Will this damage my forks?

patchesuk

Hi,

I'm currently in the process of buying a new car. After looking at vans I have conceeded to get another estate as I need an everyday car more than a van.

With my current estate I can fit my iron Horse in with the seats down and the bike upside down on the handlebars with the forks just missing the roof of the car.

The new car I'm getting is about 5cm too short, so to transport the bike in a simialr fashion I am intending to use an Arno strap to slightly compress the forks so the bike fits. (basically this will allow me to carry 2-3 bikes in the back of the car upside; down and not ontop of each other.)

http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acata ... .html?4699


By using a strap to compress the forks slightly (not stupidly), will this cause damage or affect the forks in any way? I cna't see it doing so but thought I'd check before doing so.

Thanks for any advice!
Clint.

Radioactiveman

I guess forks are designed to be compressed by the wheel so if you apply force in another way it may have an unexpected undesirable result. Not sure what possibly could be damaged but I have another possible solution although a bit of a pita and only maybe possible if they are air shocks.

Record air pressure and then lower the pressure completely and the fork will sink under the weight of the lower when upside down. Not sure if this pressure cycling would have a long term effect on the fork though.

rubins4

I cant see how the act of compressing them would be much of a problem, if done sensibly, but i dont know what effect it would have on the oil inside if you compress them then store them upside down for any time. Will the extended period of compression try and push any oil past any seals etc especially with gravity pushing oil toward seals that wouldnt normally be used to it?

Rob-Is-On-Fire

Why not lay the bike on it's side, throw a towel or two over it then lay another on top. Been doing this for years and if there is towel between the bikes at every place they would touch they'll be fine.

stumpyjon

They are compressed most of the time whilst riding anyway (sag) shouldn't be an issue.

cooldad

Used to transport motorcycles all the time on a trailer using tie downs to compress the forks and use the 'spring' to hold the bike in place. No problems. Bike forks are the same, just a bit lighter.