14299 miles on the odo. In Dec. 1999, I rode to my mother's in Central Florida. Both fork seals begal leaking there. When I got home to El Paso, I replaced the seals and added gaiters (I used /6 gaiters at about $20 each - then; Rancho gaiters at half or less that price work well, too). Mileage was probably around 50k. I sold the bike in 2006 with 124k on it. The seals were fine - no leaks - as were the gaiters.
Ride Safe,
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP