Some forkin help pls

[Lioneld78]

Hello all, don’t shoot me down if this is a dumb question/post - I’m reasonably new to this retro love thang...but I recently bought these and despite them being listed as having recent rebuild and new red elastomers and being ‘very soft’ they literally do not move. I’m limited in workshop knowledge/skill so I don’t want to mess too much but these have a spring one side and elastomers on the other? We’re conversions always just one sided? Spring, compression and rebound work great with the elastomer stack out. Drop the elastomers back in and you get maybe 1-2mm travel. Can anyone guide me on how to sort this or should I recontact the seller as these aren’t really what was listed. Any help or pointers appreciated. Thanks - pics

https://ibb.co/album/s5cgzb

 

[ishaw]

Re:

I theory a spring is undamaged and once compressed will return to full length as soon as the compression force is removed. Without damping they will pogo.around so a spring conversion on these forks isn't a great move. I did have a proper conversion kit for a set of these forks once, it had a small oil damper to manage the rebound.

I can see in theory why only one side has been done, perhaps the thinking was the elastomers will still offer some level of rebound damping.

However if your forks barely move with them in, sounds like they are too hard.

How are you testing them, off the bike by hand? There will be more weight and force from rider weight and trail input so you may get much more travel than by hand when on a built bike.

Personally I'd try and run eladtomers both sides. You can get kits from here, and you can also get different hardness so you can mix until you get the right combination.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lioneld78]

Re:

Yeah, had them in a frame and hooked up a wheel but they’re almost solid. Bit of a gutter as I’d been looking for a clean/rebuilt pair for ages but these just aren’t what they were listed as. I can’t be arsed to buy another kit as it’d put them up to a stupid price overall.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

A kit should only be £30 for both sides. You'd be able to mix the elastomers then and have some spare.

Elastomers do go hard or turn to goo over time. You could try putting yours in warm water to see if that loosens them up. Cold makes them harder.

Another trick to change properties was to drill holes in them. Less elastomer, more give.

 

[marc two tone]

Re:

It can be a tough job to get the right thing for your forks.

I'm tight and thrifty, also like to learn as a I go.

For two sets of forks lately, i purchased off ebay some elastomer rod.

It's available bored but I went for plain at 22mm.

Now, you can chop it as you see fit though i kept in longest possible length for extra firm resistance. Use a 4mm drill bit to clear a void for the pips on the spacers to push into. You can faf as you go.

Two points.

Use a elastomer friendly lube, silicone based stuff, just smear it on, not a bath load as often misinterpreted on here.its just to reduce friction/protect.

Build/fabricate the elastomer stack so as you lower it in and screw the valve down, you feel the bind and resistance as you get to the last 1.5 maybe 2 full turns (as a guide anyway)