Benefits of a fork oil change

[ridgeman06]

Hi Guys,
I have a 98 tourer with 25000 miles on her. I bought the bike with a little under 10000 miles and I do not know if the fork oil was ever replaced. There are no leaks anywhere, but I sometimes wonder if the ride would improve with new oil.
Can anyone comment on this and  give advice to me if it should be done? I can do some jobs, but this would have to be a dealer job for sure.
Thanks, Eric

[hubcapsc]

Main oil change benefit:

  it's a good time to throw in some Progressive springs! (big improvement)

-Mike

[Baloo]

Eric,

I just went through a fork seal replacement because the RH had started to leak. Of course, during the process, I had to replace the oil. Did both forks while I was in there so I should be done with it for a while. I honnestly did not see any difference in the ride before and after. But if you decide to go ahead with the oil change, it is really not that complicated and it sure is something that you can do yourself. I must says that I have been wondering too about the advantages (if any) of changing the fork oil... No need to wonder any more in my case... 

[Ricky-D]

Changing the front tire (removal/replacement) or anything that encompasses removal of the front axle has the potential of alteration of the front end geometry and PCL (parts comfort location).

The front end (forks) wear-in and have a geometry relationship (PCL) that when disturbed may cause leakage at the fork seals.

It is very important that the axle is placed exactly back to the position it was originally. To do otherwise will impart different forces to the parts (forks and internals) that heretofore were not there. Very real example of this would be leaky fork seals.

If the forks leak oil, seals may not be the total answer. There are other wear parts inside the fork legs that may cause the leakage. The leaking seals are usually the final evidence and simply to replace them with new seals and no other changes may only forestall the leaking for a short period of time (use).

***

[Baloo]

If that's what you mean, I did replace the bushings too... 

[Patrick]

I like to keep fluids changed, just because I like to keep fluids changed.. That said, if you are happy with the ride and handling qualities then there may not be a reason to change it.. If you'd like to change the ride and handling then going to a different weight oil may help..