[jingledell]

Hey there,

I was washing my bike and noticed that when I pick up the front end the lowers seem to fall about an inch.

Is this normal behavior? Also, although less of a concern, the forks make a squishy noise when compressed.

Thanks for any input about this!

Mark

 

[mrbigisbudgood]

For the fork to extend a half inch or so when unloaded, is pretty normal. Have you done any maintainence (oil change, new seals) in the past on the fork?

 

[jingledell]

No - I just recently got the bike and have never taken the fork apart - should I?

 

[ohio]

A touch of play is normal, but .5" of completely free up-down movement shouldn't happen. have you tried dialing in some more preload? just turn the big knowbs on the top of each fork leg clockwise... that should fix it.

If it doesn't take out the springs and measure them to see if they're still proper length.

 

[Kornphlake]

squishing noise is normal with all oil dampened forks I have used. that's just the sound of the oil passing through the damper. As far as the fork flopping around if you had the bike upside down the oil likely drained out of the cartridge and when you turned it over it topped out more noticeably than usual because there was no oil to dampen the rebound. With the bike upright cycle the fork several times until you hear the swishing sound and feel that the travel is dampened then pick the front end off the ground by the handlebars. The fork should extend slightly and then you should be able to extend it by hand about another .5 in or so.

 

[jingledell]

You are absolutely correct! funny thing, I went out to my bike yesterday to see again exactly how much 'play' there was - this time there was hardly any!

And you are right, I had my bike upside down to wash it and it was immediatly after that I noticed the strange behavior.

Thanks for your reply and putting my mind at ease.

Mark