fork seal leak

[adamceckhardt]

Hello All,

I'm new to the 650 world, as I own a 1200GS. My girlfriend just bought a 650 GS (new 2007) and is in the process of learning how to ride. It was put away for winter recently, and when I went to knock the dust off it, I noticed that one of the fork seals has a massive leak. By "massive" I mean oooozing out, down the fork, onto the rim and tire, and a small puddle on the floor.

With 100 miles on the bike, and exclusive on-road use, I found it odd. Is this covered under warranty? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

[Polarbear]

Its warantee all the way for this! No issue here for BMW to fix at their expense:). 2007 model should have three years, into 2010 sometime before the warantee expires. Maybe more if she bought the extended plan. Used or new purchases of bikes inside the warantee period does not matter, as its still in effect with any owner until the initial buyer, 3 year period expires. New seals are a bit rare for leaking so badly, but you have one and it needs attention. They are quite easy to change yourself if a dealer is far away. Randy 13233:usa

[Kutcher]

http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/ForksMaintFAQ.htm#Fork%20Problems

[adamceckhardt]

thanks, to both of you, for the advice!

back to the dealer it will go. The 6 hour round trip will be a good excuse to test out her bike. (probably will be spring now that the snow is flying)

[MplsK100RT]

thanks, to both of you, for the advice!

back to the dealer it will go. The 6 hour round trip will be a good excuse to test out her bike. (probably will be spring now that the snow is flying)


BTW...even though the leak is significant the problem is likely more than just a bad seal. The forks are probably damaged and considering you have been doing street only it isn't likely from heavy dirt make sure the dealer examines them for abrasions/gauges and that they are replaced/refurbed if bad. Also if you don't already get some covers for the forks to keep the dirt out of them.

[darencs]

When my F650GS was about a month old, a big juicy bug killed itself on one of the fork tubes. It dried into a hard crusty mess during the day long ride and when I got on the brakes hard the resulting dive forward drove the dead bug down into the fork seal, destroying it's ability to do it's job.

The dealer replaced the seal under warranty without question.

I've had a set of the neoprene fork protectors on there ever since.

Did you happen to clean a dried bug off the fork tube last time you washed the bike?

[adamceckhardt]

washed the bike?

Washed? Whats that? Its the girlfriend's bike! I gave it an initial coat of high-test wax, the rest is up to here!

Now that i'm done being a wiseass- No, I didn't scrape off any hardened critters- but thats pretty interesting. I never thought of that. Its snowing as I type this. Dealer 200 miles away. No trailer. Sounds like a springtime activity now!
Adam