Proflex 954 Questions.

[w98seeng]

I bought a Proflex 954 off of Craigslist ($60) with a Garvin fork a couple of days ago. I have a few questions about the bike.

1) Are there bushings or bearings at the pivots?
2) I have read a few threads about replacing the shocks and the term 'ODS Shock' keeps popping up. Can someone explain what an ODS Shock is? I have looked around the net, but found no explanations.
3) Is this frame a 1994 model? I searched Bikepedia, and the only entry they have for a 954 is from 1994, but no picture so I can't see if it's the same.

The pic is from the Craigslist ad.


Thanks,
Ian

[w2zero]

ODS = Oil Damped Shock.  It would be interesting to pull the shock assembly on your bike apart.  Take pictures and measurements with a dial caliper and post it here.  If there are any interchangeable parts they might be found on this forum.  Barring that, it might be rebuildable by a mountain bike or motorcycle shock service.  If that is not possible, then figure out what rate of damping needed then start haunting industrial equpment suppliers and look at shock absorbers for production line material handling equipment.

[w98seeng]

Thanks for the info w2zero. I took the shock apart this morning and there is a rubber piece with a hole through it at the top of the shock tube and a rubber seal on the piston, that's it, nothing else inside.

If I were to try to find another shock to put on there, it has to be a specific design as the mounting points are totally different than any other suspension frame.

Ian

[w2zero]

" there is a rubber piece with a hole through it at the top of the shock tube and a rubber seal on the piston, that's it, nothing else inside."

Interesting.  Maybe oil damped and gas charged? 

[TDIfurby]

It should be a 1994 based on the fact I know my 957 is a 1997.  I assume there was also a 955 and 956 for 1995 and 1996?

[w98seeng]

It should be a 1994 based on the fact I know my 957 is a 1997.  I assume there was also a 955 and 956 for 1995 and 1996?

Well, this does make it easy to tell the date then.

Thanks,
Ian

Here are pics of the shock/damper. The rubber piece with the hole is the 3rd pic.
The hex head bolt on the top goes to nothing as you can see in the 4th pic.

[shovelon]

I am almost sure that is some form of ODS. Very basic o rings and 30 wt. oil.

There should be some details on ODS overhaul somewhere.

Terry

[Colin]

Isn't it more likely to be a friction shock similar to what the x55 series had, although mounted differently?

Bottom line is,,,,,,is there any Oil in it? if not then it ain't an "Oil Damped Shock" <GRIN>

Col.

[w2zero]

I wonder, if that silver collar that wraps around the "shock" and attaches to the seat tube were threaded inside....  If it were the right diameter and threaded, an ODS might fit there.  I do have the matching thread tap for the ODS.

[orange]

Isn't that the 'GDT' (Girvin Damping Technology) like those used on the '95 range rather than the 'ODS' (Oil Damped Shock)?

[w2zero]

I have a GDT shock that is coil/oil and gas charged.  It's a  smaller version of a Noleen or any other shock really. 

[purple gerbil]

The shock itself has very tight seals and seem as tho it might hold oil,but will need some form of washer on the shaft
 for the oil to pass through for the damping.
The top of the shaft (cone bit) can be removed to slip in some sort of washer for the damping.
The top hex bolt is just there to hold the bump stop sliding up and down,the bumper just clips on.
The mounting bracket is bonded.
Im in the process of trying to shorten a noleen nr4,need to heat up the bonding to remove the top half from the threaded section
so i can shorten its total length,then need to shorten the main shaft and find a way to attach it to the strut itself.....

Oh then i need to find a smaller spring and find out what lbs i need for my weight.....

Did i mention that im now the new owner of trajectory's 954...

[Colin]

Isn't that the 'GDT' (Girvin Damping Technology) like those used on the '95 range rather than the 'ODS' (Oil Damped Shock)?

No, it isn't.

GDT's were later ('96 & '97) than ODS's, not earlier, they were Girvin's attempt to make a proper air oil coil spring damper as the ODS does not theoretically work that well with a coil spring (although I've never had any major issues with it) In the end they bought Noleen and so stopped development of the GDT.

Col.

[pczeilon]

Colin has it correct.  It's just a very simple friction/air damping device & bump stop.  Really over engineered IMO which makes it appear as if oil could be used.  Just clean, grease & you are good to go.