Bike shop visit, fork cleaning, and test rides

July 7^th, 2026

Fairbanks, Alaska

Woke at 8:00 am and got ready.

Did some online checks for opening times and to plot my route to the bike shop.

Got the bike uncovered and went over it again to see if there was any leakage overnight, and then cleaned everything again just to make sure there was no older signs of leakage left.

Rode bike over to the shop, which was not that far away, but I tried to take streets with more lights and stopped harder and purposely hit smaller bumps to make the suspension work harder.

Arrived at the location and could not see any signs of leakage, so I decided to just pursue finding the proper cleaning tools and fork socks as I think the problem was just dirt in the seals.

Inside I found the fork socks, only had one size, and when I looked up the forks on my bike, they are actually bit larger.  Socks are for 44-50mm, but bike is 43mm, but should be close enough.  They were $30, which was not a bad price based on the research I had done before I left.

I then went up to the counter to ask about the fork cleaners and saw them on the pegs behind the counter, so when my turn came, I said that was what I wanted.

Guy asked which type, as they make two different types of cleaner.  The one I knew about, was basically a better version of the plastic bottle cut out I had made myself, but the other was a larger piece, but easier to use supposedly, and he claimed cleaned better and lasted longer.

I decided to buy the better one, and then since the other kind was cheap, bought it as well, so I have both options (I know the one kind does work, but the other type did look easier to use).

All in it cost me about $65 to get all the stuff.

Since things are looking good, I am going to go ahead and try riding the Dalton.

He had mentioned they could do a seal job on the bike, but did not sound confident they could do it in next 24 hours when I mentioned I had to leave sometime the next day.

I did ask, and he was already in process of doing it anyway, if they had the parts on hand to do the job, should I require it later.

They do have all the seals and such, though he was not sure about a few bushings, but also noted that those many not need replaced anyway, so could likely re-use them.

It is good to know they have stuff, so if I do have a problem again, or the problem cannot be fixed by cleaning, then I can come in and get the repair done.

If things go badly on the Dalton with the seals, then I can come back down to Fairbanks and get it fixed, and possibly call ahead to schedule it depending on how far up the road I am.  Could take a day or two to return, so gives them time to schedule it.

Once done I rode back to the hotel and immediately used both cleaners to clean the forks again.

I first used the new type and it was much easier to use, and it pulled a decent amount of fine grit out of both seals.

I used the other one after, just to see how it worked, and much more difficult to get around the fork, but it does work, though both times it came out mostly clean since I had used the other one first.  The other one also has a end to clean the dust cap seal as well, which I did, though those had been cleaned earlier as well and were easy to clean, so not much was found on them.

I then put stuff away, and then found a fixed a few other things on the bike.

I mostly tightened a few bolts or screws that I felt were getting loose.  Also found one of the clips in the instrument panel had fallen out.  Nothing I can do to replace it without buying the part, but also not too worried, the panels fit together so tight they are not going to move.  Might rattle a bit, but bike is already a rattle trap.

I also found one of the bolts holding the battery tray was missing!

That I was able to replace from the box of spare hardware I had bought many years back thinking it might be a good idea to have some spare bolts, nuts and washer along. 

Also found the few things I had left in the tray under the seat had mostly bounced out!  I do not recall what all I put under there, but the tube of graphite was stuck in the fairing, the packet of hand cleaner was down beside battery and other things were barely hanging on.  Other then a spare wire harness for the GPS which was secured better, I decided only to put the shop towel back in there as rest of it bounces around too much.

The bikes tool kit is there, but is secures down into its spot.

I then took the bike for another long ride to have lunch and see if the better cleaning helped.

Was going to stop at a Greek food truck, but when I reach it, was very busy, so decided to look elsewhere.

Ended up back over by the laundry place, and recalled a place there that had been closed that day, and it was open today.

Pizza place, and they had decent food for very reasonable prices!

Once I had eaten, I rode the long way back on the highways to the hotel, and did not find any signs of leakage. I could just detect where the tubes had compressed as there was a slight blur of the chrome where the oil seal had moved up and town on the tube.  This seems normal from what I recall seeing on the bike in the past when I would clean it.

I do thin when this trip is over though I should probably have a seal job done anyway, if anything to replace the seal oil that has been lost.  Not sure how much, but guessing a decent amount was leaked out.  The front still feels normal, so not worried about it, but will put it on my list to have done later in winter.

I then put on the shock socks and secured them best I could.  They barely fit over the outer shock tube, and fit perfectly on the inner tube.  I cannot really secure them with the zip ties they included as the under lying tube does not provide anything to secure against, so would just be pressure against the tube wall, not sure if that would hold it, and if it did slip off, then the zip tie would be loose on there and could get caught up in the seal.

I would also like to be able to remove them nightly to clean under and check them.

I took the bike for a test ride around the airport, which provided a decently bumpy road surface to get the suspension moving.  Also rode past a few places with some old beat up planes just sitting there.  Lots of old planes sitting around edges of various properties, but this place had them lined up and on display.

When I reached the hotel, as I feared, one side had slipped up and off the outer tube, letting the seal area be exposed, so not going to do any good.

I will see how it goes first day of riding, but may have to try the zip ties anyway, but that may not help.

Will just have to monitor and check on them often when in bumpy and dirty spots.

Secured and covered the bike and came inside to finish video.

Once done, I was exhausted again, so took a 2 hour nap and then woke to write up this and yesterdays blogs.

Will skip dinner tonight, not even hungry, lunch was too much, but was going to walk over to get something to drink, but now its 8:00pm, not sure I want to bother.

Will figure it out and then either do it or not, then just have to upload all todays work on the very slow internet here and then pack up a few things and go to bed.

Will not be in a rush to leave tomorrow, with the long daylight still, I can ride much later, so do not need to rush out the door.

No plans for tomorrow other than to head north.

I have already marked all the fuel stops and possible camp sites and hotel spots (which are likely all booked up anyway), so will just ride till I feel close to stopping and pick a spot.

Catch ya down the road.

Todays Route: