How to upgrade the forks on your Honda Monkey 125! Ohlins Fork Cartridge Kit Install | Step-by-Step

#hondamonkey #monkey125 #motorcycle
This is one of the toughest jobs that I've done on my 2019 Honda Monkey 125, but I also didn't have these instructions! Hope this helps anyone crossing the fork upgrade bridge as this can be a tricky project to tackle. Make sure you have the right tools! Here's some links that might help:
Ohlins Instructions: www.ohlinsusa.com/files/ohlins/manuals/MI_FDK112.pdf
What I bought:
Ohlins Fork Cartridge Kit: amzn.to/3Au6IW6
Ohlins Special Took Kit: mnnthbx.com/product/ohlins-fork-drop-in-kit-for-honda-monkey-125/
Ratio Rite Measuring Cup (MUST HAVE!) - amzn.to/3drm2v9
Bel-Ray 5W Fork Oil (my preferred choice) - amzn.to/3AhTY68
Heat Gun - amzn.to/3pdjVxt
Oil Drain pan - amzn.to/3dgFD0M
Brakekleen - amzn.to/3ds05Mq
Nihilo Ceven16 Spray Cleaner (best I've ever used!) - nihiloconcepts.com/products/ceven-16-advanced-cleaning-formula?rfsn=5807396.9834c6
And LOTS of these! - amzn.to/3PmZdWB

[@pnwayuh]

Tip for the top fork caps: loosen the screw at the top of the triple clamp and they'll twist right off without needing a hammer. I really messed up one of my caps trying to use a wrench and hammer like in the video, but loosening just the top bolt made it tons easier.

[@thomaspeterson4371]

Great Video, helped with my install. The springs do have a part number on the end of them so you can identify which one to use.

[@andyderby150]

That bolt trick was genius! I’ll remember it for anything I work on, I am not going to try to install these on my Monkey it’s a little out of my mechanical wheel house, I got the 300lb rear shocks.

[@thomasanderson1159]

That soft core porn music in the background along with the tool noises is relaxing enough to put me to sleep. 😂

[@John5XR]

I thought the same thing when editing it, but stuck with the porn music because the whole process was kinda sexy anyways 💋😂

[@motocache6645]

Thanks for the video, probably made my install process 4x faster by referencing your video. My personal added notes for those following along are... -The the threads joining the axle holder and the fork tube are reverse threads. -The 5.5 N/mm and 6.0 N/mm springs are noted via a part number on the box which you can match to in the instructions if it ends in a 4 it's the 5.5, if it ends in a 5 it is the 6.0. In my case the striffer springs were in the box by themselves.

[@John5XR]

Glad it helped and thanks for the additional information! 🙌

[@blancolirio]

Good job! Thanks for posting!

[@John5XR]

Thanks for watching!

[@killerkyle5038]

Great video just had one question was hoping u could help I got them all done and u push down on one fork it reacts way different then the other is that normal or did I fuck something up?

[@John5XR]

I believe that’s because one fork is valves for rebound and the other for compression, so they’ll feel a little different when pushed down individually. I think the most critical part of the process is to ensure the orientation of the valve (where I inserted the snip of the picture from the directions) is not the same on both sides

[@javito50]

Hello John! I really enjoy your videos and tips, i recently took my bike to a garage to install the ohlins forks and i feel like a “clonk” sound with little bumps like if something is loose, normal riding is fine but when i get down from a sidewalk, or i go through a hole i listen like if the front mud guard was loose but it is not… my mechanic says it is normal because race suspension dont care about sounds and it is normal like this…. I dont think ohlins would be like that do you agree?

[@zorpit]

The shop did the install wrong. Something not spaced right or torqued down. Tear them apart and fix it.

[@keystonedaytrip238]

I’m not clear on the step where you tighten the fork end with the 14mm, isn’t that inserting into the lower cap and tightening it ?

[@mikem9953]

Have you done an off road test video with them? Square edge holes? Pot holes? I went with thicker oil and the bandaid rear shock spring spacers. My rear shocks are bent, the black plastic which I assume is to buffer the shock spring? Well those are shattered in pieces, but she hasn’t broke in half yet! My back may have, but the monkey hasn’t! So i was thinking the $110.00 mani the box shocks I could snap and bend next, but do I have to spend all that money on Ohlins fork cartridges if they’re going to bottom right out anyway? Price for Ohlins up front isn’t bad, but the rears!!!?? You’re only dealing with a couple inches of travel anyway, so??? Fully extended or fully collapsed. What’s in between? Know what I’m sayin?

[@John5XR]

I just posted a review/test video of the Ohlins kit, you'll find it super helpful!

[@Njjusjsj]

it is posible to not use preload sleave

[@suburban91]

What kind of tires do you have ?

[@MotoTvWoodsFarm]

🐒✨💖👍😊

[@ktkace]

ＩＭＨＯ　seriously unneeded complexity for a 125 ... gimme right side up forks anyday!

[@John5XR]

They're a bit complex, agreed. I'd not complain if they weren't so undersprung though

[@sveluk_]

I really want a Honda Monkey as my first bike but their so expensive ☹️🥲

[@bobsmithers]

[@paulyflyer8154]

I think I'll leave it.

[@796andy2]

but there not gold ...

[@vmcmark7578]

20 FOOT POUNDS on the 8mm fork bolts??? Damned near every 8mm spec for that bolt through out the rest of the moto world is between 12-21 NEWTON METERS which is equal to 8.85 -- 15.49 foot pounds. Cool video, loosen top triple clamp bolt before HAMMERING loose the fork cap and sometimes RUINING the threads. If you are going to try and help the DIY's please DO BETTER, thanks....................MR

[@stevebailey72]

Why would anyone spend the money for Öhlins cartridges and then screw it up by using Bel-ray fluid? The instructions clearly state use Öhlins fluid ONLY. Weight of oil is irrelevant. Two oils with the same weight will perform differently. Öhlins 1309-01 is the only fluid that should be used with these kits.