Tandem Cycling - ATC T-5 Rebuild question

Howdy all,

Well, I managed to secure a T-5 for my build (wow, what a fork!)... but I have a couple of questions. I emailed Alex from MTB Tandems directly but I'm sure he's been busy, so I figured I would try here:

1. using the maintenance instructions, I was able to get everything apart with a minimum of injury (minor bruising). However, it doesn't say what type of lube I should be using when I put it back together. Can anyone weigh in on what the recommended lube is for this fork?

2. I bought a 20mm axle kit from Alex that came in last week, and I would like to install it, but I'm wondering about the safest way to get the 9mm dropouts out of the fork tubes; Are they lock-tited in? can I just put a big crescent wrench across the dropout and a strap wrench on the tube and go at it? I'm concerned about messing up the threads, destroying the dropouts, etc. as I imagine it would not be cheap to correct.

3. Assuming I figure all this out ;) and manage to get the 9mm dropouts out, does anyone on the list need a set of dropouts for this fork?

Thanks to all! I'm getting closer... end of March and it should be on the trail!
Steve
Tampa, FL
early 80's Santana
Lapierre X2 Team - build in process

Glad to see that you got the fork (I'm the guy that hooked you up with Linc).

Let us know how it works out.

Rick (in Tally)

Sorry for the delay in responding; been a little under the weather lately.

The dropouts are loctited in with blue loctite. You'll have to urge them a bit; use a strap wrench on the lower legs to keep from bending them. They'll come out eventually.

I've ordered some lube that ATC recommends. I have one with your name on it.

Linc Clay sold his fork? Hope he still has his tandem!

Thanks to Rick for putting me in touch with Linc -- both of you are excellent people and I appreciate the help with the fork.

Alex, that is awesome, just let me know when and how much to send you ;)

Steve

Hi Alex-

Yup- Linc still has his El Conq. Both Marvin and Linc were instrumental in helping me decide on the El Conq we bought. Terri and I are having a blast with this wonderful bike.

Marvin/Miryam, Rick/Terri, and Linc/Karen all found themselves coincidentally in the same location the other day- Terri and I were riding with Marv and Miryam at the Forrest Meadows/ Phipps Plantation area and we ran into Linc and Karen hiking some of the trails. What are the chances of the only three couples who own ECdMs in Tallahassee meeting up like that? Too bad all three bikes weren't there- it would have made a great picture.

Regards-

Rick

How's your tandem doing for you?

Funny how that happens; many years ago, I came home and proudly posted to the local SORBA forum that we were probably the first team to have ridden our Cannondale tandem at Yellow River trails. Then I found Mark Livingood's post that they were probably the first team to have ridden their Cannondale tandem at Yellow River trails, the same date, no less. Talk about coincidence! We didn't seen them there that first day, but we met them there the next weekend and rode together for the first time.

Then again, tandem mountain bikes do tend to stand out, and you'll likely end up knowing, either personally or by reputation, most of the tandem teams in the region.

Which also reminds me: we need to put together a southeast off-road tandem weekend again very soon. Who's in for an autumn date range in north Georgia?