Headshok or not?
- Thread starter Malvern Rider
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The Malcolm
Retro Guru
Re:
The completely rigid lock out is the other thing I like about the headshok. Unfortunately for you the earlier ones DD and DL's are either on or off.
Perhaps you could adjust the amount of pre-load to make them stiffer but they would be like that all the time. I adjusted the preload on my son's DD60 but that was more to compensate for him being so light.
The completely rigid lock out is the other thing I like about the headshok. Unfortunately for you the earlier ones DD and DL's are either on or off.
Perhaps you could adjust the amount of pre-load to make them stiffer but they would be like that all the time. I adjusted the preload on my son's DD60 but that was more to compensate for him being so light.
Malvern Rider
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Update - so today I collected a used F500 (2k I think) with a Fatty Super (seller described as 'smooth, no probs) - and not only is it borked (grinding, bottoming out, headset bearings knacked, big split in rubber boot) but this model has no lockout function evident (just a plastic top cap with no lever)
Now what, arghhhhhhhhhhh looks like an expensively cheap purchase this is the second badly described bike I've purchased in one week, and actual riding seems like a distant dream... x(. Tho in the spirit of retro biking I plan to get this thing built up nicely as the frame is actually ok, just the rest of it...
Now what, arghhhhhhhhhhh looks like an expensively cheap purchase this is the second badly described bike I've purchased in one week, and actual riding seems like a distant dream... x(. Tho in the spirit of retro biking I plan to get this thing built up nicely as the frame is actually ok, just the rest of it...
The Malcolm
Retro Guru
Re:
Hi
They all have a lock out. Some of the headshock only have a round cap on the top which rotates the same as the one with the lever. It sounds like there is no oil in the shock if the lock out is not working. Providing the cartridge has not been abused with a ham fisted repair in the past it should be possible to get it working with a new set of seals. Upload or PM some pictures of the headskoks you have and I might be able to point you in the right direction.
Bruce
Hi
They all have a lock out. Some of the headshock only have a round cap on the top which rotates the same as the one with the lever. It sounds like there is no oil in the shock if the lock out is not working. Providing the cartridge has not been abused with a ham fisted repair in the past it should be possible to get it working with a new set of seals. Upload or PM some pictures of the headskoks you have and I might be able to point you in the right direction.
Bruce
Malvern Rider
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Thnks for the advice Bruce, tho pretty sure there is no lockout, at least no knurled cap or lever. Having a job identifying the forks to be honest working on the assumption that they colour match the frame - it's an F500. This the second CAAD3 I've owned from the same year, the first had forks that just said 'fatty' yet had a knurled cap for lockout and an air cartridge, whereas these have neither, which leaves me asking 'where's the 'super' in 'super'? 
*update - OK it looks like they are Super Fatty M's -
http://www.vintagecannondale.com/cannon ... dshok.html
Super Fatty M—Coil/Mechanical Damper
80mm of travel
Upgrade to DL80 or FT80 cartridge
So looks like an upgrade to get lockout function? What have I done!
*update - OK it looks like they are Super Fatty M's -
http://www.vintagecannondale.com/cannon ... dshok.html
Super Fatty M—Coil/Mechanical Damper
80mm of travel
Upgrade to DL80 or FT80 cartridge
So looks like an upgrade to get lockout function? What have I done!
The Malcolm
Retro Guru
Re:
Yes I would agree. I think you are right they don't lockout. If you look at vintage cannondale catalogue for 2001 they show the F500 in yellow with the Supper Fatty M fork.
http://web.archive.org/web/200610160004 ... -1FS5.html
Spares for the Fatty M and Super Fatty M look quite hard to find. All of the upgrade kits are expensive.
http://eighty-aid.com/en/content/super-fatty-m
http://eighty-aid.com/en/content/fatty-m
The Supper Fatty M looks like it has elastomers in it and it could be that these have turned to mush. I have not come across the parts diagram for the Super Fatty M fork yet. I will keep looking to see what I can find.
It sounds like you can upgrade the damper to an air and oil but the costs looks prohibitive for new unless you can get your hands on an old one. Below is the link for a DL70 and you need the DL80 from Cannondale spares and Querty unfortunately I think you would need both bits. Sorry but it might be cheaper to pick up either another donor fork or another fork.
http://www.cannondalespares.com/Cannond ... tAod_xcA8w
http://qwertycycles.co.uk/collections/h ... ring-hd184
Did you say you had another headshok? or is that being used on another bike?
Yes I would agree. I think you are right they don't lockout. If you look at vintage cannondale catalogue for 2001 they show the F500 in yellow with the Supper Fatty M fork.
http://web.archive.org/web/200610160004 ... -1FS5.html
Spares for the Fatty M and Super Fatty M look quite hard to find. All of the upgrade kits are expensive.
http://eighty-aid.com/en/content/super-fatty-m
http://eighty-aid.com/en/content/fatty-m
The Supper Fatty M looks like it has elastomers in it and it could be that these have turned to mush. I have not come across the parts diagram for the Super Fatty M fork yet. I will keep looking to see what I can find.
It sounds like you can upgrade the damper to an air and oil but the costs looks prohibitive for new unless you can get your hands on an old one. Below is the link for a DL70 and you need the DL80 from Cannondale spares and Querty unfortunately I think you would need both bits. Sorry but it might be cheaper to pick up either another donor fork or another fork.
http://www.cannondalespares.com/Cannond ... tAod_xcA8w
http://qwertycycles.co.uk/collections/h ... ring-hd184
Did you say you had another headshok? or is that being used on another bike?
The Malcolm
Retro Guru
Re:
This is a link for the Super Fatty M overhaul. Not much use if you can't get the spares
http://forums.mtbr.com/cannondale/super ... 40972.html
Scroll down and the Super M is shown
http://jumpsport.cz/media/files/4_HeadS ... 281%29.pdf
Parts diagram for the damper and it looks like the top half is elastomers along with an elastomer in the main spring
http://www.fastglass.net/bike/headshok/ ... 0_cart.pdf
Might be worth looking into whether anyone can make bespoke elastomers. I started to research that for the DD60 fork I repaired and then I found Eightyaid had one in stock so stopped looking.http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=306703
This is a link for the Super Fatty M overhaul. Not much use if you can't get the spares
http://forums.mtbr.com/cannondale/super ... 40972.html
Scroll down and the Super M is shown
http://jumpsport.cz/media/files/4_HeadS ... 281%29.pdf
Parts diagram for the damper and it looks like the top half is elastomers along with an elastomer in the main spring
http://www.fastglass.net/bike/headshok/ ... 0_cart.pdf
Might be worth looking into whether anyone can make bespoke elastomers. I started to research that for the DD60 fork I repaired and then I found Eightyaid had one in stock so stopped looking.http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=306703
Hmmm bad luck, still worth taking apart to see whats going on inside.
Hopefully ill get round to mkaking a tool to remove thr damper, the braring races in my fork feel a bit notch, tjr alloy lock ring id loose so ill have a look inside, hopefully a clean and lube will sort thrm out, i see replacement races are availablr for not too much money if i need some.
Hopefully ill get round to mkaking a tool to remove thr damper, the braring races in my fork feel a bit notch, tjr alloy lock ring id loose so ill have a look inside, hopefully a clean and lube will sort thrm out, i see replacement races are availablr for not too much money if i need some.
The Malcolm
Retro Guru
Re:
If it does turn out to be the elastomers it maybe worth contacting these guys
http://www.suspensionforkparts.net/esho ... dshox.html
They do have some headshok elastomers and they have a custom size option. Hopefully you could work out their dimensions from the remains. The inside bore will no doubt be 1/2" and you just need the height and outside diameters.
If it does turn out to be the elastomers it maybe worth contacting these guys
http://www.suspensionforkparts.net/esho ... dshox.html
They do have some headshok elastomers and they have a custom size option. Hopefully you could work out their dimensions from the remains. The inside bore will no doubt be 1/2" and you just need the height and outside diameters.
Malvern Rider
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Wow what a ton of information - rlly appreciated thnks. Don't know where I'm going with this tbh, quite sure I'd miss the lockout, wrongly assumed all Headshoks had that function. Would probably have a bash at servicing/swapping elastomer etc myself if I was keeping them as is which I'm reasonably convinced of not doing. Upgrade, replacement or reducer set + SIDs or similar by the looks of it.
I got a quote from Tony at thumbprint for a full service and that is still cheaper than a pair of decent (used) air forks, but not much - also waiting on his advice on whether they can be upgraded which I'm imagining would be prohibitive in some way, cost or otherwise. Will wait and see before making a move. Really sucks not to be riding, these things bottom out just by standing by the side and compressing with upper body weight on the bars. Haven't risked riding it yet, probably knowing the weight of disappointment would be too great ;-)
I got a quote from Tony at thumbprint for a full service and that is still cheaper than a pair of decent (used) air forks, but not much - also waiting on his advice on whether they can be upgraded which I'm imagining would be prohibitive in some way, cost or otherwise. Will wait and see before making a move. Really sucks not to be riding, these things bottom out just by standing by the side and compressing with upper body weight on the bars. Haven't risked riding it yet, probably knowing the weight of disappointment would be too great ;-)
