Shock oil leak?

[Afriblast]

Hi it's been a while since I last visited! A week ago I bought a '03 Blaster in a real good shape for a steal! It is basically as it came from the factory except for, spacers, a Bosson (South-African made) performance header and silencer, still on it's original tires, have good compression and the engine has never been opened! This weekend I noticed some oil on my left leg, upon closer inspection I noticed oil on the front of the cylinder and gearbox casing. I cleaned her up fearing a crack in the casing but could not find anything, then I noticed that it was a thin oil and clear. I then noticed that there were some oil on top of the front left fender as well as on the top of the shock, with the shock sock drenched in oil. Could it possibly be the shock leaking as I strapped her during transport or could it come from somewhere else? I have ruled brake fluid out as it does not smell like it neither does it have the same feel.

 

[Awk08]

there's only 2 sources of oil up there by the left front end...the shock, and the overflow tube for the transmission.
I'd say it's the shock by the oil description, soaked shock sock, and I have personally blown out 2 front shocks and had similar experiences with the oil on myself and burning on the header pipe.
but since the trans overflow is also right in that area, I'd double check it isn't trans fluid, by the color/smell and the trans fluid level in the sight glass.

not sure about availability of stock front shocks in SA ?
they're a dime a dozen over here.
confirm it is the shock, replace, and ride on !

 

[Afriblast]

Thank

there's only 2 sources of oil up there by the left front end...the shock, and the overflow tube for the transmission.
I'd say it's the shock by the oil description, soaked shock sock, and I have personally blown out 2 front shocks and had similar experiences with the oil on myself and burning on the header pipe.
but since the trans overflow is also right in that area, I'd double check it isn't trans fluid, by the color/smell and the trans fluid level in the sight glass.

not sure about availability of stock front shocks in SA ?
they're a dime a dozen over here.
confirm it is the shock, replace, and ride on !

Thanks Awk08, it seems like it could be the gearbox overflow, I wasn't aware of the gearbox overflow at the front! I just checked to find that the glass is completely full. Would it have done any damage? I am just going to drain the fluid and replace with the correct grade and volume anyway for my own peace of mind. It was suspicious to me that only the top of the shock would be wet with the bottom completely dry... Stock Blaster parts are very easy to come by and dirt cheap compared to other quads, hence the reason why I decided on a Blaster. I am contemplating on still replacing the front shocks with Banshee ones though.

 

[Blaaster]

While Banshee shocks are an improvement over stock, for a few dollars more you can do much better!

 

[Afriblast]

While Banshee shocks are an improvement over stock, for a few dollars more you can do much better!

Thanks Blaaster, I will keep it in mind when I start shopping around!