Hi,
This topic is probably relevant to many models.
How does so much water get in to the forks? 1969/70 A65 with headlight ears and rubber concertina gaiters. As this water mixes with the oil is makes a thick emulsion that obviously affects the performance/function of the forks.
The only possible place looks to be just under the top yoke but this is quite sheltered. Also, there could be a gap where the headlight ears fit and clamp around the bottom yoke.
Dave.
Condensation adds to it.
my imported A50 had water in one leg only, corroded the valve at the bottom.
apart from the condensation, which in my case , why only one leg, the other excuse would be the collection of rain weeping past the fork seal.
if you have fork seal holder , the rain can sit in the holder cup and it will find its way down, modern forks often have dust seals above, so the rain is kept out better.
that said, Ive replaced many , normally on modern bikes that are kept outside uncovered as in the A50 case, one leg sheltered. The main cause being, road grit trapped on the stanchion getting down under the seal which then lets rain in. There are those that hose pipe their bikes down , this can also force water past the seal.
Hi,
The oil was changed probably 18 months ago and the oil was emulsified a bit but this time there was water in there as well. No pressure washer used and hand washing only with light spray rinsing.
I did ride it though hours of torrential rain a couple of times but how does ti get in?
I think I will use some clear silicone at the small gaps that are found at the yolks.
Dave.
Most gaiters have small holes to stop them ballooning when compressed, so my guess the water has got in through those then sat above the seal in the seal holder which is probably a single direction seal if i remember correctly then when fork is extended the water has made its way past the seal..
As the water is not emulsified / mixed with that would suggest the ingress has occurred since the bike was used to mix it.
Hi,
The water was only in one leg but emulsified oil in both. As last few rides were in dry conditions perhaps this water was sitting above the seal and seeped past over a few weeks hence not emulsified.
Perhaps the full answer will remain elusive but I will strip the fork down before using again.
Dave.