[Salami]

I have an 02 Fox Vanilla 125RLC that is not getting full travel. About two years ago I bent the lowers and sent the fork back to Fox to be repaired. I got the fork back and put it away until this year.

I built up a new bike and put the Vanilla back into service. I installed the next firmer spring (green?) to stiffen it up a bit since the bike would be used a bit for jumping and playing around. Everything seemed fine but eventually I realized I was not getting full travel (about 95mm). Today I put the stock spring back in and I am still getting 95mm max. I don't feel any bottoming and am unsure what to do. The fork oil was replaced before the stock spring went back in and it had zero effect on the travel range.

Did I damage something or did Fox mess something up when the fork was repaired?

 

[w00dy]

Just ride it, 4 is better for jumping anyways.

The reality of the situation is that you've had it apart since it was serviced so no blame can be assigned to Fox. If it feels good, ride it.
I know this isn't a very technical answer, and I apologize for that. Just my 2 cents.

 

[jrfor0]

there might be too much oil in it. 155ml i think is the amount required on those forks, but don't quote me on that.

 

[cheetaprowlerDH]

if there is too much oil in it, that is the prob.
the hydraulic lock out is sensitive to oil amount.

the same happened to my friends Monster T

 

[Salami]

The reality of the situation is that you've had it apart since it was serviced so no blame can be assigned to Fox.

I am not looking to assign blame. I am trying to figure out what is wrong with it. I don't want to damage something by further riding it and wind up with a completely broken fork.

 

[Salami]

if there is too much oil in it, that is the prob.
the hydraulic lock out is sensitive to oil amount.

I thought of that but it seems odd that it was doing it before the oil change. I quess it is possible that the oil levels could be wrong twice. I am going to get some more fork oil and try another oil change.

 

[zebrahum]

The oil level should be 160ml (apparently a typo in the fox manuals), but that should only control the damping. If your travel is messed up, you may have reassembled the spaces in the wrong positions. Fox has their service manuals online in the Tech Section of their website. You'll be looking for the section called "changing travel, vanilla forx". Check the tech drawings against your spacer arangment. Also, make sure you follow their advice and "Do not loose your balls!!!"

 

[Salami]

The oil level should be 160ml (apparently a typo in the fox manuals), but that should only control the damping. If your travel is messed up, you may have reassembled the spaces in the wrong positions.

160ml is the figure I used. At least that is what I remember was supposed to go in there, maybe I measured wrong (was using a 60cc syringe).

Spacers are in the correct locations and I did almost loose my ball but I was able to find it. oster_oops:

 

[zebrahum]

Does the fork get full travel if you try to cycle it without the spring in it? It's possible your bending of the fork legs has damaged it permanantly.

 

[Chewieez]

160ml is a little too much oil for most riders.

If you call up Fox or PUSH and talk to them, they'll suggest that you take out 10ml at a time until you get full travel again.

I just had the oil changed in my Vanilla and lost travel afterwards. It would literally just stop, with a bottoming feel but not bottoming out noise. The bike shop who did the service followed the 160ml rule but was told by PUSH that that amount was too much. I think he took 10 out and the fork is feeling great again!!