So what is the call on this one? I have heard that it is supposed to be done - but see no reference in the manual to do it.

I have noticed a little unevenness to the travel in the forks and am wondering what to do about it.

Thanks,
- Sean

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What do you mean by "unevenness?" One has a greater travel than the other? Exactly how did you notice this "unevenness?" As for the air pressure that gets built up in the forks, put it on a stand to get the front wheel off the ground, then loosen the two bleeder screws in the top of the forks until the hissing stops. Then screw them back in.

Steve

Thanks I'll do that. I assume these are the screws off center on top of the forks?

The unevenness I am talking about is maybe best described as a point of stiction 2 or so inches into the travel as I am standing next to it pushing down on the handlebars with the front brake applied. Physically, it looks fine - no marks on the legs. The front has never taken a major hit - I don't think the legs are bent.

I should probably change the oil in there by now or at least have checked the level - but I have not. The list of the things I should do would get in the way of me actually riding

- Sean

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yes, these are the small, off-center, flathead screws on the top of the forks.
I have NEVER noticed a difference in the forks from bleeding this air off, but I am sure it is better for the seals and such to have less pressure inside the fork. That said..I do bleed mine off quite frequently.

As for the stiction, do you notice this when riding? If you do, are you sure it's not a problem with your forks binding due to incorrect front wheel/fork installation? Also, the floating front rotor will sometimes make a noise, or give a millisecond of what feels like resistance when you just press the front end up and down by hand. Sometimes my forks seem to do funky stuff when just pressing down on them....sometimes it's all in my mind. Check for any clicking or grinding while doing this also, that's a good sign that you need to tighten up the headset.

As for the fork oil change, I am not sure what the other people recommend, but I just changed mine this past Saturday. I have ridden my 250f for the past 8 months with weekly bottoming on the track...and I was very surprised to see how well the stock fork oil held up. It was slightly broken down with a few shiny slivers here and there, but overall.....it was in good shape and could have lasted much longer. I went ahead and pumped out every drop I could. I got out on the track Sunday, and my forks felt exactly the same except I noticed that they didn't bottom as easily because I increased the oil level.

Steve

I changed my fork oil when I had about 375 miles (woods, not mx) on the bike, I could have waited longer - it was in good shape.
-Brett

BOS
The same thing happened to me when i changed my fork oil last week. I noticed stiction and the forks felt a little stiffer. This is how i fixed the problem. I put the bike on a stand and bleed the air out. Then I turned the compression clickers all the way in and out twice. Then from all the way in i counted out to were i thought i was before oil change. I'm not sure why, but maybe the clickers were not even or something. I also rode the bike twice so it just might have needed to be "broken in" again. It worked. Also, double check the torque on the triple clamp bolts. If the triple clamp bolts are to tight it might cause slight stiction or binding. hope it helps