Black marks on Front Forks
 

Hiya...

New to forum. Just joined. Was never much of a bike rider until I got an A2B Metro, which I been riding the last month. Managed to clock up 300 miles already. Really great bike to ride.

One thing I have noticed though that there is blacks marks appearing on the forKS. These marks appear to be being caused by the seal and run from the seal across the lenght of the suspension travel. It is nothing that is severe, but I would like to nip a problem in there bud if there is one.

Seems as though it may be lacking sufficient lubricant. I just wanted opinions on whether that is normal. I am planning on applying some 'magnalube' (teflon grease I have at work used for lubricating pnuematic cylinders)

My plan was to apply on each fork above the seal and press down so it slides into to the fork and lubricates across the travel of the forks. I believe the forks are coil, not air or oil dampened.

Just wanted some advice really, is this a good idea.... or is it no problem at all, or is the seal itself breaking down due to lack of sufficient lubricant. Thanks for any advice!

It's probably a bit of lube escaping from your fork, and then catching some airborne dust. But post a pic and someone might be able to say more.

what model fork? if its a cheap one then they are grease lubed. the cheap ones are really not worth your time and considered throw aways

Personally I would put them into the cheaper catagory. The marks to the touch do feel like a grease as apposed to the seal breaking down. Would the grease used be a blacky/grey colour?.. I havn't a chance to take a photo just yet but I will try a sort one tommorow.

I would be interested in replace the front and rear suspension on the bike, because both are lacking any real form of damping and just seem to be pre-load on the springs. The frame itself is built like Fort Knocks, but there really missed a trick on the suspension.

I think it would be relatively easy to swap the rear shock out for an air shock, or one with a oil resevoir... However the front fork poses a little more of a problem. I am mechanicaly minded and have a trade so the actual work isnt a problem, but if you look in a picture below of the bike the stem on it is absoloutly enormous... and Im not sure if there would be an shock that would fit that. Opinions

http://www.vespahalifax.com/images/s.../a2b-metro.png

It is possible to extend the steerer tube on a fork with a steel steerer. Takes some skill though, and quite a lot of trust in ones handiwork to ride the bike later. I've done it by my machining a plug that went inside the steerer and aligned the ends, then welding small patches at opposite sides to avoid warping.

Biggest challenge I see is that for bikes where the suspension is mostly "for show" rear shocks seems to be shorter than for "real" suspension frames. YOu might have trouble finding something fitting.