New to Vector, new to the board

[Kjcolumbo]

Hey Everyone!

As the title states, new to Girvin/Pro-Flex (although I have always admired them), and new to the board.

Among other bikes, I have a 1990 Trek 930 that I have always wanted to add suspension to, but never did. I was at a lbs to pick up some new wheels, and while in the back going over my choices, I happend to have seen a pile of old forks. There was a Vector! I had always wanted one, so I asked the owner about it and he handed it to me for free! I was stoked. So in to my purchase went a threadless headset, and off I went with my new pride and joy!

So now that I have it, I need some help on things. I tried looking at the site for some info, but no offense, it is kinda hard to find things as there is only one category.  Don't want to sound like I am complaining though, because you guys have a lot of good info on here. Just harder to find than on other sites I enjoy too. So here is what I am looking for. I appologize if it is already on here, just didn't feel like looking through 140+ pages of posts.

1. Any idea what year? I know it is a Vector 1, based on the stem, but that is about all I know. I couldn't find any numbers stamped on, but there was a number on a sticker on one of the upper links. I don't have the number on me though, but I know it started with 11, and was only 5 or 6 digits long.

2. I know the MCU's are toast, and I saw Risse has a shock conversion, and RDI (?) in Scotland has replacement elastomers. Are there any other options out there? Are Mountain Speed Speed Springs still available anywhere? I also saw someone did a conversion with a Fox rear shock. Looking for a cheaper alternative, for now, to get it up and running. I'm not looking to race it, or bomb down any major trails or anything, just something for riding around, and taking some some trails that there are some small bumps and technical sections.

3. I currently have Magura HS-22's in the back, and was thinking about going hydraulic on the rims in the front eventually too. I was definitely thinking the brake booster for it, but anyone have any experience with hydro's on a vector? For now though, it will be the original V brakes.

4. Anything I need to know on the set up once I get the question 2 resolved? I know I will have to put some spacers on the steerer, but just wondering if there is anything else. The shop that gave it to me, used to sell Pro-Flex in Lancaster County, PA back in the day, so they should be able to help with it too.

Sorry if the pics are a little grainy, they were taken on my mobile this AM.

Thanks for the help in advance!

Scott

[Colin]

Ah! we don't make it easy! You have to spend your time as an acolyte in endless contemplation of the collected wisdom on here! NOT! <GRIN>

Just do a search for "vector" or whatever to narrow the field somewhat!

Wow! Here's a Brand New One!
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Girvin-Vector-Suspension-fork_W0QQitemZ190325980278

I run an XP-X (856) with Vector II's on it, so here's the benefit of my experience in answer to your Q's:

1) Pre 1996 is all I know about Vector 1's, yeh that'll be the serial number.

2)Yes, you can replace the MCU's from RDS, Speedsprings are no longer available, I've got a set for my XP-X, but you need an ODS shock to use them or the coil conversion from RDS; you've got the older more basic friction shock. So you could get a Risse (V. expensive) or put an ODS on it, or maybe even a GDT or an NR Shock if you could find one of these rare beasts.
http://idriders.com/proflex/files/Noleen,%20ODS,%20GDT%20Shocks.DOC
Cheapest option would be the MCU's.
It's worth reading this:
http://www.frostbytes.com/old-jimf/biking/vector.html

3) Yes, you can use Maggie's, my XP-X has HS-11's on front and back as original factory fitment, without any boosters, the Vector legs bow a little but there doesn't appear to be any issue. Actually the boosters don't fit very well, as I have tried.

4) Preferably, you need to refer to the set up guide in the Girvin Linkage Fork Owners Manual, but I don't know of an on-line copy of it.
Basically you're aiming to fit as many spacers as needed to achieve the distance of 1-3mm clearance between the top of the steerer tube and the top of the stem, i.e. the stem sits 1-3mm higher.

Hope this helps,
Col.

[Kjcolumbo]

Thanks Col! I did do some searches before I posted, but a lot of hits were returning back since a lot of people have vectors on their bikes. Learned some good info through that though, just not everything I was looking for.

Thanks for the links too. I saw the one on ebay, which is exactly like mine, except I have three MCU's with two spacers, that one only has 2 with 1 spacer. Ever see that before? I only remember ever seeing 2 MCU's. Maybe this is something special the shop/previous owner did. Who knows. The link about the GDT, ODS, and Noleens was also very interesting! I did see Frost's link before too, and already have it book marked to be able to use when I take the vector apart to clean and lub before I install on the 930.

Also, thanks for the set up/Magura info. I am going to hold off on putting them on int the front for now, more a monitary thing than anything, but I'll keep this in mind for the future. As for the 1-3mm, I should be able to reach that without a problem.

Really looking forward to getting this set up running. I'll probably just get the Elastomers from RDI, and in the future look at swapping it out for a different set up if I am unhappy.

Thanks again for the info!

Scott

[Colin]

Hmmm, yes I guess that the 3 MCU's is as a result of two of them squishing down and a 3rd one being added to compensate, rather than replacing the two, which is the correct set up, as Callum (RDS) will provide.
The best cheapish upgrade you could do would be to fit an ODS if one comes up on eBay, and then add a coil spring conversion from RDS.

Col.