RST fork identification

[Kerplunk]

Are these forks worth saving? I'm assuming they're RST as thats what the caps say, has 081B96082 stamped on it. They're currently stuck in a frame I'm going to use (allen bolt turns without anything loosening off) so if they're not worth saving I'm just going to cut the steerer to get them off.

 

[cce]

it will be heavy and have rubbish function. i'd bin it

 

[xizang]

Bin it :twisted:

 

[coomber]

I had some RST 281s on my backwoods as original part, snapped them doing a 1 foot jump (and I weighed about 9 stone back then). Needless to say I think they aren't worth keeping.

Get some Z2's instead. I never looked back - they're awesome (but heavy).

 

[philleeds]

Don't waste the time and effort, bin them and try and pickup a cheap decent fork from the sales forum.

 

[Dead Rats]

I agree that they are probably crap at best - no doubt heavy, leaky and squeaky to boot...

I realise these are beyond saving and will need to be hacked off, however as a general rule we should TRY TO STOP BINNING STUFF!!! The UK has a massive problem with landfill, and suspension forks are no doubt full of disgusting gacky oil too. Why not practise rebuilding on them (or give them to someone to try), use Gumtree or Freecycle, donate to a charity or a bike workshop / youth programme at your local school or youth centre?

Let's not forget that cycling is a growing and ecologically sound mode of transport not just a source of fun / exercise / escapism.

*steps down from high horse*

 

[coomber]

True deadrats, and I know your comment wasn't at anyone in particular, my point was there are a lot better forks out there so for the point of saving a steerer tube only, don't worry about keeping them intact. You are right, the practice stripping them would be worthwhile or do a karma donation on the for sale thread. Someone always wants another mans rubbish.

I am sure there's a hack bike user on here who would use them for the price of postage.

 

[mattbrown]

if you're turning the allen bolt on the top of the aheadset, then the star fangle nut, has come loose, between the bolt thread and the star part, (it happened to me once), to save the forks, (maybe use them on something like a pub hack bike) then you need a long flat head screwdrive to push from the bottom and hammer the star fangle nut from underneath, thus bending the flanges.

 

[Xesh]

I agree they're RST 281s and not worth keeping. They only have springs in them and the steerer is bonded in the crown.

If you want to take them apart, just to have a look them, you first have to remove the bolts at the bottom of the legs. Unbolt the brace and then unscrew the slider (anti-clockwise when looking at the bottom of the leg, iIrc). If they're not rusted up you should then see the high-tech internals.