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You know, you are one of the most environmentally friendly you tubers ever. I respect how you save bikes from the scrapheap.

I just got this exact same bike used with the same fork seized up. Talk about a perfect find of a video.

The bike shops are all booked solid these days and I was quite intimidated to work on my daughter's bike's jammed forks. Watched video, and am now certified hero. Thank you.

That was brilliant. So good to watch someone overcome real life problems in DIY. Thankyou.

When you take your loved old bike to repair and the guy of the bike shop says: "Get a new one, that's impossible to fix". And you awnser: "I know a youtube channel...."

I am a "bike guy". I have been fixing and maintaining my bikes since my first Iverson cruiser and Schwinn stingray in 1969. I have always wanted to teach my "tricks" to fix bikes to people. You have managed to do what I always wished I could do.. I am also a "fixer" of all things in the home. Like you, I believe you can fix anything if you have the desire and use all of your "smarts" of mechanical skills to solve problems...!!! BRAVO my friend!

You definitely have a love for repairing things. I can appreciate the detail and step by step on how to repair these! Much success to you my friend! Looking at my forks now. Hope they don't drip with water from them! lol

I like the shocks with the socks, they work better than people think they are, I have some rst 60mm on my mongoose pro dx 3.5 and the socks saved it from dirt and rust

Nice to see an instructional that actually deals with one of those stupid awkward jobs that are normally edited away. I find all these simple jobs have a tendency to develop into major time eating nightmares that leave you wondering if it's even worth doing on a £50 set of forks. Another good trick for removing rust from the shiny bits is to use Cola and tinfoil. Works like magic

I have a job to do like that on one of my grandson’s bike , never done a fork job before but the video is informative and l know what’s to expect when l do the strip down . I ‘m and old mechanic from the 50’s to which l was a top guy , but with these later bikes l find l am still learning all new things . I went on to be a motorcycle mechanic and then furthered my knowledge as a vehicle mechanic in the forces . I love your videos 👍

I got an old Diamondback here in Kuwait with seized RST's. This video is IT! Gonna get them unstuck and cleaned up! Great video.

RJ is the Bob Ross of bike repair.

Thank you RJ for the very helpful video. Instead of Scotch Brite, I typically use Brillo pads which are steel wool impregnated with de-greasing soap. For corrosion, I also use a wire brush attachment to a hand drill sometimes. For vinegar, I use instead Evapo Rust, from Tractor Supply, which is easier on the hands compared to the acetic acid in the vinegar. Hope this is helpful for the community. Regards, Colin

very informative video.... I remember when I was in 7th or 8th grade I used to steal little containers of grease from my teachers that they used on slide projectors. I always used the grease on my headset, and I used to charge my friends $1.50 to grease the bearings in their bottom bracket. I was a bad kid haha...good times!

This seems to be the exact front fork I have on my 2007 trek 4300. Awesome, great resource. Currently 3d printing the wrench to remove the upper plastic caps.

time an time again i keep coming back to your videos for bike repairs, you are the best rj

I've got a different brand of forks than these, that are seized, but I'm pretty sure that after watching this video, I'll now be able to get them working again, so many thanks for the time you took to make this video. It was very detailed and informative.

Standing Ovation and Hats off to you RJ!!! I couldn't take my eyes off this video...

Your video was nearly 100% helpful. My suspension fork was not frozen by any means, but just wasn't riding right. It wasn't as "complex" as yours. After watching your video (and memorizing as much as I could), I took mine apart and discovered that it was filthy and was "storing" a little water. I cleaned and lubed everything as you showed and now it works good. Thank you.

I've found rubbing aluminum foil on to the stancheons with some wd40 a good way to remove some corrosion. Plus a little scotch bright pad or fine sand paper

Another great video, great stepby step instructions easy and a pleasure to follow and understand. You sir are a great problem solver,most people wouldve gave up and ignored the for sale sign on the bike in the first place but as always you know how to be kind to the environment and extend the life of a neglected old bike, much kudos to you and please keep up all the great work.

Thanks for very informative video. I just serviced similar Gila T5 of my 2005 Nishiki Bushwhacker I've converted into commuter e-bike with beefy road tyres. The bolts on the lowers were just turning and turning. The only way I was able to get them out was to hold the rod steady from inside the stanchions with 5mm allen socket attached to socket driver with couple of extensions that I happened to have. I could barely reach the rod from above and finally got the bolts apart. There was quite a bit of rust also in my forks and stanchions had rusty stains, I bet they haven't been serviced ever. Got it quite good for with it is with lot of cleaning and good greasing. Did also use a fine grit sandpaper to smooth the stanchions. Mine didn't have any elastomers inside the spring coils. So, these are quite like pogo-sticks without any dampening. Let's see how comfortable they are on curbs and other rough spots. I'm not using this as MTB anyways.

You sir are a genius, brilliant...was a lot more work than I was expecting, but I loved your patience and perseverance!!!

oh man I love this kind of RAW videos where they really struggle and come up with all sorts of ideas how to make it through... perfect for DiY'ers like me SALUTE Sir!!!

My RST Gila fork was also rusted and stuck. Because of your outstanding video I succeeded in repairing my fork! Keep up the good work👍👍

thanks a million RJ, this is going to help a lot with the restoration of my 2010 giant rock

I found a really good deal on a Trek 4300 this morning and passed on it because it's shocks were frozen. Going back tomorrow. Thank you RJ!

Great video, good for every one to see the perseverance needed to fix anything properly. Most people would of given up and bought new ones. Thumbs up from me dude.

You might ant to think about going with a magnetic pickup tool to retrieve future springs at he bottom of upper tubes. It'd be a little quicker. Most auto parts store will have at least two sizes. A shotgun bore brush might help clean the insides of the tubes too. That was an impressive technique you used to guide the bolts with wire into the lower tubes.

I have to say, you are about the only guy who bothers to repair these kind of forks. Most just toss them. I take it you have a good business in fixing up bikes and selling them for a profit. I just don't know if I would have your patience,lol. Its really good to see someone fixing these up as now folks have somewhere to go if they choose to fix their bike, and it saves bikes from going to the dump. I have seen some nice bikes just get tossed over the most trivial things.

Just picked up the exact frame and fork for $10 and the fork was ceased. Perfect video at the perfect time! Thank you!

5:57 you know it's bad when even rj sighs about it

I fixed everything else on this bike I saved from scrap, but after watching this think I'll just leave the fork seized 😂 this is quite intensive

Very helpful, I have a cube team 260 made in 2012. Its a jr series and only has a spring on one side, but boy was your video inspiring enough to get me to dig in and got those forks working. Thanks

This video is gold! Have a pair of bikes, Trek 2005 3700 and a 2005 Gary Fischer, both have surface rust on the pistons but work fine. Still want to take them apart and clean and lube them up, 11 years old, it's time! Need a pair of top boots, mine are dried and split. Both bikes are in great shape overall except for the fork pistons. Thanks to this video there's no guess work now when I take these apart. I purchased these bikes new and had them in storage for a few years, should have packed them in grease, Florida is the rust capitol of the country. Thanks for this video, looks like a fun job.

Definitely the best bike sizing video I’ve seen... thanks guys

Its Fun to watch this in 2023

7 years old but still great advice and guidance. Now to get my shocks 'unfrozen!'

thanks you for this video. i just got an old mtb with this suspension and this will be very useful knowledge in future when i take it apart.

Foot shot with grease at the end a nice segway to the finish. Great vid

Best instructional videos on bike repair and overhaul...By far...thanks once again for your videos

I had serious doubts about this video, but you have some skills, RJ. I love renovating old bikes, but I thought these crappy forks were throwaway, and you proved otherwise. Nicely done.

Excellent step-by-step how-to video!

Heeey, exactly what I was looking for. Im cleaning a fork just like that, frozen rusty eeew!! Haha Nicely Done, thanks a lot for the nice Video quality and explanation. SUUUPER.. cheers from the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera✌🙏💪☀🙌

Finally i can repair my old bike, i love my bike since i was a teenager. TANK YOU SO MUCH My fork is A RST GILA T4, very similar

Wow RJ...! These forks were rough but you made it happen...👍 Awesome job as always...👌

I just cant believe how some people treat they bikes. I do restore/fix/rebuilt bikes myself and sometimes there are things you would not beleive . And I am not talking chep bikes here . Great tutorial .

RJ I LOVE your videos and what you can do with any bike. As an inner city kid from The Bronx , New York , I ride A full sus mtb aggressively in the city lol and I come to your videos more often then not just to see you work your magic. Keep on , keeping on.

you are the man, amazing and thank you so much, you have turned me into bike revamping freak, but I don't have a big workshop, I do it in my 3/F roof top glass house, now I am working on an Australian made dual suspension bike with a RST 280 spring fork, I got the bike for HK$199 which is about US$25, all the parts are junk, broken crank set, I have successfully used your method to pull out the drive side and have to cut the other side to remove the crank arm, yet I have to remove and replace everything else, which would be a fun project.

Much more fun to watch the same bikes serviced that we've ridden as well, compared to any dream build on YT. I was sure the fork is kaputt when water started pouring out from the legs... Nice work!

Literally cheered when you finally got that thing out😂

That was sick, That's what I try to do with old bikes but I usually mess them up more! lol

Thank you for this video! I was inquiring recently with the local Trek bike shop about replacing my suspension fork or having it overhauled. They said no to both which makes me believe that their interest is only in selling high dollar new bikes. I have a '06 Trek Multitrack 7500 with an RST fork much like the one in this video. As a matter of fact my fork is in better physical shape, as is the whole bicycle. I looked online and the fork seal kit is available and I will get the slickoleum from Amazon and try my hand at this overhaul. What made me notice that my fork was stiff was that I recently test rode a new electric bike and obviously the new suspension fork worked much easier. I’ve done a lot of DIY maintenance to my Trek and will keep it along with buying my choice of an Aventon Level.2 ebike this summer.

Restoration work of art - well done

thanks, you saved me from a very expensive repair job! Now I can put my forks back together, using that extra long 5 mm hex key.

I am trying to Restore some old bike forks myself. You are definitely are one of the best bike mechanics Ive seen on youtube 👍

i had done most everything except tear apart a shock , dident know where to start even. this video is perfect , i just hope i can get the ancient shocks on a proflex 435 to work again . cant exactly replace them .

Thanks for the video dude! I just repaired and reconditioned my stuck shocks on a GT Avalanche from this vid! :)

Great video, this is going to help me restore my old Cube Aim :)

awesome video. I am just getting in to mountain biking and this is all new.

The first video I have seen of your as such a huge help thank you so much you are a legend

Cool!!! I have the same Forks with the same issues good to know how to repair. Thanks RJ the bike guy.

This was very helpfull as I am getting into mountain biking

RJ your the man - that was just so damned awesome :.)

Man that quite a task as in time consumption but hey beats buying new shocks or second hand ones that may not work as well as a overhaul. Thanks for the video and time !

Great Video. Learned lots of things from it :)

Great video, good tips! Love my 4300 trek beater, great material, just needs some maintenance & you have a great bike :)

Thank you for this video. I just got a Specialized Hotrock in my shop with a seized RST shock. Was trying to decide which way was best to unseize them.

Your home made tools are awesome!!

Thank you very much for this. Bcuz of this I don't have to pay 300box to get may stocked fork fixed. Already liked and subscribe. Thank You. Belated Happy New Year.

I have the plus version of these forks with my specialized mine wore so bad like actually rusted the springs were stuck together with rust but I still managed to restore them and they work like brand new again

really usefull & hes a very versatile chap..Love his videos as if it doesn’t run perfect he doesn’t lose his rag obviously sometimes it is frustrating but he finds a way to problem solve,creative & clever some of little tricks..Like to see him have a workbench they doesnt need to keep bending his back..That can be agony as I know if you doubled over etc..lol great viewing though keep videos coming😳👍

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you

I have to admit, he's doing excellent on the bicycles he's been building for so long.

Thanks to you I can repair my GILA RST fork. Greetings Friend.

Love the video I have a canondale and my fron fork it's frozen too

Really enjoyed this. I will use this as a rough guide restore some mozo pro's.

Last time I rebuilt a stuck fork a friend of mine suggested filling up both sides with transmission fluid, I let them soak overnight and everything came out fairly easy, then I stuck a scotch bright pad on a coat hanger hooked up to a drill to clean out the fork tubes, I use the same scotch bright coat hanger combo on seat tubes

RJ, Thanks for the how to!!! I have this exact 4300 (different color) and thought they were blown b/c no oil...turns out they NEVER HAD ANY! I will freshen them up as you've shown me here and sell the bike. I've been gifted a Trek 4900 w/discs and it's lighter-I'll hit you up on your FB page!-) Thanks again!!!

Very clear and easy to follow instructional video

The slickoleum's worth more than the forks. Good to see I'm not the only one saving these bikes from certain death.

Walaaa.....very good video. Detailed exam ples, easy to follow. Thank you

this was exactly the video I was looking for, and a very common problem for 10-20 year old unserviced mountain bikes sitting in garages that you find at yard sales

You are the best, dude. I really love your vids c:

If I only got the tools, I can follow this. Thumbs up!

Love your videos!! I just started working on an old bike and i must say the most annoying part of it is waiting for new parts and tools to arrive😅 it can just kill the fun sometimes

I've learn a lot of things from you! New I also save every bike I can Thenks to you!!!

Excellent video! I have a used Raleigh Peak that has seized shocks. I want to try unseizing them before buying new ones.

totally lagit RJ keep it up u are THE BICYCLE GUY

Great video I just bought a 2005 trek 4300 on Craigslist for $35.00 I like doing the same thing you do just build bike thought your videos were good

Thanks Really helpfull video. Best Wishes from germany

Well you certainly saved those sorry looking forks. Great job!

Excellent video, very well explained.

thanks for this tutorial, you have teached me a lot, thanks!

thks RJ now i know what to do with rusted fork i have in my garage laying down

Great great video:) fixing your bike is always fun:)

Wow man, love you, I have the same bike. Thanks a lot for the video.

Tq Master. Great video. Now i can solve my bicycle problem.

It is also possible to get the lockring side out by pushing down on the sylinder, shimming something between the bold and the fork, and then holding the sylinder fixed while turning. The extra leverage against the threads does it.