Newbie here with a few questions

[wolverrine]

Just bought this Proflex a few days ago and have a couple of questions

Just trying to get some parts to rebuild the shocks and frame.  The top bar reads 657.  I dont see any parts kits for a 657.  Is it the same frame as a 856 model.  And lastly will Simon's bearing swingarm conversion work for this bike.

[Willie_B]

If you have ODS shocks here is some rebuild info. It's on this site.
http://idriders.com/proflex/resources/ods_service.pdf

Your pic is small so hard to see details. Do you have a carbonfiber swingarm? If so then your bike is like the 857. The 856 has a metal swingarm and it mounts differently. There are rebuild kits on eBay for the front forks. You can change the front and rear springs to better match you weight also. Glad to see another Proflex still in use and welcome aboard to the site.

[wolverrine]

Hey Willie,

Cool..then it seems I have a 856 since it has a metal swingarm.  I found the rebuild kits on ebay also, just like you said.  Now I just have to figure out if I want to do the sealed bearing conversion on the swingarm. 

Thanks,
Mark

[Colin]

Yes, a 657 is really an "x56" type bike (756, 856, XP-X etc), so all discussion and instructions for them applies.
One of the last, so it'll probably have Black GDT shocks, for which I have never seen rebuild instructions:
http://idriders.com/proflex/files/Noleen,%20ODS,%20GDT%20Shocks.DOC
You can replace them with ODS or Noleen shocks with the conical end, if you ever see one for sale.

Refer to these diagrams:
http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10284/97_spc657.pdf
http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10284/97_spc657_pivot.pdf
http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10284/97_spc657_strut.pdf

and this kit for the rear pivot:
http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10284/normal_RK002-
and instructions:
http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10284/856_RK002_rebuild.pdf

Col.

[wolverrine]

Colin,

Cool, now I can order the correct rebuild kits and parts for the bike.  The links to the bike diagrams are awesome, saves me a ton of time trying to search for them.  The shocks I have on the bike are Girvin ODS and seem to be in need of some attention.  All though they seem to work fine, they have a lot of oil buildup on them.  Do you think I need to rebuild or replace them?

Thanks a million Colin,

Mark

[Colin]

No probs Mark!
I keep the info close to hand for maintaining my XP-X (also one of the last of the "x56" type bikes here in the UK).
Where are you? UK, US or elsewhere?
Best thing for you and your new purchase sounds to be like doing a full strip of the main pivot and Crosslink or Vector forks and inspect them for wear. If you're lucky it'll just need a re-grease and you'll be fine, but if the nylon bearings have worn, then you'll need the RK002 kit for the rear pivot and a RK006 kit for the Crosslink/Vector bearings and a RK004 seal kit for Crosslinks or a RK005 for Vector Seals (these kits seem to be pretty identical and are probably interchangeable).

Great! You've got ODS on there so there is a possibility of a rebuild if needed.
Not sure what you mean by "buildup" on them, but basically strip them off of the bike, remove the springs and give them a good clean and then see if you have compression and rebound resistance and if they do then you're OK!

keep asking questions if you're not sure!

Col.

[wolverrine]

Hey Colin,

Thanks again for setting me up with the info on the rebuild kits.  It takes out the guess work of ordering the correct rebuild kit.
Can you please send me pictures of your bike or if anyone else reading this please send theirs also.
arumat@sbcglobal.net

Thanks Collin

Mark
from somewhere near Sacramento, California

[Colin]

Look in my gallery:
http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/index.php?cat=10284

Col.