Last year when I was riding [somewhat] across the country, randomly my left foot got pissed onand i pulled over and noticed it was oil.

It couldnt be the engine because there was oil in front of the cooling fins on the thingy all the way in front of the engine (cools something electronic if my mind serves me right)

I freaked out, pulled over and saw oil everywhere but couldnt find where it came from, couple months later, I took the bike out for a quick ride and when I applied front brakes, left fork would make a clicking noise and almost feels like it dips too much.

So im thinking I blew a seal, any special tools to fix the seal? Anything else I should replace while im in there? and most importantly, am i right in thinking it is a blown seal?

Edit: I should also note that the fluid felt like it came from the bottom of the forks. By the wheel

 

maybe. could be the screw at the bottom of the fork slider where the axle is. once you isolate the issue you can move forward. oil leaks can be a PIA to locate. fork oil stinks to high hell so you'd know it was fork oil. wait a few and see if someone comes along with a sure fire test.


there's not a lot going on inside there and certainly nothing to be afraid of fixing on your own. super easy, only looks complicated

see here:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...l#post14817982





you can get new seals for about 15 bucks: http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/dr...t/DS-0407-0192

or a full rebuild kit from HD p/n:49379-09 (or others ): https://www.surdyke.com/AdvPartInfo....umber=49379-09

 

Thanks for the answer but like you said, I might have to wait for a sure fire test.

This happened 2-3k miles ago, I didnt smell anything at the time but the smell would have been long gone by now anyway.

I cant think of anyhting else because there is nothing else ahead of the motor that contains oil

 

You can put a rigged-up dipstick down each fork tube, and see if the oil level in one is much lower than the other. (Bike on a lift, and be careful when removing the caps)

 

This! Loosen the top pinch bolt on both left and right sides of the top tree. With both tubes still on the bike, remove both tube caps. There should be some pressure on those caps so some pressure on them when you remove. Use a flashlight to look into each tube and see if one tube is obviously lower on fluid than the other. Use an improvised dip stick to gauge the fluid level. Should only take a few minutes.

 

Awesome! Thanks!!

 

Awesome tutorial on rebuild from one of hdforums sponsors :

 

you can install cartridges while you're on it (Adreani, Ohlins). Video covers it as well. Or get cartridge emulators & springs from racetech (somewhat cheaper). Write up on cartridges:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...artridges.html

 

$15 for new seals is not bad.
New fork oil and your on your way.

Now cartridges might run you a little more.
I would check it and decide how much you want to invest.
Some ricor intiminators while your there is a very good investment.

 

if there has been no oil in there, rebuild would be better.