Upping preload on old forks??Ideas?
lvquestpaddler
Posts: 416
Hi,
My GT trainer bike is almost ready to build, and currently have 2 pairs of forks which would be suitable but want to use the oldest pair(keep the newer Tora 302's just in case I get fed up with the rigid konaP2's on my main Inbred mtb) which are c2004 Rockshox Pilot Air XC, which also have v-mounts should I need cheap wheels in future(the originals from the GT).
Problem is with these relics is the lack of lockout, and they are very soft, have a max air input on the left fork of about 25psi which makes little difference.
Am I right in thinking it's the RH leg which will have a spring in it, and if so can I add some suitable sized washers and battle the cap back on to stiffen them up-ideally to give the minimal movement lockouts do as the bike will be mainly road use?
I know this used to be a technique used back in the 80's when I was a yoof tearing about on Yamaha RD LC's etc, but I've never stripped a MTB fork so don't know if this is feasible?
My GT trainer bike is almost ready to build, and currently have 2 pairs of forks which would be suitable but want to use the oldest pair(keep the newer Tora 302's just in case I get fed up with the rigid konaP2's on my main Inbred mtb) which are c2004 Rockshox Pilot Air XC, which also have v-mounts should I need cheap wheels in future(the originals from the GT).
Problem is with these relics is the lack of lockout, and they are very soft, have a max air input on the left fork of about 25psi which makes little difference.
Am I right in thinking it's the RH leg which will have a spring in it, and if so can I add some suitable sized washers and battle the cap back on to stiffen them up-ideally to give the minimal movement lockouts do as the bike will be mainly road use?
I know this used to be a technique used back in the 80's when I was a yoof tearing about on Yamaha RD LC's etc, but I've never stripped a MTB fork so don't know if this is feasible?
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Comments
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You can adjust preload that way, but you don't need many - often just a few mm worth.
Note though that adding preload does not change the overall spring rate, nor stiffen the spring, however it often feels like it. Adding preload increases the force required to get the fork moving, therefore is used to set sag. Less sag will reduce extension of the fork when you pull on the bars.
Alternatively fit a stiffer spring. I believe the air spring and coil are in the same left leg:
http://www.sram.com/_media/techdocs/03_ ... ervice.pdf0 -
Err...cheers for the response just decided to avoid the hassle to use the Toras. textbook assembly bar the FSA Orbit XLII headset, but googling it led me to a very informative thread on here from last year...I wondered why there was such a gap in the crown race....oops. The proper one was abugger to get on fully in absence of a pro tool. Just had to keep tightening the cap down til it went into place(after the star nut shifted several times)
It was an ebay job with no instructions, another lesson learned to search online for them in future!!
Test run the 7spd hack tomorrow 8)0
