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Fork Seal Strategy

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Hillclimb#42:
 I have to see what you guys are doing to preserve fork seals and their lifespan. I have never been the guy that jumps the highest or lands the hardest, but it is frustrating to have a good day of riding and then to realize that a fork is leaking. Its downright expensive to blow both sides in a ride. I rarely have a shock problem, but too often am replacing seals. I'll start with what I do, and maybe you guys can pitch in some different things, to get a bigger picture for everyone.

  First, I replace bushings in a set of forks that leak in one ride or without cause.

  Second, I use a 2x4 between front tire and underneath side of front fender during transportation. That way the strap is not pulling down on the forks.

  Third, I make sure both sides are adjusted to the same settings.

  4th, I occasionally bleed off the pressure with the fork vents.

Mabe something I am doing wrong, in theory, is only redoing a side that is leaking, which may cause a slight embalance.

 Is there any thing I can do doing a fork rebuild to help the life span? Does anyone use a lubricant other than fork oil to lube the tubes? Do you pull the dust covers after every cleaning and remove debris? Any favorite brands of seals? Does thinner oil with stiff settings, or thich oil with soft settings make a difference? 

kwakman:
I have seen a shock type dust protector for the shock on some bikes, maybe that would help at the back? Like a big shock sock.Do you use a power washer near the seals? These can play havoc with seals, bearings etc.

DoldGuy:
42,
What fork oil level are you running?
DoldGuy

Hillclimb#42:
Having 5 to deal with, I always run right in the middle of recommended levels. i always ran 7wt in Bel Ray oil, but now am using Lucas oil. It comes in 5, 10, 15, so I went with the 10. I bounce around with different seal brands. i have noticed some have a spring deal that wraps the dust seal and others that have no spring. Would a higher level or lower level help. I am confused, if more oil would be more cushion against bottoming or would be more internal pressure?
 kwakman, I have only had one rear shock leak, ever, and it was starting the 500 of all ways to blow it. I do use a power washer to clean them. You think some kind of protector for washing? I was thinking maybe mud dries inbetween the dust seal and oil seal, then the first bump you hit, you have a hard crispy chunk that sticks in the oil seal.

DoldGuy:
42,
For the very short amount of time that you run the "Air" in the chamber would not have time to heat up & expand to pose a problem if you are bleeding them every other run or so. It sounds as you already know the basics but just in case: New Dust Seals, No nicks in the sliders (Chrome Tubes), both Fork Bushings in good shape, Springs correct for your weight, Fork Oil Level (amount down from the top of the tubes collapsed) correct? Years ago I had the same problems with my KX with 43mm Tubes, the cures for me was I stepped up the spring rate & lowered the fork oil level (more room for the air before it pops a seal) replaced the cartridge rod bushing (if this is worn the bottoming cone is ineffective) & probably the most important part was I cleaned the Sliders before EVERY ride. A buddy that does suspension work also recommended the Honda seals  :-P also because he felt they had better QC than Y, K, or S and he had better luck & would always use them. I also power washed my bike after each practice & every moto & would slide down the dust seal and clean, reinstall with a little bit of grease to capture anything that got in.
Hope some of this might help! :-D
DoldGuy

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