Things You'll Need:
- Clean rags or towels
- Brake cleaner spray
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Step 1
Clean and inspect the fork tubes, particularly where the lower fork legs, or stanchions, meet the upper fork tube. Run your finger across the fork tube, feeling for dents, corrosion or scratches on the tube's surface. If neither is present, move on to the next step.
Note that this applies to inverted forks that are found mostly on modern sport bikes, as well. However, inverted forks will have the thinner fork tubes on the bottom of the fork. -
Step 2
Compress the front fork by holding in the front brake lever and pressing down firmly on the motorcycle's front end. The forks should compress evenly with some resistance. If the forks compress unevenly, one or both of your fork seals has been compromised.
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Step 3
Release the front brake and reinspect the fork tubes both visually and physically. Run your finger across the fork tubes again. Any oily or slick surfaces are symptoms of faulty seals. Immediately replace those seals.
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Step 4
Inspect your motorcycle's front wheel and tire, as well as the brake rotors and pads. If there is any sign of fork oil leakage on any of these components, clean them immediately using a brake cleaner spray and wipe dry with a clean towel.
