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Front Fork - Leaking a bit - Do I need to service it?
After I ride, the right leg of my fork has a bit of black oil on the section above the rubber seal, while the left fork leg is fine. I have had the bike 18 months and never serviced the forks. Do I need a service or is fine to continue riding with. I don't particularly want to spend $100 on new seals and fork service, but if it needs to be done then so be it. Don't want to cause any long term damage.
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I' take it to the shop you bought the bike at to have a look at it (least that's what I'd do) - you might find that the forks are under warrenty.
Run a piece of film or other thin plastic (I use the blister packs that cakes come in from Coles) around the fork leg inside the seal. I've fixed leaky M/C fork seals this way. Amazing how a little bit of dirt can cause so much leakage.
best to get it checked
This issue is not a warranty, especially after 18 months.
You absolutely must have your fork serviced. All suspension units must be done every 100 operating hours. This doesn't mean that you have to ride around with a diary and time your rides, but what it does mean is if you typically ride every Saturday morning for four hours every single weekend, then after 25 weekends get it serviced. So that's twice a year...as an example. Big dudes and aggressive riders need that servicing with more frequency. Think about what your suspension is going through during a ride. It takes the hits so you don't have to.
Not wanting to spend the money is absurd. Most folk who are enthusiastic enough to participate in this site are most likely also enthusastic enough to ride a lot, so please, everyone reading this, get your bikes serviced and for goodness heavens' sake don't forget about your fork and rear shock (if you have one) as these items are pretty crucial to the bikes overall performance.
Staying on top of your maintainence is critical. The dearer the bike means more performance which equals more maintainence. Try owning a Ducati! Ever had a particularly hot girlfriend? It's the same, high maintainence.
Don't even get me started on wheels, unless someone wants to start a thread...
I will get it serviced as it has done WAY over 100 hours!