Basic Maintenance for Your Tern Bike’s Suspension Fork

Regular cleaning and lubrication help keep your suspension fork working smoothly and reduce wear on the seals and stanchions. Dirt and moisture can build up on the fork, especially in wet and dusty conditions, and road salt or spray can lead to corrosion. Keeping the fork clean and properly lubricated helps prevent premature wear and avoid costly repairs or replacement. Follow the steps below to carry out basic maintenance on your Tern bike’s suspension fork.

Tern bikes that are equipped with suspension forks include the GSD and HSD.

Step 1: Inspect your suspension fork

Inspect the fork before performing any maintenance. If you notice any cracks or structural damage, do not ride the bike. Instead, bring the bike to your nearest authorized Tern dealer for inspection and repair.

Step 2: Clean your suspension fork

Wipe down your fork’s stanchions using a soft, dry cloth to remove any visible dust, mud, and road grime.

Step 3: Lubricate your suspension fork

1. Apply some suspension fork lubricant around each stanchion, just above the dust seals. Use only lubricants intended for suspension forks. Avoid incompatible oils to prevent damaging the dust seals.

2. Check your suspension lockout. Your Tern bike’s suspension fork has a lockout dial on top of the stanchion. If the suspension is locked, turn the dial to unlock it. Otherwise, the fork will not compress when you push down on the handlebars.

3. Stand on either side of the bike and push down on the handlebars about 10 times. This spreads the lubricant along the stanchions and helps bring trapped dust out from the seals.

4. Use a clean cloth to wipe away any excess lubricant so it does not attract dirt. All done!

Check how often you need to clean your suspension fork

Basic cleaning and lubrication take only a few minutes and help your suspension fork work smoothly, but it also needs a full service from time to time. Your nearest Tern dealer can help you disassemble the fork, inspect internal components, and replace worn parts, such as the dust seals. To find out how often to tune up your bike, browse our Tern Bike Maintenance Schedule.

For more essential e-bike maintenance tips, check out the Maintenance section of our Complete Guide to E-Bikes.