As good a deal as I think it is?
 

Hey guys, wondering if you guys could offer some input. I'm looking at 2008 EX 8 in town. Looks to be in great condition, upgraded to XT all around, and Juicy 5s, couple other odds and ends. Neither the fork or rear shock have been rebuilt, are they due? I'm down to do it myself, I do all the custom work on my truck so I feel I can rebuild them. He's asking $900...good deal? From what I've seen lately, and I've been looking at everything within 400 miles of me, this looks to be a pretty good deal. It'll be my first FS, used mainly on single tracks and wooded areas...no mountains in Indiana! Thanks for any input.

The fork/shock are far overdue for service. For example, Fox recommends a bath oil service every 30hrs riding time for their forks -- damper service every 100hrs. For the rear shock, aircan service every 30hrs and damper service every 100hrs. That said, generally people find the service intervals are on the extreme side -- I service my forks about twice a year and send my shock for damper service every other year.

Even if the fork/shock should have been serviced years ago, if the bike has not been used much, then it's a good bet that the internal components are in fine shape. Cycle through the settings on the fork and rear shock -- check rebound, compression, and lockout. Check around the outer seals on the fork/shock for excess oil. A fork with proper oil in it should leave a ring on the stanchion when compressed, but if you have pooling around the wiper lip of any sort, that's a good indication the seals are worn.

The fork should be fairly simple if you're handy. Fox puts out very comprehensive manuals on all their forks. Rear shock service is a bit of different situation with Fox, since they do not provide damper service info -- though you can easily get an aircan rebuild kit and at least do that part yourself. Servicing the damper itself requires access to nitrogen. The RP can be converted to take air in the damper, instead of N, so then you could charge the damper with a standard shock pump. I haven't done this myself yet, but there's info out there if you are so inclined. The only rear shock dampers I've serviced have been Rockshox, since they put the service info out there and the dampers come ready to pump with a shock pump(with a specialty adapter).

Thanks guys. [MENTION=65684]cobba[/MENTION], I never knew there was a Blue book for bikes. I've googled and googled about the Trek and that site never came up. Looks like it's right on the money.
[MENTION=224313]ncfisherman[/MENTION], thanks for the info on the forks and shocks. I actually found the instructions Fox put out for servicing the fork, definitely some thing I can do. I routinely work on my truck, have even changed the suspension and steering components a few time, so this shouldn't be too bad. I'll take a closer look at the rear shock...I have a buddy that works at a tire shop and they use nitrogen in car tires, wonder if I can get some from him when the time comes.

Hopefully it works out with this bike...

Might not have the hardware/fittings/etc. to recharge it. But take heart - - a good many moto shops are equipped to recharge shocks.

Refreshing to see someone else not afraid to tackle some heavy 'tinkering.' :thumb:

Moto shop is going to be your best bet for charging the damper with N. Eventually, I'm going to find a schrader valve to plug in my old rp23 -- just got a new frame with CTD shock, so it will probably be a while. I figure that is your best bet if you want to service your shock damper. Fox uses a rubber pellet in the nitro port and a needle to charge the damper.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=362201

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=362202

Good info here: http://huckingkitty.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=688

Including a link to get a schrader valve that fits.

And more...http://huckingkitty.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=705

Awesome info guys. Ya, I'm always down for fixing things myself, at least once. Then I can determine if the money savings are worth my time and effort. Lucky for me, I live in the "racing capital of the world" and moto shops are a dime a dozen around here. I'll definitely read up on those links you posted.