Lefty Fork Help (Cannondale Raven)

[etc]

amazing what you find! clearing out my mums loft and I've found my brothers old Cannondale Raven - which as my memory serves me well, he hardly ever rode, so it's practically brand new! (still has the original pads hardly worn in the hope xc4!)

feels like the fork (lefty) is semi seized (rough and notchy), probably as it's been left alone for 12 years plus by my reckoning! - does any one know much about these - and what i may have to do to it?

He doesn't have any interest in bikes so i'm hoping it may become mine

 

[EarlofBarnet]

I'd send it off for a service and get a pro to refresh all the lubes and check the seals. Don't think I'd recommend having a go yourself. You'll be able to find a service guide / owner manual on the web, but again I wouldn't recommend DIY unless you're pretty confident.

Great find though

 

[P20]

You need specialist tools to take them apart. The good news though is the sliders are replaceable so, in theory it would be as good as new

 

[mechagouki]

Lefty internals haven't changed in about a million years, in fact they use the exact same system of roller bearings first used in the earlier headshock Cannondales. I've seen completely seized Headshocks returned to smooth plushness by being properly serviced. It's not a DIY job though, you need experienced mechanics and some special tools to do it properly. Find your local Cannondale dealer and they will happily give you a quote to put the Lefty back in prefect condition.

 

[old_coyote_pedaller]

Although the bearings have not changed the same can't be said for the fork internals such as the shock and spring if it has one.

http://forums.mtbr.com/cannondale/lefty ... 21683.html

Thread on rebuild to give you an idea of what is involved. :roll:

From this forum,

http://forums.mtbr.com/cannondale/offic ... 72616.html

As has been said special tools are required to dismantle a Lefty and are different depending on which Lefty you have. I luckily got a tool to remove the shock from my Lefty for £8 from Edin Bicycles in their sale, normally around £50. There are several others needed to safely rebuild the internals.

 

[mechagouki]

Although the bearings have not changed the same can't be said for the fork internals such as the shock and spring if it has one.

Sorry, I meant the bearings, bit vague on that one I know....

 

[sylus]

I think it's reasonable to suggest chap this is one of those jobs that professionals should do and it will be money well spent

 

[r7ctr]

Heard nothing but good stuff about this place & probably one of the only places that still services older Cannondale stuff.

http://www.thumbprinttuning.co.uk/flash_tony_nunn.html

 

[etc]

Makes sense to get it professionally sorted, having a further play it feels like the roller bearings / plates need replacing

rest of the bike is practically as new tho! i'll post some pics when i get a chance

 

[amedias]

another thumbs up for Tony at Thumbprint.