Why is non leaky front shocks important?

Yeshua's Dad here.

Took in the 81 or 82 (cannot remember) XJ750 to the local Yamaha shop for a "get it all done" repair assessment.

There is a slight oiling - not heavy above the seal of the 1 fork, they said of course 'it needs to be done'...

My Q is - why is this an issue? This bike will likely see less than 1000KM per year riding time on it - most of that with 2 of us on it / 430lb total weight - Ok - we are a little over weight haha

(OK I'll admit - I am NOT in any way or shape mechanically minded - my answer is always - just drop it off...)

Is this a repair that a non mechanically minded guy can do? I have seen the thread that gives a details conversation of what to do, & hoping the XJCD that's coming has the pics of what to do... (I also need to put on a new front tire as well.) I was thinking of dropping it off there for balancing while it was off)

What say you?

Con -the dad. Reading this BB by the hours trying to catch up on issues - very helpful BB

still mulling over a 81 xj650 for yeshua - needs more work than the bike is worth - but cannot find any bikes at all in the area in the 3K price range... this 750 is for mom & dad to play on.

 

The seal is important to replace because when the fork oil that it holds in finaly leaks out the shocks will be miss-loaded. One will give more than the other causing an imbalance while turning which will lead to a twist of the forks while turning or an over/under lean of the tire ahead/behind of the forks. This would be a serious steering problem. It will only show up when turning aggressively but will be almost impossible to handle. When hitting bumps the wheel will lean ahead of the forks and cause bump steer. That means the bike will turn in one direction everytime you hit a bump. Hit a bump in a turn and you may be in the ditch or worse, in the oncoming car.
I find seals easy to replace and will be doing fne fro a friend this weekend. But if you have no real mechanical skills I wouldn't try it.

 

That leaking fork oil also has a nasty habit of migrating down the fork tubes and onto the front brake caliper, saturating the brake pads. This WILL cause anything from diminished braking, to almost non-existent front brakes. Been there myself.

 

you will ruin a lot of pants

 

I believe the fork oil is primarily for dampening.

No oil will make it very bouncy.

Yes, you could keep refilling, ruining your clothes, having stains where you park it and a dirty bike.

 

Poor handling and possible brake contamination are all the motivation I need to change out a set of seals. Its not that hard but it does take a few hours.