Elastomer booster for Vector

[shovelon]

I am playing with my carbon Vector fork that came with my 965 LE.

Iron horse sent me medium sponges by error which are too soft, and they don't have any stronger. Too bad too, as they work really well.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-6/1036595/956frame2.JPG

I am contempating a preload or assist system internally of the shaft housing, as it is empty. Has anyone done this?

Terry

[kiwi]

are you thinking of a spring inside the housing?Might be a bit bouncy,ie rebound too fast

[shovelon]

Yes, I am thinking of a spring inside the housing. Just enough to make up the difference of the weaker medium elastomer, possibly with another preload screw that gets around the upper bushing.

I am not worried about quick rebound, as I like a fast action. The booster spring should not overide the sponge to much I hope. In any case, this is a restoration project, that I would still like to ride.

The amazing thing, is that this shock weighs in at 190 grams, and is smooth and plush as all getout. I never had the opportunity to ride on sponges, and am really amazed with it.

[kiwi]

yes when i first got my 756 the suspension seemed really good.make sure you still havent got the black plastic seals,the white seals from the crosslink fit and there is much less stiction.From what you say you may already have swapped those out.Make sure you use a non petroleum grease I am sure that the petroleum based one contribute to the elastomer problems

[shovelon]

I does have the white plastic seals.

Grease, I did not think of petroleum versus non petroleum. I will get rid of all of it.

I took the bike out yesterday afternoon and really hammered the fork. I need just a little more preload so as to top out when climbing. It bobs alittle. As far as descending, I am so amazed. Very quick action, and soaks up the high speed washboard terrain.

I hammered the bike so hard that one of the swingarm dropouts delaminated from the carbon. Have a spare so no worries.

Thanks for the response Paul.

Terry

[willem]

Terry,

Now you've got me thinking...

To get my "lightweight XC 856" down to a good weight and add sharpness to the steering, I put a X-Link Elite back on the bike. It worked very well, and I still get disc brakes.

BUT... the front end bobs wildly while climbing or hammering. I even went to a much stronger spring (thank you Simon!) without much improvement.

Do you think elastomers might be a good solution? Or maybe try your elastomer/spring combo?

Short of saving up for a platform shock, I'm at a loss. And y'know, another $400 in to that bike is kinda pushing the limits of common sense...

Any advice from your recent experience?

[shovelon]

Will

The elastomers won't be strong enought unless you weigh 150 lbs or less.

I found some conical springs that may fit into the shock body. If it works, I will forward you the information. I am just hoping that I have a 1/4 inch clearance left for them to compress completely.

Terry

[shovelon]

  Well after tinkering for a bit with the shock apart, I decided that an internal spring  won't help much. So I located some springs that can wrap around the elastomers. At 2 inches length, it was a bit short, so I stretched it out to 3 inches and put  it on. It fits perfectly. Rode it around the street for a bit and jumped some curbs. Is better, but I have my eye on one stiffer and stock at 3 inches long.

 I am going out for a ride tonight to evaluate further. When I decide the next step, I will do so and do a final report with details.

Terry