Mountain Biking - Front suspension fork maintenance

What do I need to do to keep my shock in good working order? It's a Manitou Six (2004) and I have been told that there are no injection ports on it. Do I just need to keep the risers greased? What should I use?

Thanks!

First, let me help with your terminology.

The bottom portion where your wheel attaches, is painted and has the reverse arch that connects the two sides is called your "Sliders".

The sliders, slide on the "Stanctions" the smooth metal thingies.

The insides of the stanctions are your "internals" and depending on your model will have a variety of stuff in them. Damping cartridges, compression cartridges, springs, oil, air...etc.

The stanctions connect to the "crown". Most forks nowadays have the stanctions pressed fit into the crown.

The single tube going out the top of the crown that goes through the frame and is held together by the stem is called the "Steerer Tube".

The Sliders slide on the stanctions are have rubber seals on them. It's a good idea to lightly lube these rubber seals. Any lightweight lube will work. Tri-Flow or Pedro's Dry lube, or even that household 3-in-1 stuff. Just a little. You just want to keep the seals moistened.

Again depending on your model, you may have an oil fork. You would have to remove the top caps on either side of the fork crown to inspect. But that's another story!

I didn't have my Manitou Sax long enough to have to work on it :( It snapped on me :(

But HERE (http://www.answerproducts.com/manuals/answermanitou/forks/Year/2004/04six_eng.pdf?cvar1=6%2F16%2F2005+12%3A06%3A12+PM) is the user manula for it (if you dont already have it) it suggests what do to and when.

How'd it snap? Or should I say, where on the fork? That's not a good thing to hear!

Thanks for the link though, and the terminology! I had a feeling I was using the wrong terms . . . . now I won't look like an idiot when I talk to people (well, not quite as big of an idiot anyway)

The part about the light lubricant on the sliders and stantions is what I was looking for. Thanks!

I'm not sure if this applies but for my low end RST Gila T5, if I apply a medium-high amount of lube once in a while on the stanctions, and compress the fork five or so times and then leave it overnight for the next few days the fork works superbly well. Need to apply liberal amounts of lube though. :p