That isnt "black material" it is chrome plating and it is fine it simpily discolours with changes in surface tempreture

Ah- I was thinking about the old pre 05 boxxers with the open bath. Yes your right, they should be easy enough to do yourself just pull the stantions out of the lowers and regrease them and the bushings with some light grease. Rockshox I am suprised at. I am still on 07's once you get them rightly set up with the lowers well gressed they are so nice to ride.

Could you tell the compression was flat with no oil present ? it has two functions one to lubricate the fork and two to provide a liquid compression but I would have thought they might have stated that in the man maybe it gives the fork a longer shelf life with no oil present.

I see a lot of 888 these days with oil spurting out of them like crazy at the seals the later ones just dont seem to last

i would hate that to happen to me