Proflex 956 World Cup Design

[stacsin]

Hello, I have a Proflex 956 World Cup Design. First question: where can i buy coil springs to replace my melted elastomers?? ( i live in Phoenix AZ where it gets really hot and the bike was in my garage and melted my MCUs - bummer)
Second question: How rare is this bike and how much is it worth? Don't worry, my feelings will not be hurt!!
I love this bike but don't know much about it, if you have any wisdom about it, i would love to hear from you!!
Feel free to contact me however you want....
e-mail-ssime2@cox.net
cell- 602-509-7897

P.S. would love to meet someone located in Phoenix area that knows about this bike!

Thanks and Be Well,
Stacy

[DugB]

Hi Stacy,
I responded to your email and sent a few pics of my 956LE today...but it seems that the 956 might be a design more like the 856, whereas my frame is more like the 957.
If you want an off-the-shelf spring conversion the only way to get one is used. There are two current vendors that sell elastomers, and they're supposed to be pretty good. I think one is www.suspensionforkparts.com or something like that. You'll see links to it the Buy/Sell thread.
There are certainly springs available that will work, but it's the top and bottom retainers that are a little more specialized. You can always replace the shocks with new ones from Noleen/J6 or Risse...both companies make replacements, but it's a more expensive proposition because you're replacing the entire shock unit.
The 956 must be very similar to the 955 with the exception of the dampening unit (the think onto which you slide the elastomers) used for the shock. The 955 used the friction damper, but your 956 probably has the gold-colored ODS units. If you find the parts for the spring conversions then the ODS is the better of the two units to have.
If your 956 still has the Girvin Pro-Carbon fork then I assume the value to be significantly higher than without it. I once paid nearly $300 for just the fork. I did snag a really nice 955 frame a year ago on eBay, though for around $120. If the frame and Pro-Carbon fork are in nice shape, with a good amount of the polish and no dents or cracks, then maybe $375 - $500 for the frameset?
Am I crazy here people?
- Doug :-)

[DugB]

I sent Stacy some info re: options for replacement elastomers and other shock options for the 856/956, but in case anyone else is interested (likely common knowledge by most of you):

Suspension Fork Parts.com...you'd need two of his kits, one for the front and another for the rear:
    Rear:  http://www.suspensionforkparts.net/eshop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=98
    Front:  http://www.suspensionforkparts.net/eshop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=97

Risse makes some super nice air shocks for these bikes (on the pricey side):
    http://www.risseracing.com/airshocks.shtml
        ...I use a Genesis on the front and an Astro 5 on the rear of my 956

Noleen/J6 also still make complete units for these bikes. Also a little pricier. A spring shock will yield a more supple ride than an air shock made for the Proflex (based on my Risse experiences), but the air shock will give more usable travel with more linear compression resistance (I'm sure someone will correct me on this, hehehe):

   Front: This one has adjustable return, but is more expensive: http://shop.noleenj6.com/product.sc?productId=35&categoryId=7
              This one has a single return setting (non-adjustable aside from spring preload): http://shop.noleenj6.com/product.sc?productId=34&categoryId=7
   Rear: Adjustable return: http://shop.noleenj6.com/product.sc?productId=39&categoryId=7
             Adjustable compression and return: http://shop.noleenj6.com/product.sc?productId=33&categoryId=7
             This one has a single return setting (non-adjustable aside from spring preload): http://shop.noleenj6.com/product.sc?productId=38&categoryId=7

[fyrstormer]

If the frame is still in good shape and you want to keep the bike for the foreseeable future, it's definitely worth the cost to get a coil-spring shock. The responsiveness is SO much better than the old elastomer shocks.

[stacsin]

Thanks guys!! I'm looking for a set of springs that will fit the Girvin ODS shocks. If anybody has a set they would be willing to part with please let me know
Thanks again,
Stacy

[w2zero]

stacsin, you'll have to divulge your weight to get the right spring rates

[stacsin]

I'm 170lbs.  Do you have any springs?

[DugB]

I have a rear, with the top & bottom washers, if someone has a front with the washers. Ideally the "washers" would be the machined ones like RDS sold with their spring conversion.

- Doug

[stacsin]

Hi Doug, sorry I didn't get back to your e-mail!! I will respond later today.. Meanwhile, how much for the rear spring?? I've also located a 856 that already has the springs, the lady thinks it as the Girvin ODS shocks.  I'm going to look at it tomorrow. I believe those shocks would work on my 956.

Stacy

[DugB]

No problem, Stacy :-)

The spring is on a frame I'm not currently using, so you're free to use it until you find another...wouldn't want you to miss riding season. I don't know that I can really sell it, because the 856 frame it's on is somewhat useless. If you end up looking at an 856 with springs and the gold colored ODS units, then that's probably what you need. If you have a smartphone and want a second opinion while you're there, I'll send my phone number...you can text me a pic of each of the shocks and I'll tell you if they'll work while you're still at the person's house.

- Doug :-)