revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Posted: **Tue Oct 06, 2020 11:52 am**

Has anyone used one of these things? https://sealmate.net/

The idea is that you poke 'em down the forkleg, and run them around inside the seal, thus removing particles of dirt that have got into the seal which are causing it to leak.

I've got a fork seal that's just leaving the merest smear of oil on the fork leg (it's barely detectable) and wondering whether it's worth trying.

Normally, I'd just stick new seals in but thanks to COVID cutting my training season in half, my income is going to be about half my outgoings this year so if I can save the fork strip and rebuild to next year, that would be a good thing for the bank balance.

Posted: **Tue Oct 06, 2020 12:41 pm**

Not tried a Sealbuddy but i had oil rings on my BMW XR [ quite a common problem on these] and used
some Silicon spray to clean around the seals . Worked fine.
I think there are some video's online were you make your own sealbuddy from a plastic bottle .

Looks a bit rough but

Posted: **Tue Oct 06, 2020 12:52 pm**

Old wives trick to use a feeler gauge to clean the seals.

Posted: **Tue Oct 06, 2020 2:01 pm**

I have one....somewhere,but haven't had occasion to test it.

So that's +1 on the post count and no help at all.

Posted: **Wed Oct 07, 2020 1:13 pm**

Spooky, I’ve just bought one off eBay for the same reason. Bike failed it’s MOT yesterday so thought I would try this first.
I will update in a day or two when I’ve tried it.
I do recall doing something with some film many years ago and pulled lots of crap out which solved th leak so it might work.
Mick

Posted: **Wed Oct 07, 2020 2:31 pm**

The Spin Doctor wrote: Tue Oct 06, 2020 11:52 am Has anyone used one of these things? https://sealmate.net/

The idea is that you poke 'em down the forkleg, and run them around inside the seal, thus removing particles of dirt that have got into the seal which are causing it to leak.

I've got a fork seal that's just leaving the merest smear of oil on the fork leg (it's barely detectable) and wondering whether it's worth trying.

Normally, I'd just stick new seals in but thanks to COVID cutting my training season in half, my income is going to be about half my outgoings this year so if I can save the fork strip and rebuild to next year, that would be a good thing for the bank balance.

Yes, I got one free with some fork seals, it did the best part of fuck all.

Posted: **Wed Oct 07, 2020 5:02 pm**

Yep, I've got one and leave it permanently in my off-roading jacket.
I've used it a good few times over the years and worked well (as does a cable tie, but you typically lose a good bit more oil with that method).
Obviously, if your seal is damaged this won't really help, but a fair bit of the time, the seal is fine, and its just a bit of shite in there, on the off-roader at least

Posted: **Thu Oct 08, 2020 6:09 pm**

Thanks one and all.

I'll have a look at making my own from an old milk bottle carton.

The fork sliders are perfect, so it could be a worn seal but in my experience they usually go from working fine to p!ssing oil down the fork leg, and this is just a fine smear. So I'm wondering about some crap. The forks will get a strip but thanks to a lack of training income this year, that's going to have to wait till next year.

Posted: **Fri Oct 09, 2020 3:12 pm**

Got it!!!
With a lot of effort due to the fairing I managed to use it, dug out lots of crap from the oil seal. Need to do a few miles now to see if it’s fixed it.
Easy to use, notwithstanding the fairing in the way, seems to work well, not yet sure about fixing the issue though. Worthwhile purchase I think for not many pennies.
Cheers
Mick

Posted: **Fri Oct 09, 2020 3:41 pm**

The Spin Doctor wrote: Thu Oct 08, 2020 6:09 pm Thanks one and all.

I'll have a look at making my own from an old milk bottle carton.

The real thing is quite a bit thinner/softer than a milk carton,so the homemade jobbie may do damage,rather than help. The Sealmate only costs a few quid anyway.

Posted: **Fri Oct 09, 2020 3:58 pm**

Bought one and used it on my Ducati 900SS that was leaking badly. It doesn't now.

Told my brother about it, and he borrowed it to attack the misting seals of his VFR and FJ. Both now mist free.

I remember the VD Supermoto trip down to the Ardeche where Pogie stopped the fork seals misting by using a strip of camera film*.

*Kids-ask your dad what this is.

Posted: **Fri Oct 09, 2020 6:15 pm**

OK, moths evicted from wallet, I've bought a real one.

I'll report back

Thanks.

Posted: **Sat Oct 10, 2020 3:58 pm**

I used to cut a strip of 35mm film to clean out the seals on enduro bikes.

Posted: **Sat Oct 10, 2020 5:00 pm**

derek badger wrote: Sat Oct 10, 2020 3:58 pm I used to cut a strip of 35mm film to clean out the seals on enduro bikes.

Olde Pharte.

Posted: **Mon Oct 12, 2020 7:43 am**

Cut a milk bottle to make my own a couple of months ago. Works a treat and sorted out the misting fork seal, passed MOT straight off as well. Cost me nothing other than cutting time! And it did take out visible dirt from the seal, the stantions were fine, just dirty seal.

Posted: **Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:52 pm**

Got one for the trail bike.

Use it from time to clean out the seals. Use a small pot of fork oil, dip it in it and give it a couple of turns, cleans and lubricates the seals.

Posted: **Mon Oct 12, 2020 8:06 pm**

derek badger wrote: Sat Oct 10, 2020 3:58 pm I used to cut a strip of 35mm film to clean out the seals on enduro bikes.

^^ this, especially the bit which is the leader, the emulsion tends to collect crap, but the main effect seems to be straightening out the fine edge on a seal. Newer seal designs seam more robust, so might be less of an effect tho.

Posted: **Tue Oct 13, 2020 6:43 pm**

Thin strip of plastic with hook has now arrived... will tackle fork seal when it stops raining!

Posted: **Tue Oct 13, 2020 8:21 pm**

The Spin Doctor wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2020 6:43 pm Thin strip of plastic with hook has now arrived... will tackle fork seal when it stops raining!

Maybe a day towards the end of May,then?

Posted: **Sun Oct 18, 2020 9:19 am**

The Spin Doctor wrote: Tue Oct 06, 2020 11:52 am Has anyone used one of these things? https://sealmate.net/

The idea is that you poke 'em down the forkleg, and run them around inside the seal, thus removing particles of dirt that have got into the seal which are causing it to leak.

I've got a fork seal that's just leaving the merest smear of oil on the fork leg (it's barely detectable) and wondering whether it's worth trying.

Normally, I'd just stick new seals in but thanks to COVID cutting my training season in half, my income is going to be about half my outgoings this year so if I can save the fork strip and rebuild to next year, that would be a good thing for the bank balance.

If it can pull dirt out, I can only imagine it will push far more in, which will then be trapped between the seal and the upper bush.

Quick fix but I'd be rebuilding them ASAP.

Will you rebuilld them yourself?

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