When I first get on my GasGas and drop my knees, compressing the forks, they resist and feel 'sticky'. Once they compress once or twice they feel fine. Is this normal or could it indicate some maintenance in my future?

it could be your cold weather messing with the 5w oil in the forks?

FESTER said:

Except for the fact that I have been spending the winter learning balance and such inside my shop @ 65 degrees.
When you walk up to your bike, grab the front brake, compress the forks, is the first few compressions less smooth(significantly) than normal?

I would loosen all the mounting bolts holding the forks and also the front axle.
Then retorque them. I once hit a very large bump with my TXT280 and the forks stuck down compressed! Then when I started to take the forks off the bike they extended on there own.
Good Luck!

yeah that could be .there actually is a drill for that process,a certain sequence for front axle alignment and triple clamp adjustment that i would like to know.

Treesmacker said:

Yes, it's been a long time but I remember doing that.
The sequence is prop the bike up and really loosen all of the pinch bolts except the top ones at the top triple clamp. Be sure to include the fork brace / front fender mount and the axle pinch bolts. See if the steering head bearings turn freely but with no play. If not, loosen the top triple clamp main nut, re-grease the head bearings and adjust the bearing play with the top nut until the bearing play just disappears.

Take the bike support away, hold the front brake and pump the suspension up and down while holding the front brake, then tighten all bolts snug. Be careful not to strip the small axle pinch bolts. Check the feel of the suspension and alignment and then finish tightening all bolts.

With the axle pinch bolts loose, back off the threaded axle to release any pressure on the front wheel bearings and then slowly tighten the axle until the slop in the front bearings just disappears. Don't bind the wheel bearings, they should spin freely with no drag on the bearings but with no side to side play.

This is the way I do it, but I'm not sure that it's the only or best way. Add your two cents if you've heard of a different way or know of some step to add. I'm listening. :thumbsup:

thanks 2-ply my son races mx and everytime he wrecks the forks tweak one way or the other, i think this sequence will help