K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: vblacket on July 30, 2009, 07:04:44 am
-
Hello, I am the owner of a 1996 Proflex 856. The other day I was on a bike ride and stopped by a local bike shop to have a bar end tightened back up. Simple right? So the mechanic went to work and I went in the shop for a second. When I came back he shook my rear wheel and said I need new bushings and probably a new bolt set for the rear suspension. Then he told me that I was going to need to buy a new frame. Because the parts don't exist. After the bad news he then took me in side and started showing me +$2000 bike frames!!!!! Frankly, I was offended. Any suggestions? I don't want another frame. Thanks.
-
Hi, Dont worry its not as bad as you've been led to think.
First, buy your self this kit. Its all you need to rebuild the swingarm pivot and take out all the play in the back end.
Second, Show the the guy in the shop how much it cost to rebuild your frame, show him two fingers and smile as you ride away.....
Chris
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/K2-NOLEEN-Pro-Flex-657-Bearing-Seal-RK002-Rebuild-Kit_W0QQitemZ390067935993QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMountain_Bikes?hash=item5ad1dc5af9&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
-
you might even find stripping it down, regreasing and retightening reseats it all and you don't even need the kit... have a go ;)
-
Excellent! Thanks for all the help guys. I'm so happy to now have some advice on this.
-
Any one know where to find a new bolt set for the rear swing arm on my 856? Or is this something that any old set of bolts can take care of? Thank you.
-
Any one know where to find a new bolt set for the rear swing arm on my 856? Or is this something that any old set of bolts can take care of? Thank you.
Most bike shops will have these bolts. They are metric though. Ebay has lots of ti bolts, but I think I would stick with steel for the upper shock bolt, as all you weight may shear the Ti. :o
Terry
-
Nice!! Thanks for all the help. Good to finally get in touch with people who actually know what they are talking about. ;D
-
yes definitely steel for the upper bolt - I have seen them sheer at least twice - toughened steel if possible
-
As Orange says, probably just a strip down and rebuild will be fine, I bet you won't need a new bolt as it doesn't have any rotational wear forces on it.
At worst, the Pivot Axles may have worn, but it's more likely the flanged plastic bearings will have worn out and the RK002 kit will replace those.
I've done my 856 (XP-X) several times and it's a really easy job.
My pivot bearings have lasted 12 years and they're still going strong.
See instructions here:
http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10284/856_RK002_rebuild.pdf (http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10284/856_RK002_rebuild.pdf)
and diagram here:
http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10284/97_spc657_pivot.pdf (http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10284/97_spc657_pivot.pdf)
Don't forget to do the two fingers bit to the LBS!
<GRIN>
Col.
-
Thank you. Thanks for the great links. I will plan on taking the bike by to show the fool that tried to sell me a new frame. I have learned a bunch in the last few days alone on this forum. Great stuff!! I feel I can keep this 856 on the road for a long time to come.
vblacket
-
8) post up some pics if you can when done.
-
.........I feel I can keep this 856 on the road for a long time to come.
Like.......Forever... ;D...................<GRIN>
Sorry, just realised those links were duff, I've corrected them now.
Any probs, ask Q's!
Col.
-
Cool. I will try and find a camera. I guess I just click the insert image button.
-
you'll need to host the image first on something like imageshack.us and stick the link in using the insert image button. or you can just attach the image.
-
Hi, Dont worry its not as bad as you've been led to think.
First, buy your self this kit. Its all you need to rebuild the swingarm pivot and take out all the play in the back end.
Second, Show the the guy in the shop how much it cost to rebuild your frame, show him two fingers and smile as you ride away.....
Chris
[url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/K2-NOLEEN-Pro-Flex-657-Bearing-Seal-RK002-Rebuild-Kit_W0QQitemZ390067935993QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMountain_Bikes?hash=item5ad1dc5af9&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14[/url]
Can you use this kit for the Easton Carbon Swing Arm on a Proflex 3000, or does anyone know where I may find that kit?.........Or is that Carbon Swing arm 857 compatible and where might I find that? Thanks Guys.
Still Commuting on my Proflex 3K.......14 mi Round Trip on dirt roads in farm country up in northern Vermont.
Yo
-
Hey Yo
You need a different kit for your 3000.
But you are right the swing arm from a 857 and 957 are the same and will fit.
This is the kit you need:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/K2-NOLEEN-RK001-Pro-Flex-9-Style-Frame-Rebuild-Kit_W0QQitemZ390067935507QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMountain_Bikes?hash=item5ad1dc5913&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262
Chris
-
Thanks Spokes! That's the kit I'm looking for. You Da Man!
For those with snapped Swing Arm bolts. Usually you can find them in hardened steel in your local hardware store. My Swingarm bolt is an 8mm (Proflex 3K) I forget the length. I'll check the length and repost. The last steel bolt I used, snapped as did the original Ti bolt. The hardest part was getting a metal shop to unscrew the snapped bolt from the swingarm spindle. They used a combo of heat and careful teasing. If that spindle gets ruined you're out of luck, unless you can find a new one.
Initially, I left that steel bolt in the spindle too long and it rusted, fatigued and snapped. After two trips to the metal (gun) factory to release seized bolts I learned my lesson. Now I replace the upper spindle bolt every year. (commuter bike 2k miles per year on this puppy!) When I replace it I coat the entire bolt, threads and all, in a thin layer of never-seize compound and then screw it in. No issues in 4000 miles since doing this.
Enjoy Yo
-
Didn't we buy a batch of Carbon x57 Swing-arms when someone was selling them on eBay?
But, they were bought as spares for x57 owners and not as "upgrades" for mere 3000 owners.........<GRIN>
They do pop up on eBay from time to time. There seemed to be a lot of spares floating around with dealers.
Col.
-
I put mine on a Beast and turned it into an 857 lookalike. My mate now has it :)
-
Good to know about another ProFlex being used as a daily commuter.