[Tink]

Had the 790 for a couple of weeks now, but only done 350 miles so far (too many bikes).
After every run I've noticed a slight oil ring mark on the fork stanchions both sides. I wiped it away each time, but it's back after the next run.

Anyone else had any fork oil seal issues?

 

[owl]

Not noticed anything, but will keep an eye on them now. I’d get it back to the dealer.

 

[anotheronetoday]

I also have a very slight mark on my stanchions but i thought it was just dust and dirt

 

[J D]

So, 6 months later, how’d this work out for you fellas wt the weeping fork seals?

 

[Stephano]

I had a bit of oil on one of my fork tubes - the dealer actually caught it - when asked about it he said its a "wear item" not covered by KTM and pulled out a bulletin to prove it - Don't know about the rest of the world but in the US the KTM warranty covers almost nothing - or, its up to the dealer - just for kicks and giggles read what the warranty covers - you'll be surprised - Fortunatley I've owned a number of KTM's and have never had a warranty claim -

 

[Tink]

I mentioned it to the dealer at 600 miles, but was told it was normal, and would improve with miles. Still got the same marks now at 1000 miles, so next time I'm there, I mention it again.

 

[KiwiDuke]

Had a similar thing initially. 5000km and no sign of oil leaking now.

 

[weaksy]

Had a similar thing initially. 5000km and no sign of oil leaking now.

Is that because there's no oil in them

 

[KiwiDuke]

Well I hope not....
They still seem to work ok but I will see if I can make them seep again just to make sure.

 

[Jefsta]

Fork seals leaking?

Hey folks just done 1000kms on my 790 Duke and have noticed a oil ring mark on the bottom of both forks. Tried wiping but it always comes back.

The dealer suggested it was some excess assembly grease.

Anyone else had experience with leaking forks?

 

[YoungLion]

Same here - noticed after roughly 1500km's, reported it to the dealer - said it was too minor to worry about, then when the countershaft sprocket seal replaced under warranty at 5000km's I asked again as it was a little worse and got a No again.

My friend/KTM mechanic told me that about 5 years ago KTM/WP switched to using the Red seals and they are a nightmare compared to the black ones they used up until then.

I store my bike for the winter so I'm just going to leave it now and replace them in Spring.

 

[J D]

Hopefully KTM see's this as a potential issue & takes care of it.

 

[GothTownDuke]

You can fix a leaking fork seal for about 1 dollar and 5 minutes of your time.
Youtube SealMate then you either buy a SealMate or you make your own and clean your own fork seals.

My right one leaked and i simply made my own sealmate, cleaned the dirt that made the fork leak and badda bing badda boom, no more leaky front fork.

 

[Geoff]

I get a miniscule ring on each leg after a decent ride too. The rate of loss would be at the tiny end of minor though so losing significant volume won't be an issue. I was on a suspension course with Dave Moss a couple of years ago. He said that to get the best out of your front end, you should change your fork oil at less than 10000 km intervals. For anyone that keen, you're not going to notice the difference :smile:

 

[Jefsta]

Thanks for the input fellas much appreciated.

I think it's strange that both forks have exactly the same leak. I think this is why the dealer wasn't willing to put in a warranty claim yet.

I'll leave it for another 1000kms and see how progresses. Might also give the seal mate a go 👍

 

[dma]

Have you cleaned under the covers like it suggests in the manual?

There are covers at the bottom of the fork stanchions (the rubbery bits with the spring round them) - you can push them down the fork tube toward the axel.

Mine seemed to leak a little at first as they bedded in from new, but you should push the covers down each fork leg (after cleaning below) and make sue to clean right up to the seal so the whole fork leg is clean.

Mine don't seem to leak at all now - just keep them clean and stop any grime getting up to the actual seals themselves.

 

[Jefsta]

Have you cleaned under the covers like it suggests in the manual?

There are covers at the bottom of the fork stanchions (the rubbery bits with the spring round them) - you can push them down the fork tube toward the axel.

Mine seemed to leak a little at first as they bedded in from new, but you should push the covers down each fork leg (after cleaning below) and make sue to clean right up to the seal so the whole fork leg is clean.

Mine don't seem to leak at all now - just keep them clean and stop any grime getting up to the actual seals themselves.

Thanks dma - I didn't even see that page! I should probably read the owners manual more carefully lain: will give it a go

 

[barbagris]

If you dismantle at all - you could also consider something like https://www.proline-sports.co.uk/acatalog/fork-leg-oil-seal-savers/ - I have not seen the need to do so - but I know a lot of off road guys do.

 

[J D]

Merged this second, (fork leaking) thread with the original created by @Tink

 

[Geoff]

There are covers at the bottom of the fork stanchions (the rubbery bits with the spring round them) - you can push them down the fork tube toward the axel.

Do you have a particular technique? I had a tentative tap with a flat piece of alloy bar but nothing wanted to move easily and I didn't want to damage anything so I stopped at that point.