KDXRIDER.NET

Me again - working to bring a 1986 KDX200 back to life.

Planned to change the fork oil - when I drained the oil and removed the cap, I expected the bike to settle. It didn't budge. I removed the fork tubes from the triple and the left fork moves freely by hand. The right fork was bound in the extended position which I ultimately freed with significant hand pressure.

I have cycled several times fresh 5w through the binding fork and its loosening up, but not near as free moving as the left fork. I.e, after extending the left fork and releasing it, it will compress under it's own weight. The right fork stays extended and will only compress with hand pressure.

Both forks' seals seam in good shape and both forks had about the same amount of oil in them when I drained them. Tubes look perfect and I don't see any trauma on either fork bottom that might suggest the fork is bent.

Have any of you guys seen this, and if so, what's the fix if anything?

Thanks for your help with this.

Hi. I would want to disassemble it, to inspect the bushings and wear on the inside of the tubes.

I would assume it is bent or has internal damage.

I agree

Yep, disassemble and inspect, something is binding.

Hi All -

You guys were right - something was binding. The picture below is the external damage to the lower leg, which I underestimated:



Here is what it looked like inside the tube:



And here is the bushing:



I ended up finding a good used set on eBay for $50 - I'm good to go now.

Thanks for your help.

WOW! THAT BUSHING!

Thanks for following up on what it turned out to be.

That’s wild.