Every 10,000–15,000 miles or 2 years
Service Interval
2–3 hours
Estimated Time
$84
DIY Cost
$218
Shop Cost
Difficulty: Hard

Overview

The 2023 Kawasaki Z900 requires fork oil change every 10,000–15,000 miles or 2 years. Regular fork oil maintenance extends engine life and maintains peak performance. This guide covers the complete procedure for both DIY mechanics and those seeking shop estimates.

⚠️ Important: Inspect fork seals while changing oil. Leaking seals must be replaced. Incorrect oil level causes poor handling.

Tools Needed

🔧 Fork oil level gauge 🔧 Circlip pliers 🔧 Socket set 🔧 Measuring cylinder 🔧 Drain pan 🔧 Paddock stand

Supplies Needed

📦 Fork oil (correct weight per manual) 📦 Fork seals (replace if leaking) 📦 Dust seals 📦 Rags 📦 Contact cleaner

Step-by-Step Procedure

  1. 1
    Elevate the front wheel off the ground using a paddock stand or front stand.
  2. 2
    Loosen (don't remove) the fork cap bolts before dropping the forks.
  3. 3
    Loosen the triple tree clamps and drop the forks down through the clamps.
  4. 4
    Remove the fork cap and carefully extract the spring (compressed internally).
  5. 5
    Pour the old fork oil into a drain pan. Pump the fork tube several times to extract remaining oil.
  6. 6
    Inspect the fork seals — replace if cracked, deformed, or leaking.
  7. 7
    Measure fresh fork oil in a graduated cylinder (per manufacturer spec — typically 400–500ml per leg).
  8. 8
    Pour measured oil into each fork leg.
  9. 9
    Reinstall the spring (with spring tension side facing down), fork cap, and torque to spec.
  10. 10
    Reinstall forks in triple clamps at the correct height. Torque all clamp bolts to spec.
  11. 11
    Test suspension action and verify fork does not stick or leak.

💰 Cost Breakdown

Fork oil (1 liter) $15–35
Fork seals (pair, if replacing) $20–60
DIY Total $35–95
Shop labor (2.5 hr) $100–200
Shop Total $135–295