The oil in your fork loses lubricity, gets dirty, and should be changed
every 10,000 miles or once a year
. Here's the quickest way to do it—and, yes, we know there's a better way to do a cartridge fork.
Does changing fork oil make a difference?
The oil serves a couple of purposes in your forks. It provides lubrication for the sliding parts, keeping them from wearing metal to metal. The oil also provides
your damping
. The viscosity of the oil will break down over time and produce less damping action and needs to be replaced because of this.
How do I know if my forks need oil?
Some indicators for basic bath oil/seal service = leaking around seals,
excessive oily dirt goo build up on top of seals that reappears on every ride
, visible wear on stanchions(by that time it's too late).
Does motorcycle fork oil go bad?
Registered.
It doesn't go bad
. Use what you've got.
When should I change my fork oil seal?
Replace Fork Seals
Fork seals should be replaced
after 40 hours of riding
or two years if you don't ride very often.
How long can fork oil last?
Usually, the change interval for the fork oil ranges from
10,000 miles to 20,000 miles
depending on the motorcycle manufacturer and model. A general replacement rule of changing the fork oil every 10,000 miles or annually should keep the front suspension in good working condition.
How much does it cost to change fork oil?
Parts are around $100 if you replace all the seals and bushings and bolts and washers etc. Add another
$20 or so
for fork oil.
Can I use engine oil as fork oil?
motor oil works well in the outer chambers
of twin chamber forks. I first used it in my honda now my yamaha and I think the 5/20 motor oil is slicker and offers less stiction. Some have said the honda forks mix the outer and inner oils over time so that might be a problem if you run your too long between changes.
How do you know when your forks are bad?
A trick to help you tell if your fork seals are leaking is
to take a clean cloth and wipe the lower part of the forks
. Once both the forks are clean, take your bike out for a quick spin. If you notice oil or grime around the forks at the end of your ride, there's a good chance that the fork seals need to be replaced.
How much oil do you put in motorcycle forks?
It's
about 200ml of oil
.
How long should motorcycle fork seals last?
While
every two years
would be ideal, assuming they have no problems, every three to four years (unless you're on track or riding an awful lot) should be fine.
How much does it cost to replace fork seals on a motorcycle?
Approximate cost:
$150 – $400
Motorcycle shops and dealers costs vary greatly depending upon where you live geographically but from the feedback we hear from our customers is they were quoted as low as $150 and as high as $400 to have a shop fully remove the forks and replace the seals.
Does shock fluid go bad?
Yes shock oil does go bad but not quickly
becuase most oils are silicone. Most of the time the oil becomes contaminated and dirty long before the oil breaks down. But since your oil is still in the bottle, it should be good to go. So the oil in shocks should be changed with use not so much with age.
Can I change fork seals without disassembly?
Yes
. Pull the bolt out that secures the cartridge to the lower fork leg and the forks will come apart. Put a seal in with a split type fork seal driver. Then you pull the cap and separate from cartridge to pull the spring to set the fork oil level.
What are the grades of fork oil?
MC Fork Oil 5 is recommended for use in motorcycle forks and other suspension systems that require
SAE 5W and 7.5W
grades of oil.
Are fork seals hard to replace?
Replacing your fork seals is an
easy
enough job if you know a few tricks. The first step to any DIY job is to do a little research and get all the parts you'll need for the job. You'll at least need the new seals and fork oil but should also consider wipers, bushings and any seals or o-rings for the caps.
How long does it take to replace fork seals?
You'll need to replace the seal and minimize your riding until you do. If you're not careful, the oil could drip onto the caliper, rendering the brake useless. Set aside
around two hours
to replace the fork seals.
What oil do you use for bike forks?
I use
rock oil or silkolene fork oil
from motorbike shops. Have done for years across Fox, Marzocchi and RS – all perfectly fine. Unless you are rebuilding the damper unit you can use car oil in the lowers. Its just for lubrication of the lowers.
What weight is motorcycle fork oil?
Standard fork oil weight is
in the 7W range
. Switching to 10W will make the suspension move slower through the travel, but it may cause the rebound to be too slow, making the forks pack down over successive bumps.
What can I use instead of fork oil?
You can use
differential oil
. Check the spec on your fork to see what viscosity (“weight”) you need. Make sure that you don't overfill the shock (don't guess!)- some shocks only have oil in one side, and others don't have oil at all.
How do you test motorcycle forks?
There are a few simple tests you can do to determine whether your forks are in good condition. By
pulling the front brake lever and depressing the forks as far as they go
and then, whilst holding the brake lever in, release your weight from the forks you can determine their state of play.
When should you replace forks?
Install new forks when the forks are too thin.
Legally, you must replace any forks
that are worn to 90 percent or less of their original thickness
.
What happens if you overfill fork oil?
If it's really over filled, then
the forks become rock hard and the springs that are in the forks are more or less there for the ride as
the “air spring” which is the air volume above the fluid level begins to dominate everything. So, if your forks are overly stiff, yes, too high oil level might do that.
What does adding more fork oil do?
Adding oil to your forks
reduces the air volume
. Since air is compressible, a smaller airspace is harder to compress than a larger airspace, which results in a stiffer fork.
How long should shocks last?
On average, if your car has been “babied,” you can expect your shocks/struts to last
about 10 years
. If you have really used your car like a workhorse, 5 years is probably all you can expect. This means that for the average driver, 7 or 8 years is the maximum life expectancy of most shocks and struts.
What noise do bad shocks make?
If you experience similar vibrations on smooth roads, your shocks, struts, or steering stabilizer may be worn. Unusual noises – When shocks and struts are worn out you may hear a
clunking or knocking sound
. This sound is caused by metal-to-metal contact when the shock or strut bottoms out when hitting a bump.
How much does it cost to replace fork seals on dirt bike?
How much does it cost to replace fork seals? If you do it yourself, replacing both fork seals is
around 40 dollars
with the kit and oil. If you take it to a shop, depending on their labor rates, expect to pay between 100 and 150 dollars.
What tools do you need to change fork seals?
- 47mm ProX fork seal kit.
- Torque wrench (recommended from a reputable company for accuracy)
- Socket wrench (3/8 drive)
- 8mm socket or 8mm T-handle wrench.
- 10mm socket or 10mm T-handle wrench.
How much does a Fox fork service cost?
$190 USD / $220 CAD
*
Thorough inspection of fork for damage and/or wear. Complete tear down and rebuild of damper, including new seals and oil. New dust wipers and foam rings.
How do I know my shocks need to be replaced?
One way to test the condition of the shocks and struts of your car is
to push down hard on each corner of a vehicle
. If the vehicle continues to bounce after you let go, your shocks need replacing.
Can I ride with a leaking fork seal?
You should notride with a bad fork seal
for many reasons, safety being number one. A bad fork seal could leak oil onto your brake calipers, resulting in trouble decelerating and stopping the bike. That, plus poor shock absorption and an unbalanced ride makes a leaky fork seal dangerous to ride on.
