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[Eqcons]

My bike has been sitting in our hallway all winter, doing nothing, except for my change to the WO Chubbies.  I've noticed fluid running down the brake caliper on the RHS as it sits there, and dripping on to the wheel.  My first thought was that it must be some brake fluid that I'd spilled when I changed the brake lines for the longer ones to suit the Chubs.  But after I wiped it up, a few weeks later it reappeared. I'd move the position of the forks a little, so I still though the same, but just to be sure, I checked the tightness of the bleed nipple and the banjo bolt on the caliper, and they were fine.

This weekend, I noticed it doing it again, so I've looked very closely, and the stream seems to run down onto the front end of the caliper from - wait for this - the rear bolt holding the fender to the fork tube    So I'm thinking it has to be fork oil, not brake fluid, but surely fork oil couldn't be weeping out along that bolt thread, could it?  The tapped hole must be nowhere near the innards of the fork tube.

So anybody any ideas??? 

Jim

[rednectum]

dust it with baby powder. check for damp spots to find the source of leak.

dont rule out someone playing pranks, it happens!

let us know what ya find.

[Eqcons]

dust it with baby powder. check for damp spots to find the source of leak.

dont rule out someone playing pranks, it happens!

let us know what ya find.

I can pretty well see where it comes from, and it's definitely the INSIDE of the rearmost right hand side fender mounting bracket.  Can't be a prank, the wife (only other person here!) doesn't have a sense of humour! <but don't tell her I said that> 

Jim

[murphy]

What colour is the fluid?

[Eqcons]

What colour is the fluid?

Usual amber colour of both oil and brake fluid!

[SEULTRA]

My bike has been sitting in our hallway all winter, doing nothing, except for my change to the WO Chubbies.  I've noticed fluid running down the brake caliper on the RHS as it sits there, and dripping on to the wheel.  My first thought was that it must be some brake fluid that I'd spilled when I changed the brake lines for the longer ones to suit the Chubs.  But after I wiped it up, a few weeks later it reappeared. I'd move the position of the forks a little, so I still though the same, but just to be sure, I checked the tightness of the bleed nipple and the banjo bolt on the caliper, and they were fine.

This weekend, I noticed it doing it again, so I've looked very closely, and the stream seems to run down onto the front end of the caliper from - wait for this - the rear bolt holding the fender to the fork tube    So I'm thinking it has to be fork oil, not brake fluid, but surely fork oil couldn't be weeping out along that bolt thread, could it?  The tapped hole must be nowhere near the innards of the fork tube.

Anything can happen when drilling/tapping into a surface. Stress crack, pin hole. You may want to pull the bolt and thoroughly clean it out with alcohol and a Q-Tip, clean the surface below it with alcohol, dry it and dust it with baby powder. You'll know for sure then if it's coming from the bolt hole. Maybe machining residue? Oil is often used when tapping into metal/aluminum. Good luck! 
So anybody any ideas??? 

Jim

[Eqcons]

More than just machining residue, this! 

Jim

[murphy]

If it was me, knowing how the Moco always wants to find excuses to void warranty, I would wait till the warmer weather comes and let the stealer take it apart.

I have seen motocross bikes do this in the past, stress fracture related and it will leak through the tap... looks like alot of fluid, but it's really not.

It's not just one bolt you will have to remove to address the problem... this is what your warrantee is for!

Hope all turns out well!!!

[Eqcons]

If it was me, knowing how the Moco always wants to find excuses to void warranty, I would wait till the warmer weather comes and let the stealer take it apart.

I have seen motocross bikes do this in the past, stress fracture related and it will leak through the tap... looks like alot of fluid, but it's really not.

It's not just one bolt you will have to remove to address the problem... this is what your warrantee is for!

Hope all turns out well!!!

That's how I see it too, Murph.  It's a couple of CC of fluid, that's all.

Jim

[mcdonaldroadcapt]

Have you by any chance greased you steering head bearings?  The reason that I asked is the grease sometimes breaks down and leaks an oily substance that can run down the fork.

[Eqcons]

Have you by any chance greased you steering head bearings?  The reason that I asked is the grease sometimes breaks down and leaks an oily substance that can run down the fork.

No, not that.  I can't find any trace of anything running down the fork either - but it starts off on the caliper above any point where it could be a leak from the nipple or banjo.  And, of course, it seems to leak from inside the fender.......

Jim

[Talon]

Have you tried pulling the fender bolt? You might try sticking a Q-Tip inside and see if there is any fluid inside the thread hole.

[Eqcons]

Have you tried pulling the fender bolt? You might try sticking a Q-Tip inside and see if there is any fluid inside the thread hole.

Kind of hard to get the tab bent back without taking the wheel off, which itself is difficult in the house.

Jim

[motor1]

         Just read your post, have something similar on my 07. I traced mine to the cap on the top of the right fork leg, it cannot be viewed without taking the fairing apart, however; take a good look at the top of the lower triple tree, there is a recess that the fork oil will pool in before it drips down to the fender bolt. You will get a better view if you turn your handlebars to full lock. I you need further explanation let me know and I will talk you thru it.

[Eqcons]

         Just read your post, have something similar on my 07. I traced mine to the cap on the top of the right fork leg, it cannot be viewed without taking the fairing apart, however; take a good look at the top of the lower triple tree, there is a recess that the fork oil will pool in before it drips down to the fender bolt. You will get a better view if you turn your handlebars to full lock. I you need further explanation let me know and I will talk you thru it.

It is indeed running down from the top - wrapped the fork leg in tissue and now know that it's coming down in a tiny stream at the back, under the upper fork slider cover, and running round the fender tab on to that bolt.

No pooling in the triple tree recess - I'd looked at that already.

I thought it must be the fork seal, (since it's under the slider cover) but now you have me thinking..... I best have the fairing off to look. How did you cure it, just tighten the cap?

Jim