K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: AndySV1K on December 21, 2007, 07:03:45 am
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Hello all.
Found this forum after searching for info on Proflex.
I recently decided to dig out my old 856 and give it a new lease of life (ok to get fit again really)
Of course the elastomers are like yellow lumps of concrete. I searched the interweb for spares but im struggling to find much. I found a place in Scotland that make springs kits for the 856, but i cant get an answer from them. Has anyone else here changed their elastomers for springs, or does anyone know where i can buy a pair of springs. As far as i can tell the shocks are still good, i will probably give them an oil change though.
Thanks
Andy.
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Hi Andy.
The web site in Scotland would be rapiddesent run by one of the forum members here, and I may be wrong but I think he runs it not as a company but more of a hobby, he will get back to you.
He, as well as the elastomers sells replacement springs too, I went for those myself as they are a fit and forget option(lazy git)
Cheers and enjoy the proflex thing, Tel.
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Hi Andy,
Tel is right. RD is probably out of town spending them big bucks he gets from us.:-)
Can't do much better than an 856(oh maybe my 957) and they are fast.
Happy Xmas and Anyo Nuevo.
Terry
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Andy,
Many of us have done all kinds of conversions on all kinds of Proflexes.
(Your question reminded me of the guy who walks into the smoke filled poker den and asks "Hey, you guys playing cards?")
Risse Racing in California does the ultra premium shocks for both ends of your bike. More reasonable are spring conversions.
If you can't get Callum in Scotland, start surfing eBay for springs, shocks and all manner of stuff. Your bike was at least 10 years ahead of its time... so it's just right now.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes. Then we'll tell you how to do disk brakes!
Will in Texas
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Thanks for all the welcomes.
I got the impression that the scotish thing was a small operation, hopefully he can help with some springs.
I carried on searching after posting here and found Risse. I have sent them an email asking about proflex parts, i will report back here with prices and info etc.
I cant wait to get back on the bike. Ive ridden motorbikes for the last 6 or 7 years so i got out of cycling. I used to do a lot of cycling though, my 856 has been tweaked quite a bit over the years i was riding it...
Magura raceline brakes
X-lite ti saddle
X-lite bars
Spin 3 spoke carbon wheels
Hope ti skewers
Various little bits and pieces here and there also.
Ive managed to get some aftermarket magura brake pipes from ebay, i used to spend endless hours bleeding the brakes, they were pretty unreliable but i loved them cos of the feel. just cant beat them. hopefully the new pipes and glands will be better.
What triggered me to start cycling again, was the fact that im going to be leading some people through the cycling part of a fitness drive next year, I teach martial arts and there are a load of students going for their blackbelt next November, but part of the test, is constant fitness training, so they will be running and cycling as part of that, trouble is im nowhere near as fit as i used to be so ive got to get cycling as soon as poss so i can devise a plan for the coming year.
Anyone got any springs they want to sell!! :)
Andy.
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Where are you located? I will look thru my collection of stuff.
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I think Callum at Rapid Descent has closed the buisness side down for the xmas holiday period about a week ago.
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Where are you located? I will look thru my collection of stuff.
Im in East Midlands UK.
Is everyone here UK or is it international?
Andy.
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Very International. I am in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. I have had my 856 since new in 1996.
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Hi and welcome!
Yes, I can recommend a spring conversion for the 856 as long as you have the gold ODS shocks, my XP-X (856) has Speedsprings from 1998 (no longer available).
Before the spring Mod:
(http://idriders.com/proflex/files/ProFlex-XPX.jpg)
Callum's kit looks spot on and will sort your bike out. I'm pretty sure he's shut down for the holidays, look back in the New Year.
Magura's unreliable? surely the opposite? I've had a set on the XP-X for 10 years and never needed to do anything on them in all that time (except change brake blocks! which is so simple!)
I have a couple of 856 Pivot kit spares (RK002) left if you need one.
Good Luck and keep us posted!
Col
(SW Northamptonshire, UK)
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I'm in the UK and still lurk here a lot,
my MX project has taken over for a while.
I helped test RDS's 856 spring conversions front and rear for him and they are a good setup.
Fitting is straight forward as well.
If your going to change the oil follow the instructions to the letter and I would recommend using a heavy
weight fluid as elastomers had there own inherant
damping qualitys that is lost when you fit springs.
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Im in East Midlands UK.
Is everyone here UK or is it international?
Andy.
not only am I UK, but I am East Midlands too - Derby to be precise. Purple Gerbil is local too near Long Eaton. Welcome!
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Magura's unreliable? surely the opposite? I've had a set on the XP-X for 10 years and never needed to do anything on them in all that time (except change brake blocks! which is so simple!)
I have a couple of 856 Pivot kit spares (RK002) left if you need one.
Good Luck and keep us posted!
Col
(SW Northamptonshire, UK)
Think ive just been unlucky with the brakes, i love them and dont intend to change them, but i will be changing all the pipes and fittings, hopefully this will sort my probs, they just seemed to forever suck in air. that was regardless who set them up, i got to thinking it was me doing it all wrong (even though im not that hamfisted having built a kit car and i dabble with lots of mechanical stuff) so twice i let very experienced cycle mechs set-up and bleed them, still suffered the same probs though.
When i put on the new pipework i will look at everything to see if i can improve on it, like maybe adding sacrificial washers to the connections or something.
Andy.
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If your going to change the oil follow the instructions to the letter and I would recommend using a heavy
weight fluid as elastomers had there own inherant
damping qualitys that is lost when you fit springs.
I have both front and back sus in bits with the ODS shocks ready for me to service, just got to pick up some fork oil for them. ive come to a point though where i cant achieve an awfull lot more until i have springs (or the lovely Risse units i was looking at the other day!) I dont want to put the brake pipes on as they will get moved around too much and i want to do them last. its just a case of cleaning everything up i guess!
Andy.
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Colin, just noticed you are SW northants.
Im in Northampton!
Now then... this pivot kit!
Im guessing its worth me changing the pivot while i have the bike in bits. It doesnt seem to have a problem, but might be a good idea as the bike has done a fair bit of use over the years and it is 11 years old!
Have you changed one? whats it like to do? any special tools needed?
Let me know how much you want for it.
Cheers
Andy.
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Andy
don't have any spares to help unfortunately - but ride out of Market Harborough with the local club. Regular 2 hour ride on Weds evenings - got some members, and rides, from around Northampton.
Check out www.catsmbc.com
the 'where we ride' bit will be updated in the new year
cheers
Ade
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Just came across this site as well and im from Northampton, and i have a red 856.
is there something in the air?
Anyways hope to get some springs from rapid descent but really love the Risse shocks.
I have to get fit for the new year so i hope to see fellow Flexers around the area
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welcome camerabloke....856,are a nice bike.there ares till some parts available from K2(now iron horse see the sticky re ironhorse for contact) Enjoy your stay!Please fill in your profile just a wee bit more so i can differentiate you from bogus members!
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Just came across this site as well and im from Northampton, and i have a red 856.
is there something in the air?
Anyways hope to get some springs from rapid descent but really love the Risse shocks.
I have to get fit for the new year so i hope to see fellow Flexers around the area
Hi Darren,
You made it here then! :)
Andy.
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re the brakes....do you store your bike hanging on hooks or just keave em sitting upright?What sort of Motor bikes....to prove the international thing,as my user name suggests I am In New Zealand.
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re the brakes....do you store your bike hanging on hooks or just keave em sitting upright?What sort of Motor bikes....to prove the international thing,as my user name suggests I am In New Zealand.
My bike is just stored on its wheels.
What do you mean motor bikes?? ???
Andy.
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What do you mean motor bikes?? ???
Andy.
Thanks for all the welcomes.
Ive ridden motorbikes for the last 6 or 7 years so i got out of cycling.
Andy.
thats waht i mean by "what sort of motor bikes"
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thats waht i mean by "what sort of motor bikes"
Ahh yes, i forgot i had typed that!
Ive had a triumph 600 sports and a suzuki 1000 vtwin, i sold the SV1000 this year as it wasnt getting much use, instead i have taken up paramotoring, if you havnt seen it, its like paraliding with a parachute type wing but you have a two stroke motor on your back with a prop to allow you to fly anywhere you like and take off and land from flat ground. I live hours from any decent paragliding hill so its nice being able to go to a field and fly from flat ground. If you want to see it, my very first flight is on youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u1M_4kDqzQ
Oh and the first bike (sort of) i had was a three wheeler
www.grinnallcars.com
that was a fun piece of kit!
Its strange that its come full circle and im now itching to get back to pedal power!
Thats if Callum puts down those mince pies and answers his emails or gets his site going again!! *nudge nudge*
Andy.
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Andy
don't have any spares to help unfortunately - but ride out of Market Harborough with the local club. Regular 2 hour ride on Weds evenings - got some members, and rides, from around Northampton.
Check out www.catsmbc.com
the 'where we ride' bit will be updated in the new year
cheers
Ade
Oooh! Oooh! Oooh!
I'm in Northamptonshire!
Just 5 miles South West of Northampton, in the village of Gayton, beyween Towcester and NMP.
Bugger! Market Harborough is t'other side of NMP!
Maybe catch up with you some time if you come "daaan Saaath"
Col.
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Colin,
Pivots??
Still got a spare? ;)
Andy.
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Another Newbie saying hello.
Colin, I also have an XPX that I bought new in Sept 1997, looks just the same as yours.
Very interested in any kits, Pivot?, that you have or if you are doing another order.
I've still got the original Proflex & Girvin manuals & even the receipt.
Ordering the COR upgrade when Callum wakes up.
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check out www.catsmbc.com now the rides have been updated - one week there is a ride from sixfields
maybe we should have a 'Northamptonshire' thread!
cheers
Ade
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Hi Ade,
I may well check the sixfield ride, is it every week?
I wont do it just yet as i havnt ridden for a good few years, so i need to gradually get over the butt pains from the saddle first and get some stamina back.
Im not looking forward to not being able to sit down properly. Im definately not going to give in and buy a comfy saddle though!
Andy.
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Here are the list of rides for CATS mountain bike club (www.catsmbc.com)
Market Harborough/Northampton - aim to be back about 9, social pace, no dropping anyone, numbers vary from 3 to 20+
Last week was 33km and 330m ascent as a rough guide. Mixture of country lanes and hardpack bridle, little bit of field.
January
16th The Coach & Horses, Lubenham 6.45pm
23rd Kings Head, Spratton 6.45pm
30th Sixfields Leisure, Northampton 6.45pm
February
6th Rothwell town centre 6.45pm
13th Brixworth Country Park 6.45pm
20th Husbands Bosworth 6.45pm
27th The Bell, Mkt harb 6.45pm
March
5th Brampton Halt 6.45pm
12th North Kilworth 6.45pm
19th Wilbarston Village Hall 6.45pm
26th Stag's Head, Maidwell 6.45pm
April
2nd The Bell, Mkt. Harb 6.45pm
9th Kings Head, Spratton 6.45pm
cheers
Ade
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seems like northamptons the place to be, pity im in Durham ;)
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Heres a Spring question- I have the Gold ODS shocks that came with the elastomers, and I have some springs of different weight laying around. I am looking for one of the machined collars that allows use of the spring on my ODS. Does anyone have a spare??
Thanks-Keith
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Callum at Rapiddescentscotland.co.uk sold me one as a separate item recently. He does the whole conversion too, but was willing to sell just that one part.
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Thanks, O, I will inquire about that. I purchased a front kit from Callum- Straight butta as they say. Got some rear specific springs, and just wanna save a little ca$h, as the wifey is monitoring all..... ::)