Where to get my forks refreshed? Recommendations?

Mr.Azim

Mr.Azim

Well-known member
2006 R6 needs fork oil refresh.... seals aren't leaking, but wouldn't mind changing while it's opened up.

Got a quote from one local shop: 2.5 hrs @ $90/hr + parts.... time seems a little excessive considering I'm bringing the forks off the bike.

Correct me if I'm under valuing the work.
 
Last edited:
I charge an hour and a half per leg it takes a while to break them down thoroughly clean, install new parts and reassemble. Just does.
Learn how to do it. Mot brain surgury.
 
PM"d.

2.5 HOURS is not bad - depends what you want done. Just oil changed - that will take less time. But if you need a whole the rebuild its a process. Im not saying it can't be done in an hour is possible - but the chances for error increases.

Do you want your system bled out properly? Or just a poor job on the bleeding front?
Do you want your preload / compression / rebound setting recorded and set it back to the way it was or not?
There are a few more other internal adjustments that need to be recorded and set back to the same factory height / space - if not they will not work as intended.....did you want that done as well?

Do you care if your fork caps are scratched? or no?
Do you care if your fork legs are scratched or not?

Do you want the tech to be careful and take extra time not to nick your leg or fork seal? (not like you'd know, it will cause issues down the line after a few months)

Do you care if the internal tube when being compressed is mangled or not? (again, you woulnd't know until you rebuild it again)

Do you want your forks to be bled out and oil height set to factory or to your spec? or not?

There are ton of little things / big things / things have to be done properly to rebuild a set of forks properly.....
 
Race bike? Get Brad Clarke (a.k.a. Compulsion Racing) to do it. He might have some thoughts on what else to do while they are apart anyways.

USD forks are a pain to deal with, and it's easily an hour or two per side.
 
2.5 hours is a load of ****.....Shops charging stupid rates for fork seal and oil changes is the exact reason I started doing my own.....I can do my forks in 30min for both....Forks I haven't done before 45min to an hour max!

PM me if your interested....I will do it for less then half of what that shop quoted you....You supply the oil and seals...
 
Sharrard does all my work. Helps that he's at bogie though, so it may not be convenient for you if you don't make it east of the city.
 
JohnnyP636 said:
2.5 hours is a load of ****.....Shops charging stupid rates for fork seal and oil changes is the exact reason I started doing my own.....I can do my forks in 30min for both....Forks I haven't done before 45min to an hour max!

PM me if your interested....I will do it for less then half of what that shop quoted you....You supply the oil and seals...
Click to expand...

Bullshitttttt you are not tearing down a set. thoroughly cleaning installing seal and bushings and reassembling in 30 min. Thats the problem in this business people throw crap oy there and others just buy in. All shops are 1- 1,5 hrs but Johnny can magically do it in 30 min. Right!
 
kneedragger88 said:
Bullshitttttt you are not tearing down a set. thoroughly cleaning installing seal and bushings and reassembling in 30 min. Thats the problem in this business people throw crap oy there and others just buy in. All shops are 1- 1,5 hrs but Johnny can magically do it in 30 min. Right!
Click to expand...

Want to make a bet? I said my forks, which I have done about 50 times.. Off the bike I can do 2 03-06 636 forks in 30min...

And who really cares how long it takes me if I charged less then half of a shop but did the same job....Im not talking about race tuning forks, simple seal and fluid swap...Do it all the time for myself, friends, and anyone else that wants me too...

Ive paid $250 + many times before I bought the tools and starting doing them myself, and realized $250+ is a rip off if you are mechanically inclined enough to do it yourself......

The problem with this business is some shops have set rates that are just too damn high...You said it yourself "all shops are 1-1.5 hours" yet this guy was quoted 2.5, a full hour more...At $90 an hour thats a pretty big difference IMO
 
Last edited:
Mina said:
Quick question, how often should this service be done?
Click to expand...

Seals generally when they leak, or show signs of wear like cracking or the rubber drying out.
Manufactures dont normally list a service interval for the fork oil in the service manual, they only say to check for leaks and smooth operation usually around 12,000, 20,000 etc etc...
Personally I find that on a new bike the oil degrades and collects a lot of wear particles in the first year, as the forks break in and shed a lot of particles internally...Usually when I take forks apart the oil is black and milky. Or if you are good enough to feel a decrease in performance...

It really depends on what level of performance you expect, and how anal you are about maintenance. Some people own bikes for 5+ years and never change their fork oil or brake fluid....And others change them every year or so. A racer or track junkie would probably change it much more often, compared to an average street rider who would only do it when their seals leak...Where as a racer or track guy would want the best performance as possible and change it frequently...

For example I usually bleed my brakes 2 times a season or more, when I did track I saw a pro bleed his brakes after almost every session...
 
Last edited:
Brian P said:
Race bike? Get Brad Clarke (a.k.a. Compulsion Racing) to do it. He might have some thoughts on what else to do while they are apart anyways.

USD forks are a pain to deal with, and it's easily an hour or two per side.
Click to expand...

I tried him... he said he doesn't do that anymore *shrug*
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom