should suspension fork stanchions be oiled?
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should suspension fork stanchions be oiled?
i've got a RockShox Dart 3 fork on my bike at the moment, i've done 300 miles with them, and haven't done any maintenance work on them yet.. i dont get much travel out of them as i'm about 120 lbs, they never move more than a few centermetres.
should i put some finish line oil on the stanchions every so often as a general maintenence procedure?
and if this isnt necessary for performance or reliability.. would it still be a good idea because of my weight.. helping me to get more travel out of them?
cheers.
should i put some finish line oil on the stanchions every so often as a general maintenence procedure?
and if this isnt necessary for performance or reliability.. would it still be a good idea because of my weight.. helping me to get more travel out of them?
cheers.
Last edited by enfilade; 09-14-09 at 12:52 PM.
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It shouldn't affect the travel.
Did they come with a user manual? Searched the web for one?
Did they come with a user manual? Searched the web for one?
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It will attract dust. Maybe use a wax based dry lube just to see what will happen.
I don't think the stiction is holding you back. It won't be a significant change. I got a different spring for my Answer forks. See if Rock Shox has a lighter spring kit.
I don't think the stiction is holding you back. It won't be a significant change. I got a different spring for my Answer forks. See if Rock Shox has a lighter spring kit.
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I spray my fork stanchions every week or so with a silicon lube. I try to pull back the dirt wiper seals and squirt it in there. Then I cycle the fork up and down a few times and get it worked into the seals. There is a Wiper seal below the dirt wiper seals that likes to be lubed and wet to function properly.
BEFORE I go ride I wipe all the excess lube OFF the stanchions - this is all extra dirt attracting lube that will do nothing but get your forks messy.
BEFORE I go ride I wipe all the excess lube OFF the stanchions - this is all extra dirt attracting lube that will do nothing but get your forks messy.
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You should take your bike to a shop so they can help you set up your PRE-LOAD on the shock. This will set the SAG. You probably want 25% sag. So If your fork has 4" of travel you want it to sit at 1" of sag when you get on the bike and put your weight on the fork in a nornmal riding style.
This allows the fork to be plush and move when you ride over bumps.
This allows the fork to be plush and move when you ride over bumps.