stiff fork problem

BloodMonkey

I have just installed a new pair of pikes onto my bike and they turn really stiffly, i have taken it apart and put it back together about 10 times now and i keep having the same problem ...

nicklouse

have you fitted the crown race from your old forks?

BloodMonkey

yes

nicklouse

bearings the correct way up?

BloodMonkey

i have put them so that the little balls are facing downwards on the bottom ones and upwards on the top ones...........bit of a guess though

BloodMonkey

with the top bearings does the little cup thing or the bearings go into the frame first:? because i think i might of put them in the wrong way around

nicklouse

turn the picture upside down

BloodMonkey

i think i got it right.....

nicklouse

If you have fitted the crown race


and the bearings are the right way round and the centering wedge is fitted



and the fork is stiff to turn the headset is dead. Or you have just over tightened it and it is most likely now dead.

BloodMonkey

whats the insert on the picture?

nicklouse

part of the fitting tool to seat the crown on the arch fully.

the crown is not fully fitted in the picture.

BloodMonkey

i have just taken it all apart to check i put everything it the correct way....it is a bit better but its still doesnt rotate freely

BloodMonkey

if anything is broken what would i need to replace?

nicklouse

take pictures.

BloodMonkey

what parts do you want me to take pictures of?

nicklouse

everything as you take it to bits, then i may be able to see what is wrong.

BloodMonkey

everyting might be a bit greesy

batch78

As funny as this thread has become I can see you've got two options.

1. Nick is god. Do as god says or be banished to hell for eternity.

2. Pop down your LBS, bend over and take it like a man.

The choice is obvious to me. :roll:

stumpyjon

You're not overtightening your the stem cap are you? If that's too tight the forks will rotate stiffly (or not at all).

BloodMonkey

i took the bike out for a quick ride around to test out the new forks and by the end of the ride they were rotating perfectly I think it was because i didnt press the fork crown race on perfectly square and the the pressure of cycling around on it magicly straightened it...........yay

god1406

ouch. sounds like a bit of a bodge...

BloodMonkey

it worked though