MOT fail "shock absorber"

dubster · Jul 13, 2019

Hi Gents,

My 1150GS had a small weep from the RHS fork which has caused it to fail MOT last week.

The fault was labelled as "Major defect - Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak Front [5.3.2(b)]"

The fork has always had some issue with this (tried changing seal last year but problem continued] and its never really bothered me as there really isn't much oil escaping and I had understood the forks' only function was to slide rather than actually absorb shock. Last year it was noted as an advisory.

What I am wondering then is:

1. are the forks actually 'shock absorbers' given the telelever setup of the GS?
2. has the tester correctly labelled this a 'major fault' worthy of an outright fail?

Would appreciate any input from the collective :beerjug:

adventuredon · Jul 13, 2019

I am in the same boat as you come my MOT in December. MY 1150r has a very slight corrosion issue just where the seal is and after having the seal replaced recently it showed that it is indeed still leaking. Jut tried a seal buddy to see if that helps, but if not, come MOT time, I will probably need to get forks rechromed...not looking forward to that

dubster · Jul 14, 2019

adventuredon said:
I am in the same boat as you come my MOT in December. MY 1150r has a very slight corrosion issue just where the seal is and after having the seal replaced recently it showed that it is indeed still leaking. Jut tried a seal buddy to see if that helps, but if not, come MOT time, I will probably need to get forks rechromed...not looking forward to that

I normally just wipe a rag around the fork before inspection (leak is very small and no danger of oil on brakes) - of course this time round it slipped my mind :blast

taminator · Jul 14, 2019

The oil is there just for lubrication purposes, but a tester will deem it as an advisory on the first instance, so pop the dust seal and take the seal out to see if it's been put in the correct way up, check the stanchion surface contact area for dings or corrosion if ok have a good look at the actual seal itself for any nicks and if it's a genuine bmw part as aftermarket seals can vary in dimension, failing all this cotton wool under the fork dust seal pre mot bodge ��

dubster · Jul 14, 2019

taminator said:
The oil is there just for lubrication purposes, but a tester will deem it as an advisory on the first instance

With you so far, but honest question - and please excuse my lack of knowledge re the mechanics of the test - does the second instance of the same fault automatically constitute 'major' or should it be marked as a advisory as per last year?

Also unsure if the fork can actually be considered a 'shock absorber'... :nenau

Ant1967 · Jul 14, 2019

Any oil leak is major as it may eventually contaminate the brakes or tyres.

Madmountainman · Jul 14, 2019

Just stick some neoprene fork gaiters on. The MOT tester isn't allowed to remove them.

bowie · Jul 14, 2019

Ant1967 said:
Any oil leak is major as it may eventually contaminate the brakes or tyres.

Spot on ☺

dubster · Jul 14, 2019

Ant1967 said:
Any oil leak is major as it may eventually contaminate the brakes or tyres.

So why only advisory last year?

Does an advisory become a major on the next test? :nenau

King Rat · Jul 15, 2019

adventuredon said:
I am in the same boat as you come my MOT in December. MY 1150r has a very slight corrosion issue just where the seal is and after having the seal replaced recently it showed that it is indeed still leaking. Jut tried a seal buddy to see if that helps, but if not, come MOT time, I will probably need to get forks rechromed...not looking forward to that

Not such a major deal - HCP in Mansfield are very good.

https://www.hardchromeplating.co.uk/forks-rechroming

Steptoe · Jul 15, 2019

dubster said:
So why only advisory last year?

Does an advisory become a major on the next test?

It’s because you’ve had a year to do something about it after being advised and haven’t bothered doing anything

Phil-H · Jul 15, 2019

Pop the dust seal out and put some absorbent paper in just before the test - or just fix it properly.

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MOT fail "shock absorber"

dubster

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adventuredon

Well-known member

dubster

Registered user

taminator

Well-known member

dubster

Registered user

Ant1967

Well-known member

Madmountainman

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bowie

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dubster

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King Rat

Well-known member

Steptoe

What a waste.

Phil-H

Registered user

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