how often do you change fork/shock oil?

groggylbc
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Long Beach, CA, USA
have 4 years and about 50 hours on the forks and 6 years and 75hours on the shock. im not a ripper...just your average 54year old. race C or B class depending on type of race.
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UGOTBIT
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Upstate, NY, USA
Fantasy
2/16/2021 4:34pm
It’s time.

20-30hrs seems to be the norm
7
Paw Paw 271
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Benton, LA, USA
2/16/2021 5:55pm
Your owners manual will have recommendations for these services and I have found them to be very good over the years. Yours are both at least 4years past due. If you don't ride that much , then once a year service on both is a good schedule.

Paw Paw
mwssquad827
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Twin Falls, ID, USA
2/16/2021 6:17pm Edited Date/Time 2/16/2021 6:20pm
I usually do my forks 4-5 times a year cuz it’s super easy and I mess with the oil levels a little bit and keep it all clean but shock once a year bare min... new oil/proper maintenance will make your suspension work much better
5
Pirate421
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USA
2/17/2021 3:23pm Edited Date/Time 2/17/2021 3:25pm
I have used factory connection and Protune suspension most recently. As well as a few others in the past 10 years. Just about all of the shop techs have told me for a B/C vet that 30-40 hrs should be good but go no longer than every other season. I try to do mine once a year no matter what

A lot of people will say no more than 20hrs but the suspension shop told me that was too soon for my pace and ability. I’ll take their word for it more riding time and less down time! I’m an notoriously OCD about maintenance and religiously over service my equipment going too soon on intervals. I’m trying to be better
3

The Shop

SPYGUY
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USA
2/17/2021 5:39pm
I had a little over 200 hours on my last shock (it was a practice bike that I racked up the hours on). Took it to FC to get rebuilt and they said everything was in surprisingly good condition for the time that was on it.
Leeham
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Rochester, WA, USA
2/19/2021 10:48am
New fluid drastically changes the feel after 40 hours have been put on the suspension. Refreshed my forks on my Honda, forks felt awesome after just new oil. Smoother action at low and high speed impacts.
3
Motofinne
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FI
2/19/2021 11:16am
Fork around 20h and shock around 30h. Earlier than that if the suspension starts leaking, usually after a mud race.
HackMan162
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Austin, TX, USA
2/19/2021 11:27am
20 hours max for me. Generally, more like 10-15.
1
J-Mill
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Cottonwood, CA, USA
2/19/2021 7:39pm
Does the majority send it in for service or DIY?
Coughlin639
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Clayton, NY, USA
2/20/2021 2:52am
I've always done my own fluid changes and service. I just did fork seals and bushings in my 18' RM-Z 450 last week with 26 hours on it, however I did not do the rear shock. I don't have the tools required to disassemble the BFRC shock so I'll just wait till that's got 40 hours or so then send it off
LKHill
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USA
2/20/2021 5:10am
My oil is done around 20 hours. @ 25 performance suffers big.
1
spimx
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Port Isabel, TX, USA
2/20/2021 8:00am
New fork oil seals and bushings all the time because I blow the fork seals a lot. The bike feels best with new rebuilt forks. I do the work myself because I can't wait for shipping. The shock is a pain in the ass to find nitrogen.
murph783
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USA
2/20/2021 9:31am
After 5-10 the first time, 20-30 hours after that
adam8781
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CA
2/23/2021 8:04pm
20-40 depends on the rider and speed, an old man riding behind his kids on a trail ride would be 40 hour guy. mx or wet terrain riding would be the 20hr mark.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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Portland/Los Angeles, CA, USA
2/24/2021 3:34pm
I used to do everything at 25. But now go to 40-50 hours.
2
1/16/2025 8:41am

I'm thinking about tackling it myself, going to do just fluid on the forks and not do seals because I haven't had a problem with them yet. I'm right at 40 hours as a C class rider. I hope it goes somewhat smoothly.

1/16/2025 9:12am
Lentz197 wrote:
I'm thinking about tackling it myself, going to do just fluid on the forks and not do seals because I haven't had a problem with them...

I'm thinking about tackling it myself, going to do just fluid on the forks and not do seals because I haven't had a problem with them yet. I'm right at 40 hours as a C class rider. I hope it goes somewhat smoothly.

Buy the proper tools, watch a few videos, have a clean, open work space and get after it. Forks are too damn easy. 

2
skyrebel88
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New Fairfield, CT, USA
1/16/2025 9:53am

50hrs. I do the forks myself and do the seals only as necessary. The shocks I send out for new seals and fluid as they are impossible to do now with the needle to pressurize it and setting the piston height on the wps. 

1/16/2025 10:16am
skyrebel88 wrote:
50hrs. I do the forks myself and do the seals only as necessary. The shocks I send out for new seals and fluid as they are...

50hrs. I do the forks myself and do the seals only as necessary. The shocks I send out for new seals and fluid as they are impossible to do now with the needle to pressurize it and setting the piston height on the wps. 

Spend the $150 and convert the shock to a tradiational bladder and service it yourself. 

1/16/2025 12:30pm

Feels like all I ever do is spend money on suspension.. so like all the time

sandman768
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Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
1/16/2025 12:59pm

Like most 25-30hrs for best performance…I just went almost 50hrs on my stock 24 350 shock, I usually have stock components serviced around 20hrs as I always heard the stock fluids are lower quality? I used to do my own stuff or have my buddy do it for me but seems like we were constantly buying new suspension tools, at least for the forks… I have used  Factory Connection for 20 years, they have a support truck that goes to most New England races and their support technician is a great guy that gets it done same day…while the suspension is out, the linkage, swingarm and steer bearings get serviced…. Good times…👍

1/16/2025 6:00pm

20 hours front and rear 

1/16/2025 6:25pm Edited Date/Time 1/16/2025 6:26pm

IMO if one needs servicing more than the other I would say the fork oil would be safe to go double the life of shock oil. If you don’t believe me touch your shock reservoir after a Moto, WP shock bodies will get absolutely smoked in no time if you slack on servicing it. 

1
walent215
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Ridgecrest, CA, USA
1/17/2025 3:56am
skyrebel88 wrote:
50hrs. I do the forks myself and do the seals only as necessary. The shocks I send out for new seals and fluid as they are...

50hrs. I do the forks myself and do the seals only as necessary. The shocks I send out for new seals and fluid as they are impossible to do now with the needle to pressurize it and setting the piston height on the wps. 

Rickyisms wrote:

Spend the $150 and convert the shock to a tradiational bladder and service it yourself. 

Is it a simple diy conversion on this shock ?

I’ve done a few kyb/ showa shocks which are quite simple but never a WP. 

1/17/2025 5:48am

Once a year for new oil and replace worn parts, so probably 25-30 hours. I drop my suspension off at the local Race-Tech tuner. I don't have the skills/knowledge for suspension. 

FGR01
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USA
Fantasy
1/17/2025 6:26am
walent215 wrote:

Is it a simple diy conversion on this shock ?

I’ve done a few kyb/ showa shocks which are quite simple but never a WP. 

This video covers the 16-22 bikes.  23-25 are similar, but a little different.

The main things are you need a vice, a propane or MAP torch, and either a strap wrench, special tool, or pin spanner to spin the old can off.  I've done quite a few of them.  WP varies a lot on their loctite use.  On some I got them loose with just a good, big strap wrench.  On others I used the special tool and the can was almost crumpling because the loctite was so strong (and yes I had it hot enough!).  I ended up using two hands and both the tool and a strap wrench to get it off without damage.   You also need to be careful not to heat it too much and cook the oring if you intend to reuse it.  Another tip, remove the sticker from the can and clean well before heating it up.  That will give a strap wrench better grip on the can.

 

3
walent215
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Ridgecrest, CA, USA
1/17/2025 6:38am
walent215 wrote:

Is it a simple diy conversion on this shock ?

I’ve done a few kyb/ showa shocks which are quite simple but never a WP. 

FGR01 wrote:
This video covers the 16-22 bikes.  23-25 are similar, but a little different.The main things are you need a vice, a propane or MAP torch, and...

This video covers the 16-22 bikes.  23-25 are similar, but a little different.

The main things are you need a vice, a propane or MAP torch, and either a strap wrench, special tool, or pin spanner to spin the old can off.  I've done quite a few of them.  WP varies a lot on their loctite use.  On some I got them loose with just a good, big strap wrench.  On others I used the special tool and the can was almost crumpling because the loctite was so strong (and yes I had it hot enough!).  I ended up using two hands and both the tool and a strap wrench to get it off without damage.   You also need to be careful not to heat it too much and cook the oring if you intend to reuse it.  Another tip, remove the sticker from the can and clean well before heating it up.  That will give a strap wrench better grip on the can.

 

Appreciate that !

Thank you 

After a quick read it seems there are mixed reviews on the bladder conversion being a good option . If you don’t mind sharing what your experience has been I’d appreciate it !

I have a family member with a 21 TC 125 with a “ broke” shock … LOL…

I’m sure it just needs a rebuild but that was the description I was given . 
Thanks again , much appreciated .

FGR01
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USA
Fantasy
1/17/2025 7:28am
walent215 wrote:
Appreciate that !Thank you After a quick read it seems there are mixed reviews on the bladder conversion being a good option . If you don’t mind...

Appreciate that !

Thank you 

After a quick read it seems there are mixed reviews on the bladder conversion being a good option . If you don’t mind sharing what your experience has been I’d appreciate it !

I have a family member with a 21 TC 125 with a “ broke” shock … LOL…

I’m sure it just needs a rebuild but that was the description I was given . 
Thanks again , much appreciated .

As far as performance, you may notice the shock being a hair more supple on chop, but it is definitely not a huge game changer.  As far as ease of maintenance, it is a no brainer.  I replace all mine with a bladder kit on the first rebuild so that every other rebuild will be so much easier.  Don't need the special WP nitrogen filling tool (which is hundreds of dollars, more than the bladder kit), don't need to set the piston height, don't need a vacuum bleeder, etc etc.   One of my bikes I've done this on is also a 21 TC125.

2/5/2025 7:08am

So I did the task of changing out the oil in my forks and it actually went pretty well thankfully. While assembling the bike I went to set my comp/rebound clickers and I had found that one of the forks was set to the "hardest" rebound setting. May be a dumb question but could this have screwed up the rebuild? will I have to rebuild that fork again?? surely not right??

2/5/2025 11:05am

I also want to add that the rebound clicker works just fine it is not stuck 

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