Oil near the triple tree?

[1096dad]

So I was checking around my bike and found what looks like some oil or something leaking from the lower part of the triple tree. (Or at least I think that's what its called). Is this normal? This pic is taken looking up from just behind fender.

[ssncob]

What you are probably seeing is a bad fork seal - oil is blowing up past the seal and hitting the tree. Most common is the left fork seal failing, so if you have more on the left side probable cause. Usually aggravated by the anti-dive valve system - which is why I have mine disabled.

Other possibility is you ran into some oil stuff on the highway and it blew up there - check your fender for any film.

Re-looked at pic - pretty hard to tell. Suggest wiping it down and the fork struts, then ride for a while and re-wipe down with a clean paper towel - will help to identify source.

[Rick Mays]

Wash it off, I bet it don't come back for awhile. Just gunky nasty stuff is all that is. Do check your fork seals as mentioned, but I have seen that and it is just nasty road gunk.

[Rocky]

I don't believe your fork seals are leaking.

I blew up your picture. And from the lack of seeing any fork oil splatter on the brake hose or the black plastic center cowl or the frame itself.

I'd say what you are seeing is normal stem bearing grease seeping out past he lower Triple tree seal.

This grease has a build up of road dust/dirt on it.

You can clean the area with Brake Clean and a rag covering the black plastic cowl if you like.

But there is no oil anywhere near the Triple tree.

[1096dad]

Good information guys! Thanks for the expertise.

[Kit Carson]

Now that the photo is large enough to see, I agree with Rocky, that is not an oil leak. Does not take much of a seep from the stem bearings to look bad, but that is not serious, just clean it up.

Ya have to make big pictures..........lol, I need bifocals now and a telescope to read the fine print. :D

[ssncob]

Now that the photo is large enough to see, I agree with Rocky, that is not an oil leak. Does not take much of a seep from the stem bearings to look bad, but that is not serious, just clean it up.

Ya have to make big pictures..........lol, I need bifocals now and a telescope to read the fine print. :D

Agree with Rocky and Kit. And small pictures are a bear.

[murgie]

Just curious, is this the OEM seal and bearings? Reason for asking was that some of the seals that came the AllBalls kits were a bit smaller than OEM. Not sure if that still is an issue but way back when, there was some posts about how the lower seal was different than OEM.

[1096dad]

These are OEM.