Bicycle Mechanics - Bike messed (part II with pics 56kers beware)

alrighty. I have a new problem, but first my old brake problem should be solved. I could not figure out how to move around my brakes, so since im an idiot and didn't learn much from my previous thread, i took pictures of my brake system.
http://www.mikesomething.com/bike2.jpg
sorry about the fuzzyness.
OK theres my system. and do not tell me just to take an allen key to the pad and pull it back, becuase it doesn't. i already tried that.

NOW my second problem.
My front shocks are stiff as a rock. I need to put all 220 pounds of me on it to make it compress slightly.
heres a pic of that,
http://www.mikesomething.com/bike1.jpg
on other bikes i've seen, they have the adjustment on the top of the shock. but not here? little help please.

THANKS again

As someone mentioned in your last thread, try turning the rusty little phillips head screw to pull the pad away from the rim on that side.

As to your fork question, I don't think those forks are suited for a 220 lb. rider.

I do not know what your problem is with your brakes but as for the shock, what type of fork is it? It may not be adjustable.

:beer:

I tried it. it does not move horizontally in and out.

what are ya talking about? if they arn't made for a bigger rider, then an even lighter guy wouldn't even make them move at all. i just want to make them looser.


humm what type is it? lemme go check.
all i got off the shock is "zoom 622"

Check out the picture, there is one of these screws on each caliper arm.

As you spin the tire, whichever side rubs the rim, increase the spring tension on that side by turning this screw.

You may have to loosen the other side just a bit to get it to no longer rub.

L8R

Oh yeah, regarding your fork, it's SHOT, you bought a disposable bike, it's time to go dispose of it!

Sounds Harsh, YES! But the time and effort to get a no name fork to work properly isn't worth it.

L8R

Oh yeah, regarding your fork, it's SHOT, you bought a disposable bike, it's time to go dispose of it!

Sounds Harsh, YES! But the time and effort to get a no name fork to work properly isn't worth it.

L8R
****. i thought you where gunna say that.
is it worth buying a new fork?

Well, are you mechanically inclined??

You could take it apart, the internals on a cheap fork are pretty basic, but chances are you don't have the proper tools, so you'd need to spend $30 to $50 just for those, and then you've got to have the time and patience to fix it. With a stuck fork, chances are the lube is old and crusty or worst case something is damaged.

How old is the bike?

Do you jump with it? Has it been crashed? I know you're big, but I'm bigger and my bike works fine, so it comes down to how has it been riden?

Honestly, I'm guessing (just guessing) that it's damaged beyond repair. It's not worth fixing or replacing. You are MUCH better off saving your money and buying a DECENT NAME brand bike from the shop that you've given so much money too.

Entry level bikes start at $300. Heck, right now the USED market is flooded with decent bikes you can get for 1/2 their original value. ($500 bike new, barely used for $250). Plus, new model bikes are due in September, so closeouts will be available soon.

What brands does you LBS carry? If Specialized, I'd look into a HardRock for you! About $330 NEW! If on closeout, you could probably get it for just under $300.

L8R

this bike was 399.00 CND. i've had it for almost 2 years now.

my LBS carrys norco, raleigh, gary fisher, and some no names (like minelli)
I don't really have an income right now, so a new bike would kinda be a little hard, and I cannot get around without my bike.

If that fork is blown to crap, you might see if a shop can find you a decent rigid fork. They might have something on hand that's used as well. For that matter, a used suspension fork might be a possibility as well.

but the shock has been stiff like that since forever. thats how it was new

If finances are a factor, well, you have a rigid fork. It just weighs as much as a suspension fork.

what's gunna happen if i pry off the black cap? am i gunna get oil all over the place?

No, just pry them off of there and take some pics of the inside for us.

oky doke. i'll have pics within the hour

here are the pics.
I don't think that cap is made to come off. it had 4 stoppers under the top one
http://www.mikesomething.com/shock1.JPG

also, upon closer inspection, i found this dealie on the bottom. i honestly have no idea what it does.
picture in a moment
http://www.mikesomething.com/shock.JPG

The dealie on the bottom of the fork looks like a drain plug for the oil.

The seals in the first picture look incapable of containing oil in the fork. I would guess it is one of the really cheap unadjutable fork that just contains a spring or some elastermers no damping.

It's proberly the bolt that holds the fork together. Undo it and you will proberly be able to pull the fork appart. It's proberly not a good idea to pry the topcaps off sometimes they can be used to hold in the springs and once you pry them out they can be damaged and won't be able to contain the spring.

dammit. i don't want to buy a new fork.

then don't.

if you're using that bike to get around the city/town, you don't need suspension.

alrighty. i used to take it on trails and shiz like that, but not anymore.
anyways, yeah i feel so proud of myself.
i fixed my brakes. they are amazing now. and i couldn't have done it without you guys. ROCK ON!

n/m///

Man, people rode on trails before suspension, you know. Even crazier, there was a time when bikes didn't even come with suspension on them. Crazy, huh? Set it up with a rigid fork and ride wherever you want. It's a bigger challenge, right?

And like I said before, what you have now is a rigid fork (just a heavy one [and your most affordable option]).

i guess i'l have to live with it for another two years.