The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: NorR65 on November 01, 2012, 02:29:48 PM

Title: R65 1981 fork gaiters
Post by: NorR65 on November 01, 2012, 02:29:48 PM

I have to remove the long gaiters and instead use the small rubber dust boots. Inside the dust boot I have to use felt seals.
My question: do I have to oil the felt seal?
Thanks

Title: Re: R65 1981 fork gaiters
Post by: Bob_Roller on November 01, 2012, 02:31:39 PM

You can put some fork oil on the pieces of felt .

Title: Re: R65 1981 fork gaiters
Post by: montmil on November 01, 2012, 02:36:32 PM

The oiled felt is a bit easier to fit into the dust caps. It's also the last bastion of dusty grit defense.

Title: Re: R65 1981 fork gaiters
Post by: Barry on November 01, 2012, 05:04:53 PM

I don't add oil to the felts as I see one of their functions is to absorb any oil that gets past the seals and they can't do that if already saturated. A slight trace of oil always does seem to get past on mine even though it has new seals and perfect stanchions. On the other hand it would not be a good thing if new felts caused any significant drag so maybe a trace of oil on the surface would be OK.

Title: Re: R65 1981 fork gaiters
Post by: nhmaf on November 01, 2012, 05:11:25 PM

I generally dip my finger in some fork oil and give new felts a bit of a wipe with the oil - don't try to staturate them, but enough so the go in the slot they are suppsed to and  slide/wipe freely.

Title: Re: R65 1981 fork gaiters
Post by: montmil on November 01, 2012, 08:45:08 PM

Manual says the felts should be lightly oiled.

Title: Re: R65 1981 fork gaiters
Post by: NorR65 on November 02, 2012, 09:55:59 AM

Thanks
I will use fork oil. Now I am ready to remove the forks.