38mm Marzocchi Fork Seals

[David S]

Guys,

Fork seal failure. Ugh!

What's the recommended replacement. There seems to be three ways forward:-

-  single lip seal
-  two single lip seals stacked
-  double lip seal

DWS

[Rob B]

Two single lip seals stacked works for me. The double seal is harder to fit and remove.

Have fun!

Robert

[Dave Snr]

I used the two single lip seals stacked when I changed my fork legs.

On the advice of a Laverda specialist, I also put some HMP grease between the two seals before putting the legs back in.
The top seal, which is running dry wiping the dust and flys off the leg, will last longer and it significantly reduces the stiction effect.
The advantage of the the single seal is the much lower stiction, but you would need to use fork gaiters to get a reasonable life.

Dave H

[David S]

Thanks Robert and Dave H, most helpful.

Next question: there seems to be two types of seal; an R21 and an R23, the latter having a wiper as well as the seal lip.

Which is recommended for the Hesketh forks and why?

DWS

[Dave Snr]

Hi Dave,

It's been a few years since I did my forks - got the legs off Mick at Turweston, so that dates it.

From memory (always risky) the seals I put in only had a single lip - no wiper.
I put in two single lip seals on each leg.
Logic says that the top seal acts as a wiper for the lower seal.
Top seal wipes the dust and crap off the legs, protecting the lower seal which keeps the oil in.

If you were only putting in a single seal per leg then use the one with a wiper.



Dave H

[Rob B]

Yup! That's what I would do. And probably have done but can't remember doing it...

RB