What have gotten myself into?

[aka]

Hi, first post here and I'm glad to have come across you guys.

I just purchased a 1997 GT STS-1 and am just now beginning to appreciate how "interesting" it will be to own a bike manufactured for one model year made by a company that doesn't exactly exist anymore.

Anyway, I biked avidly through H.S. (non-suspended late-eighties miyata) in the northeast then bought a _horrible_ full suspension mongoose that I blame for my minimal riding over the last 7 years (also, living in NYC so...).

Now, I am 5' from mountains in beautiful Albuquerque, NM with what should prove to be a rather interesting new ride. It came with well-worn but nicely tuned with (apparently) all original XTR components. It seems well cared for and doesn't have the creak/ squeak that I've read about. The only immediate problem appears to be the leaking front forks. I've looked at the manual for them ( circa 2000 RS JUDY SL) and despite them being 10X as complicated as my damper-rod motorbike forks, I'd tear into them but don't know about finding parts. The most obvious issue is the air valve that doesn't hold air and one of the seals is popping out.

Sorry, this is getting long.
To get to the point(s), I need to rebuild this fork or buy another INEXPENSIVE **XC** fork I'd like to use the same V-brakes on there now. Thoughts on a replacement/parts? [To be clear, consider me a total newb. I understand I need a non-threaded 1 1/8" shock, but that's about all I know.]

Also, about the rear shock: I've measured the eye-eye length as 114mm. I've found NOS super deluxe for the LTS that say it has a eye-eye of 120 mm. All I can think to do is buy it and scavenge for parts. Are these things nitrogen charged?

Thanks all. Should I move the non-introduction stuff elsewhere?

 

[dyna-ti]

Try and find yourself a '99 marazocchi Z1 drop off 100m-130mm
As long as the rebound cartridges are ok you can throw anything at it.
seals are still about and easy to get
You will pay no more than £100 absolute tops
IMHO Fox is the only fork with comparable performance .UBER

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Try and find yourself a '99 marazocchi Z1 drop off 100m-130mm

you don't seriously want to recommend a 100-130mm travel fork for a 1997 gt sts?! a 1997 judy sl had just 63mm of travel!
aka, i don't know how skilled you are but you could try to service the rs judys yourself (see http://www.mtb-kataloge.de/Bikekataloge ... judyxc.pdf ). some replacement parts are available on ebay.

 

[bigdavevw]

i,ve got a judy xc fork, 2001, its on 120mm now but im gonna drop it right down, cost me £17 delivered, about $8 or something

 

[dyna-ti]

100mm aint too much,deduct the slack ant your not far off ,plus aka was looking for an inexpensive fork that works ,theres plenty of them about and they just go on and on
Its a good choice i'd of thought
Service shouldnt pose any problems as RS is still selling forks and you will get everything you need for them and im sure theres some posts somewhere on servicing and links
im not sure if there was a mod kit where you could change the air to spring :?







But im sure Inigo Montoya will

 

[aka]

Try and find yourself a '99 marazocchi Z1 drop off 100m-130mm

you don't seriously want to recommend a 100-130mm travel fork for a 1997 gt sts?! a 1997 judy sl had just 63mm of travel!
aka, i don't know how skilled you are but you could try to service the rs judys yourself (see http://www.mtb-kataloge.de/Bikekataloge ... judyxc.pdf ). some replacement parts are available on ebay.

Yeah 130mm is a lot; for now I want it set up as XC so maybe something with a lockout. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=110380406843

The nice thing about the SL that is on there is that it is fairly light. I'd at least like to get a air valve for it and go from there... any chance that is something standard across most shocks (and footballs)? OTOH, I want to be riding it NOW. I've successfully rebuilt my motorbike forks but like I said, even the 1999 Judy looks far more complicated.

Back for a moment to the rear shock:
Any chance the shock in my hand measured to be 114mm is nominally 120 and the same one that icycle.com has? My inseam absolutely won't tolerate another couple cm of stand over so...

Many thanks for the replies. I'm all official with an avatar now (the recently discovered 4th stooge).

 

[thecannibal]

100mm aint too much,deduct the slack ant your not far off ,plus aka was looking for an inexpensive fork that works ,theres plenty of them about and they just go on and on
Its a good choice i'd of thought
Service shouldnt pose any problems as RS is still selling forks and you will get everything you need for them and im sure theres some posts somewhere on servicing and links
im not sure if there was a mod kit where you could change the air to spring :?

But im sure Inigo Montoya will

It's really not fair to offer advice based on such shaky knowledge. How do you know these parts are still available? Assumption is the mother of all Fk-ups.

 

[boxxer]

Are you remembering that rear shocks will be measured eyelet to eyelet, not just the

I run 2 shocks for the back of my bullitt - a 222mm e2e for 7" travel and a 165mm e2e for 6" travel. ()

The other major place you'll notice the difference is if the stroke of the shock is different....

Have a look at the TF Tuned website for more info on spring rates or the Fox website is good too

 

[Inigo Montoya]

But im sure Inigo Montoya will

for springs:
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/mr_wings
for elastomers:
http://www.suspensionforkparts.com/Rock_Shox.html

 

[dyna-ti]

It's really not fair to offer advice based on such shaky knowledge. How do you know these parts are still available? Assumption is the mother of all f**k-ups.

I dont know if the parts are still available or whether they even exist at all.
But given that the company of rockshox is still going strong ,id say spares wouldnt be a problem
For instance -Marzocchi still sell seals for the early Z's and theyre over 10 years old
And i wasnt giving definitive advice just a suggestion on possible remedies

So chill


-----------------
I agree though to assume could make an ass of u and me,as me ol' dad use to quote.
---------------------------
Inigo Montoya i knew you'd know for sure.

BUT-i seem to remember the reviews from '97 stating the STS-1 had adjustable travel between 4-5" surely a drop off would suit.

please dont hit me this time