Why Would Motorcycle Fork Seals Fail While Loaded on Trailer

Published 10/26/2015

Question:

I have a 2014 Yamaha Super Tenere that I haul about 3,000 miles per year, 2 vacations. There is one issue that I have found no mention of by using search engines. The Cargo Buckle has a self tightening feature, that works against hauling motorcycles, What happens is, the front forks, after many miles on rough roads, get pulled down so tightly that I had one leak on this low mileage bike. I am waiting for an answer from the Cargo Buckle folks to see how to deal with this. I know a brace to prevent forks from pulling down would do the trick, but this is a street bike with a front fender and does not lend itself to a fork brace like real dirt bikes. I agree with all the great reviews on this product, well thought out, but, on hauling motorcycle with long travel forks, not so much. Thanks for any ideas......

asked by: Bill C

Expert Reply:

Over tightening straps that secure a bike by the handlebars can blow out the fork seals. So I would not recommend the use of a strap that automatically tightens as you will end up with the problem you experienced.

The CargoBuckle G3 Retractable Ratchet Tie-Down Straps # IMF18800 can self retract, but they do not self tighten. If these are the straps you used and the fork seals blew out it would be from either over tightening them on the initial install or weak seals.

expert reply by: Jameson C