[profro]

So I just installed a brand new Recon 351 w/ solo air and the fork has a clunking noise at the top part of the travel. It feels very much like a loose headset, but I have triple checked that and its good and tight.

I have searched a lot online for similar problems and it seems lots of the solo air forks do this. Is this to be expected? Its holding good air and the damping works perfect through all the travel and adjustments.

Any suggestions?

 

[profro]

Found this on TF Tuned FAQ

My Solo Air fork has a slight knock at the top of the stroke, why?
The air piston on Solo Air forks must move up and down, around 1mm on the air shaft, to allow the positive air to balance the negative air at top of the stroke. Without this balancing of positive and negative air the fork would feel harsh and have a very poor small bump ride. This air piston movement is what you can feel and cannot be removed completely. During a service we reduce it as much as it possible by fitting the latest modified air piston plus a few other things....

 

[JeffKill]

A slight knocking and the bike feeling like the headset is loose are more than likely 2 very different things. If your headset is definitely tight the only other thing I can think of that would cause that feeling is loose bushings. I recently bought a Lyrik U-turn coil and experienced the same thing. Had to send it back for loose bushings.

 

[profro]

I can't imagine a brand new fork would need new bushings. But I have checked and rechecked my headset over and over. So its not the headset. The knock/clunk is right at the top of the travel, once in the travel either I can't hear it or it doesn't do it anymore.

 

[JeffKill]

I've heard of quite a few RS forks going out brand new with loose bushings. The 1st Lyrik I received definitely had them. But the knocking didnt go away once the fork was into its travel, and there was clearly movement between the stanchions and the seals. I could also feel a very harsh knocking when I put my hand around the lowers right at the bushings. If its just a noise, and there's no movement, then its probably not the bushings.

 

[profro]

Ill check the bushings closer. Thanks.

 

[zebrahum]

How's the rebound? If you slow it down does the noise go away?