Pro Flex 555

[singletrackmac]

I just picked up a beautiful Pro Flex 555 in good to great condition. I have wanted a Pro Flex 853 ever since I first saw one back in the early 90's out on the trails while on my 89' Trek 820 and figure this 555 is probably the closest thing I'll get to a 853. I thought full suspension was the coolest thing ever back then and that Girvin Vector shock is still the meanest looking suspension system to this day.

I wanted to see if anyone knew if the 555's frame was the same as the 853. I know they both had an aluminum traingle frame, but I am not sure if the 555 is double-butted and not sure how to tell. Does anyone know?

Also, I have a Girvin AL fork from an 856 I want to use it to replace the Girvin ATF currently on the 555. Does anyone know if you can still find the unified lower link?

[Spokes]

I've only ever seen one uni lower link for sale on eBay, but you don't need it. Just fit the Vectors from the 856 as is. Keep them serviced and well lubed and they will see you fine. Not sure about the frame but if it rides nice just ride it and enjoy it! Still the best make bike out there. It's good to be different!

Chris

[Willie_B]

Welcome to the board, glad you found us.

[Thunderchild]

Here is a 953.  I do not recall if it was double butted or not.  I sold it many years ago.

Thunderchild

[Spokes]

It fair to say the front end was very strong though!!

Chris

[singletrackmac]

Ya, can't say that about the Girvin ATF that is currently on the bike, that's why I am replacing it with a Girvin AL. Although, the ATF wasn't that bad of a ride for only  1.75 inches of travel, just too much flex for 220lbs.

[kiwi]

the al wont have much more travel if any

[fyrstormer]

Here is a 953.  I do not recall if it was double butted or not.  I sold it many years ago.

Thunderchild

Rear Wheel Drive...yer doin' it wrong.

[singletrackmac]

the al wont have much more travel if any

I am replacing the ATF not for more travel, but for strength and stiffness. I assume that the AL will be very stiff and much stronger than the ATF. I have always had problems with telescoping front forks not being as stiff as I want. Plus I have always wanted this type of pivot fork ever since I first saw one back in the day.

[Spokes]

As long as you keep them well maintained and greased they are an awesome short travel fork. Go with a spring shock instead of the elastomers as its a much better ride. You'll get different opinions on this site but in my opinion they are a great fork when used for the sort of ridding they were designed for.
Ive got crosslinks on three of my bikes and I've been riding with type of fork for 15 years with nothing but praise for them. They are not everyone's taste but you'll never be stuck for conversation as they attract attention where ever you ride.

Chris

[singletrackmac]

Replaced the Girvin ATF with the Girvin AL this weekend. Took some quick pics on the first ride today.

Thanks to who ever added the 1996 Girvin AL Owners Manual. It made the switch much easier. Also, the info on how to adjust the axle path is awesome. The fork was originally set up in Anti-Pogo Mode so my first two rides with the fork on the 856 was pretty harsh. I tuned the fork to Sensitive Mode before the first ride on the 555 and it made a huge difference! I love how this fork has a 3 way adjust with the Noleen shock; dampening, preload and axle path adjustment. The fork is very stiff, I think stiffer than my new 2012 Rockshox Recon I put on my Gary Fisher Cake.

The only issue I had with switching the forks was the head tube height difference. I got lucky at my lbs who happened to have 5 brand new 1" ring spacers that I needed to get the upper link mount the correct distance from the lower links. You can see them on the close up pic of the headset.

This bike was fantastic today on the tight single-tracks I ride in the park across the street from my house. It has a low BB for a FS bike, about 1.25 inches lower than my 856 (measured with the 2" travel ATF on the 856). This makes for a great handling bike with a low center of gravity. Also, only having about 2.5 inches of possible travel means I can get my handle bars nice and low which keeps my weight forward and the front tire firmly planted on the trail. This, mixed with the ultra stiff Girvin AL set to Sensitive Axle Path Mode has the front end eating up the small bumps while griping the trail tightly in the turns with no feeling of the front end trying to get away from me on tight turns like with my 5"x5" Gary Fish Cake. Can't wait to get it out on the trails tomorrow.

I ordered new bearings and seals/spacers for the Girvin AL and a new bearing frame rebuild kit for my 856. I also got some new "Girvin" decals for the AL that I will put on when I rebuild the fork.

I did want to know if anyone knew where I could find a frame rebuild kit for the 555's rear pivot or a bearing kit that would work with this style frame and pivot. Let me know if you have an idea.

[Colin]

Wow, I've never seen one of these"retro" Noleen NR-1 or NR-2's on a Vector fork before, this was a retrofit item in '97 when they bough Noleen.

The Vector 2 / Girvin AL will accept a Noleen NR-1 "retro" or NR-2 "retro" shock. The "retro" means that the shock has been redesigned and shortened (from the standard Noleen front shocks) to fit in the smaller area and to provide the correct amount of travel for the Vector 2 / Girvin AL. These shocks will work with the Noleen Dedicated Stem or with the Upper Link Mount. 


re: 555 pivot rebuild kit

I believe you need a  RK003 "Attack Pivot Rebuild Kit"



This Kit fits:
1995: 555, 455
1996: 656
1997: Attack, Reptile

(also, fits my 962)

see instructions:
http://idriders.com/proflex/smf/index.php?action=media;sa=media;in=297;dl

available on eBay USA
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/K2-NOLEEN-RK003-Pro-Flex-Attack-Style-Frame-Rebuild-Kit-/400332516702?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d35ad6d5e

Col.

[Spokes]

Glad it worked out. Do Noleen do a Nr1 for the rear of this frame as well?

Chris

[Colin]

Glad it worked out. Do Noleen do a Nr1 for the rear of this frame as well?

Chris

I've never seen one, in fact I'm not aware of any after market shock replacement for this frame. I plan to make my 962 as either a virtual hard-tail, or maybe use some rubber "LandRover" style bushes to give it a bit of "Boing"

Col.

[singletrackmac]

Glad it worked out. Do Noleen do a Nr1 for the rear of this frame as well?

Chris

Attached is a picture if the rear Noleen shock on the 856 I got the Girvin AL from. This obviously will not fit on my 555 so I think I might just cough up the $50 bucks and order the replacment elastomer shocks availble through whatever that suspension web site is.

I didn't think they made a Noleen replacement shocks for the Girvin Vectors, and I thought this Noleen shock was quite common on the Girvin AL's and other models after this. But this is all based off of pictures of old Girvin vectors and AL's I have seen, I don't really know.

The Noleen shock does work surprisingly well and the dampening makes a big difference.