‘56 FH fork oil quantity

[Martin K]

So I’ve replaced the fork seals for brand new ones. Fork legs all good condition, within spec.

Put 213ml of sae 30 fork oil in each leg.

Now dribbling down each fork leg from above the seal (coming out of the threads of the chrome aground above the painted lower fork leg.

I really can’t bring myself to dismantle the front end again.

Have I overfilled them and a reduction will sort the problem, or have I got two leaking seals and it’s squirting up through them and them trickling out as described.

I’m dreading the answer…..

Martin

[Mick D]

Hi Martin

I had the same issue, it is oil 'wicking' up the threads of the slider extensions. I later discovered that the factory used to seal these with thread, (string), backed off the extensions, wrapped several turns of thread soaked in Wellseal around the extension and re-tightened. No more leak

Wrap the thread in the direction of the extension tightening

Regards Mick

[Martin K]

Genius.

Thanks Mick. Usual amazing font of knowledge.

[Simon.Gardiner]

I seem to have been using PTFE tape (like wot I use on pipe threads) for a decade or more now....

SG

[Martin K]

Also a good ‘un. The modern version. If the cotton and well seal fail (operator error!) I’ll go with the plumbing version!

[Martin K]

Actually chaps - quick check please. Does the well seal/PTFE go on the threads from the chrome seal onto the fork leg, or from the chrome seal onto the chrome extension - or both?

Ta.

[JohnnyBeckett]

hi i like using well seal or boss white and horsehair i find it is better than ptfe tape and i get no leaking

[Mick D]

Hi

I backed off the slider extensions about 3/16" then wound soaked thread around the exposed threads and nipped them up with a strap wrench. Like you, I didn't want to remove the forks from the steering head and this method worked for me. I don't think the plumber's tape method would work particularly well in these circumstances.

The joint you need to seal is the thread that engages the fork slider / slider extension.

Regards Mick

[Martin K]

Hi Mick

Delighted to report two oil-tight fork legs.

Thread and wellseal. Brilliant. It made the seal pretty tough to screw all the way down though, but got there in the end!

Cheers (till the next question appears!)

Martin

[Mick D]

Well done!

You can't be far off that first start and soon to follow, ride

Regards Mick