Checking out forks

silver · Post by **silver** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:34 am

Just wondering, if you were to check out a pair of forks what would you look for other than leaking seals ?

Yoniboi · Post by **Yoniboi** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:20 am

Any kind of scarring, pitting, or wear on the sliders... particularly nearer the seals. Look for dings or scratches both on the legs and the sliders. If at all possible, pump them to see if the action is smooth (ideally take out the springs so you can really feel if they're smooth, it's not so easy with the springs in.. but most people aren't that friendly/helpful) at least back off the preload.

Make sure compression /rebound dampling screws turn freely and do what they're supposed to do.

Can't think of anything else but I've prolly missed something, someone else will fill in if I have.

Cheers,
John

sickle44 · Post by **sickle44** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 5:48 pm

and lastly the most important thing to look for John is whether they're straight or not. If you can get a look at the fluids inside, it should give you and excellent indication as to what kind of care the owner kept it in?

Yoniboi · Post by **Yoniboi** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:06 am

What comes next a tongue in cheek, OK, Sickle???

I didn't say straight 'cos I didn't want to offend the guys inteligence, but anyways, if they ain't straight they won't slide smoothly, they tighten up as they compress; but yea, if you hold the leg and turn the slider it should swivel, not swing.

I could've also said make sure both legs are a pair, same length, same model, not both right hand or left hand legs, that they come with triples, or if not that they suit the triples you've got, that if you're running twin discs that each leg has a caliper mount....

Good tip about the oil though... dark is OK, but if there's any iron filings in there, turn around and walk away.

John

sickle44 · Post by **sickle44** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:01 pm

Not sure if you're pissed at me John or not, but..... Holy!!

No offence intended, was just tryin' to help the other John really.

If there were metal filings in the oil, it wouldn't be terrible, just a bargaining chip as now you'll definitely need to replace bushings and any other metal sliding thinga-ma-bobbers. To be honest though, for the cost of bushings/metal sliders, which ever, I'd replace them anyways on an older set of forks, just cause really.

Post by **Hooligan** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:03 pm

easy guys, i don't think anyone meant anything by any of the posts!

hotcam · Post by **hotcam** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:30 am

If you get to see them in the bike or with the upper in a vise, then you can jiggle the lower and see if it slops side-to-side or front-to-back. Most obvious when fully extended.

Have a look up the bottom (of the forks silly

) at the main retaining allen bolt. These are often butchered and can be a right prick to get out. Not a deal breaker, but just a warning sign...

vinsanity69 · Post by **vinsanity69** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:35 am

That's a excellent tip......I got to spend five hours on a set one time thanks to not looking at them first.

Yoniboi · Post by **Yoniboi** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:09 pm

Hey there, sorry about that, just catching up after some time away and seen how I went off the handle on poor old Sickle there. My apolgies. Can't remember now, it's been a while but I guess that was one of those days my ex was (and still does) get to me, that or I was burned out with house move and new contract at work, and fighting to get the Spondon legal in Spain (f**k*in' Felipe II's got so much to answer for). Been a bitch of a year really, odd things like this site are enormously chilling, so I'd be an absolute dingbat to shit in the bathwater, as it were.

Once again Sickle sorry about that, oh and Hotcam, excellent tip about the bolt heads... right on there.

John

sickle44 · Post by **sickle44** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:24 am

Thanks John,
Not to worry, and thanks for the amends. They say communincation is 7% words and 93% accounts for the body language, tonal flection, eye contact, and all that other shit. Sure is hard sometimes when all we're working with is the 7%.
Once again, not to worry and thanks