Zoom 386 Forks (Reconditioning)

NikGrey · January 2010

Hi Folks,

First of all I am pleased to become a new member of this forum.
I run a few fora myself and did use the search facility to see if there was anything here first to read but the thread subjects didn't help.

I am so sorry if this HAS been covered elsewhere, to be honest I did only spend about 10 mins searching.

(I am aware that these forks are not worthy of this forum but it doesn't hurt to ask)

I just bought a bike today, had a few really cheap ones in the past but never really took it seriously, now I have found this forum maybe I can at least make a start.
This bike is not an expensive one although I did get it at a good price - it is a Promotional bike from Metabo (they make Quality German tools if you didnt know) and it was on eBay... I want to brand this bike with my own stamp hence my going for it (as it would take little work to replace stickers).

I have to admit I did take a 'Punt' as such a company you would think would put together a good spec bike - this turns out to be a Cross Sprinter SE (2009) and suits my needs IE IT looks good

.

BUT, this - for the money is fine.

My problem is the forks (Zoom 386) are knackered although the chap I purchased from swears he only used it twice (Yeah - for 2x 4 month rides at a time) but no, seriously it is virtually new.

Ok, so to the point:

I sit on the bike - front brake on (seems weird to have the front brake on the left but anyway).. Push forward and the wheel moves to the left !!

Checked everything (I am a practical person) and it is all tight.

The arc (no idea what you would call that but maybe I can hang a wreath on it if all else fails) between the two forks moves forward and back which indicates to me that there has been some wear near the bottom of the stanchions.

This is where I need help:

How to take the forks apart
Where to find and what are the parts called that I need (If I can do the former).

I have looked of course - popped off the caps at the top - can see what I assume is the top of a spring cap deep down at the bottom.

From below I see a threaded tube with what looks like a slot, the slot is too shallow to take anything it seems.

So my problem is:

How do I get these things (forks) apart?

Havent got the seals of off the top yet - that's my first job when I awake.

Please don't just say 'Bin Them' as they were put together so they MUST come apart somehow.

Can anybody shed any light?

Edit: No idea why my sig doesn't work

nicklouse · January 2010

TBH that is that fork working.

there is not much inside them as if there was it would fall out.

brake on the left will be the Germany build.

look on the bottom of the fork legs for a nut.

but dont expect to be able find any parts to fix them. (or make them work better).

supersonic · January 2010

In a nutshell:

Th bushings are knackered, they cannot be replaced, the fork is dead.

I am afraid there is nothing you can do to remedy your problem.

Bin them.

NikGrey · January 2010

Thanks folks, That is what I expected you to say.

'Bushings' was the word that eluded me in the OP, not 'Nut' on bottom otherwise they would be apart by now.

I haven't used this bike yet in anger, when I sit in the correct position it does travel 10mm which I think is correct but for it to push the wheel left is a worry.

OK, point taken - forks are dead

Bad start to my new biking career I suppose but on the other hand I have looked at a bike for the last year and what I have here is good - all I need is new forks.

And I know what they could cost

Thanks for your help so-far chaps, I am sure if there was a way to take these apart you would have told me by now and another thing - thanks for the fast response.

diy · January 2010

Also remove the front wheel and check the bearings are sound in the hub. The hub might just need tightening, servicing.

To be fair to the seller, those forks are pretty much junk when new, so he might have only used it a couple of times.

stu8975 · January 2010

Is it white one with black paintwork on the back end? If it is and you paid £170 (I seen it on ebay) then you have paid over the odds, new value would be around £250 max (more iro £200, research is everything and minus tyres fitted), just because it has a quality brand name (tool wise), dont think it will be a good bike. Like it or not its pretty much low/bottom of the range in terms of its components and wont stand up to any 'hard' riding. The frame may be worth keeping and upgrade the components to make it into something that will last (but you will be better off buying something thats half decent to start with). One of the worst things to happen is to buy something that you think is a good product, only to find out its not and you be put off the whole biking thing. Excuse me if i have the wrong bike.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mountain-Bike-Gen ... 20aec1aaba

Correct one?

NikGrey · January 2010

Stu, your correct - that is the item I am talking about.

DIY - I checked the hub and its all fine.

Can anybody suggest a set of forks from ebay at the mo - there are so many.
They will need to be user serviceable though.

supersonic · January 2010

What is your budget?

NikGrey · January 2010

Good point, In light of the rest of the bike I think £50

The tube is 200mm long and 27mm in diameter and its threadless.

I ask for help here as you lot know what you are doing - this is new to me.
I see things like this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RST-OMEGA-26-MOUNTAIN-BIKE-SUSPENSION-FORK-WHITE_W0QQitemZ380174221701QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR?hash=item5884264185

And wonder..

freeride-mike · January 2010

i have just bought a set of suntour xcr lo 100mm forks from ebay brand new which were £67 but u can get the same 100mm forks without the lockout for £55 i think, great value for money IMO

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-2009-SR-Sunto ... 4cec9e4699

diy · January 2010

Should be able to get a used set of Toras for that money.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rockshox-Tora-302 ... 2304b3622a

however 170 + 50 just to get started - it might be worth riding it as is for a while and then chucking it back on ebay in the spring.

supersonic · January 2010

I assume it is a standard 1 1/8th threadless steerer the bike needs.

This is a great fork for the monmey:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RST-GILA-PRO-100M ... 53de3276d9

Oil damping.

woodywmb · January 2010

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=13106

£52 from CRC. Not great but ten times better than Zoom. Suggest you go to a bike shop and ask them to fit a cheap fork. They often have old stock for a good price. Plus they have the tooling to get a neat headset fit.

NikGrey · January 2010

Thanks everyone for your continued advice, I am listening.

One thing I feel is sorely missed on this forum is a 'Thanks' button.
Saves people having to make a post just to thank everybody and alerts the poster that somebody in particular has read their post.

nicklouse · January 2010

be aware the crown race will need to be removed from the old fork and fitted to the new one.

See the FAQs.

NikGrey · January 2010

Well, it's taken a while and I have been after Fox Forks but they just attract so much flaming Wonga.

I doubled my budget for flaming forks but no 'Fox' joy so I went for the second option which was suggested above - RockShox.

I just won http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270519652381&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Ok, they are not the best I assume due to the price but much better than having a 'bike in bits' here in my office.

Not got them yet of course but these will at least allow me to go out and actually use the bike.

Oh, and I have a hat to wear on my travels too - Bell Ucon. Not as bad as I expected - I may even wear this to the pub

(That was a joke)..

supersonic · January 2010

Good fork, the difference will amaze you.

NikGrey · January 2010

Thanks, I appreciate the vote of confidence. to be honest I thought I would get beaten down with 'They are crap forks' etc.

But for my budget these should do me ok for now.

I just checked your facebook profile 'Super' as I am that way inclined and noticed that you follow Ray Mears.. great stuff as I love that kind of thing too look: http://www.nikgrey.com/climbing/peakdistrict

supersonic · January 2010

Ray is a bit of a hero of mine!

Cheers, will take a look at the link.

Zoom 386 Forks (Reconditioning)

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