Fork Oil- how often do you change it?

[NM_KDX200]

I'm dragging my feet at changing my fork oil. It's such a messy job and my forks are working great and blah, blah, blah....plus, I just KNOW that if I change it now that my seals will blow next ride and I'll have wasted all my money.

But, if ya'll tell me to change my oil, I will.

So, how often?

 

[Enduro_Nut]

Front and rear - every year to year and a half. I let a RACETECH shop do it.

 

[CaptainObvious]

Every season, in fact I'm doing 3 bikes (KDX200, KX125 & KX65) right now. You'd be surprised how gross that oil gets.

 

[KelvinKDX]

I changed mine two seasons ago - i keep thinking it's just fine. Now i'm sort of afraid to look.

 

[whyzee]

my next fork oil change is going to be to Motorex. Heard good things as for oil's properties. Anyone here use this stuff?

I've still got time as I only have 4 hours on the new bike :)

 

[NM_KDX200]

Well, I've got (shuffling feet, head down) nearly 3 years on the bike and haven't changed it yet. So far no one's told me to "do it".... :cool: But, I guess since it's too cold to go riding and since I have the oil waiting....sigh....I guess I'll do it tomorrow.

 

[CaptainObvious]

...So far no one's told me to "do it"...

Do it!

 

[Enduro_Nut]

Keep in mind - the shock should be changed more frequently than the fork. Have you felt the valve body after good, hard ride??

 

[motorider200]

As far as how to do it get a shop manual. I can't tell you how many times I have used it as a reference to work on my bike. Also for a fork oil level gauge I made one with a syringe, old fuel line, and piece of copper tubing. For a stopper I had a rubber grommet with a piece of plastic that slid over the copper tubing. I used a ruler to measure how far down the copper tubing went into the fork. As stated above get a shop manual it will save you from alot of guess work and time.

 

[NM_KDX200]

Okay, okay, I did it....it wasn't as bad as I remembered, just messy. It's one of those things you do every so often and thus forget all the little tricks that go along with it. I've got a fresh top end and fresh fork oil. Time to go riding.

A shop manual is the first thing I buy with a new bike. I use the tubing and syringe trick, too. Works fine.