front fork bushings on a GL1800

[raygald]

What are the maintenance schedule for fork bushings?
How to check if they are OK or have to be replaced?

[wingpilot08]

What are the maintenance schedule for fork bushings?
How to check if they are OK or have to be replaced?

The only way to really tell if the fork bushings need replacement is by visual inspection. I replaced mine on both forks on a 2008 with 25,000 miles, but because of a failed for seal.

As per the shop manual:
"Visually inspect the guide and fork tube bushings.
Replace the bushings if there is excessive scoring or
scratching, or if the teflon is worn so that the copper
surface appears on more than 3/4 of the entire
surface."

[Steve F]

I just had the forks rebuilt at over 75K miles and the sliders were just starting to show signs of wear on the Teflon surfaces, and that was only one of the sliders. I bought the bike used with only 15k on the odo and I seriously doubt the dealer where I bought it from did anything to the forks before I bought it, and they wouldn't tell me anything about it's previous life ( they knew the original owner obviously but they can't divulge that info). I'm going to assume that that was the first time they were rebuilt. However, I had a different dealer do the work, and unfortunately in order to inspect, you have to tear it apart. I don't know of any testing you can do to determine if the sliders and bushings are still ok.
I personally think at the very minimum getting the fork oil changed every 20k miles. Your mileage may vary.