Quote:

With winter upon us here I have been putting together a list of things I need to do to the bike. I don't want her to get lonely over the winter.

So we have a 2005 America that I bought in 2015 and I am betting the brake fluid and the fork oil has never been changed.

I know there are plenty of threads on the site about doing this stuff, but figured it would be easier to start a thread to hit the highlights and any suggestions you all may have.

If I am going to take the forks off to change the oil do I upgrade the springs? Are there any seals I should replace?

Same with the brakes. If I am replacing the fluids are there any seals I should replace?

Please give me your sage advise.


If the seals are leaking, change them, but also try to ascertain if the seals wore out from worn surfaces/bushings/bearings, out of spec conditions, etc. which cause premature seal wear. Rubber seals do deteriorate over time, and specially the number of heat cycles endured affects that. But if your original seals are still holding up, change them now or wait until next winter, you should be fine. Fork oil is most effectively changed by pulling the forks, drain over night, then cycle clean diesel in each one, running the stick through its travel while half full, let them drip over night, re install and add your new oil. Ricors are definitely worth the money, no more excessive fork dive and better stability if you run over FOD (foreign objects & debris) on the road surface. Yes, it's time to change the brake fluid.