Dave Lunden
New Member
I think it is time for a serious fork seal failure analysis. I purchased an S10 specifically for a trip to Alaska this past July. It performed beyond all expectations, except...
At about 4200 miles, a film of oil was showing on the lower fork legs. At 4500 miles, there was a drop of oil on the bottom of the fork legs and dripping on the pavement at stops. At 5000 miles the forks were both dripping enough oil to significantly hinder the stopping ability of the front brakes, and splashing back on the bike. The problem was reported to my Yamaha dealer back in New York, who tried to find new seals at a dealer in Alaska, but the parts were not available without a couple days wait. I added fork oil every day to get back to the States, and finally found a dealer with parts to do a warranty repair, including new front brake pads.
While in Alaska, I met another S10 rider in Fairbanks who also had leaking fork seals. Searching this forum, there are many other owners reporting fork seal failure, but there has yet been an analysis of the cause of the problem. Is the seal to blame for not cleaning the leg and allowing dirt to build up inside? Is the wiper not stopping dirt before the seal? Have there been any changes to either the wiper or seal to improve either part over the years? With the number of seal failures reported (and repaired under warranty) on this forum, I would think Yamaha is aware of a problem.
I did not ride the S10 anywhere off-road, so that is not to blame for the seal problem. After owning KTM's for the past 40 years, I haven't had any fork seal failures on the upside-down White Power forks.
I have not tried the x-ray film trick of cleaning dirt out from under the lip the seals, but WHY should this be necessary? I now have a set of the neoprene fork wraps to try and make the seals last for more than 5000 miles.
Let's hear from other S10 owners about their fork seal experiences, and welcome any thoughts as to the seal improvements and solutions. Maybe our group can find a solution. Maybe its already been solved on new models with a new part. Thanks!
At about 4200 miles, a film of oil was showing on the lower fork legs. At 4500 miles, there was a drop of oil on the bottom of the fork legs and dripping on the pavement at stops. At 5000 miles the forks were both dripping enough oil to significantly hinder the stopping ability of the front brakes, and splashing back on the bike. The problem was reported to my Yamaha dealer back in New York, who tried to find new seals at a dealer in Alaska, but the parts were not available without a couple days wait. I added fork oil every day to get back to the States, and finally found a dealer with parts to do a warranty repair, including new front brake pads.
While in Alaska, I met another S10 rider in Fairbanks who also had leaking fork seals. Searching this forum, there are many other owners reporting fork seal failure, but there has yet been an analysis of the cause of the problem. Is the seal to blame for not cleaning the leg and allowing dirt to build up inside? Is the wiper not stopping dirt before the seal? Have there been any changes to either the wiper or seal to improve either part over the years? With the number of seal failures reported (and repaired under warranty) on this forum, I would think Yamaha is aware of a problem.
I did not ride the S10 anywhere off-road, so that is not to blame for the seal problem. After owning KTM's for the past 40 years, I haven't had any fork seal failures on the upside-down White Power forks.
I have not tried the x-ray film trick of cleaning dirt out from under the lip the seals, but WHY should this be necessary? I now have a set of the neoprene fork wraps to try and make the seals last for more than 5000 miles.
Let's hear from other S10 owners about their fork seal experiences, and welcome any thoughts as to the seal improvements and solutions. Maybe our group can find a solution. Maybe its already been solved on new models with a new part. Thanks!