Good evening.
2 years ago I purchased a mint condition Klein Attitude Comp from a collector fitted with Manitou SX-R front forks. The bike was in absolute mint condition so must have been stored.
I'm a weekend cyclist and rarely venture into mtb park trails. However yesterday I went to the Forest trails in Bracknell, UK for a birthday group ride out and after a particular rough downhill section when the suspension definitely bottomed out several times I noticed that there was blue oil running out of the right fork lower onto the ground.
The plastic Damper Adjuster Knob which was located on the bottom of the right fork and its O-Ring Dropout Nut have vanished.
See attached photos and schematic plans of the forks from the Manitou 2001 SX range manual. Could this have been forced off by internal pressure as the forks bottomed out?
I'm guessing that without the damper adjustment knob and the dropout o ring there was nothing to prevent the oil from leaking.
Crucially the hollow Damper Dropout Nut is still in place so I was able to get back to the car.
The forks still operate but are a bit jerkier. I've noticed that if I lift the front there is a clunk from the forks. Is this because there is no oil in the fork any more?
Does anyone know if the forks can be repaired? Or of a supplier of the parts?
Could a repair be as simple as replacing the oil then inserting the 2 missing pieces?
Any suggestions are greatfully appreciated.
Regards
DavidF
2 years ago I purchased a mint condition Klein Attitude Comp from a collector fitted with Manitou SX-R front forks. The bike was in absolute mint condition so must have been stored.
I'm a weekend cyclist and rarely venture into mtb park trails. However yesterday I went to the Forest trails in Bracknell, UK for a birthday group ride out and after a particular rough downhill section when the suspension definitely bottomed out several times I noticed that there was blue oil running out of the right fork lower onto the ground.
The plastic Damper Adjuster Knob which was located on the bottom of the right fork and its O-Ring Dropout Nut have vanished.
See attached photos and schematic plans of the forks from the Manitou 2001 SX range manual. Could this have been forced off by internal pressure as the forks bottomed out?
I'm guessing that without the damper adjustment knob and the dropout o ring there was nothing to prevent the oil from leaking.
Crucially the hollow Damper Dropout Nut is still in place so I was able to get back to the car.
The forks still operate but are a bit jerkier. I've noticed that if I lift the front there is a clunk from the forks. Is this because there is no oil in the fork any more?
Does anyone know if the forks can be repaired? Or of a supplier of the parts?
Could a repair be as simple as replacing the oil then inserting the 2 missing pieces?
Any suggestions are greatfully appreciated.
Regards
DavidF
