Ray's Suspension Rebuild Thread

[rwalterk]

I'm gonna take it to Tige for the following:

F: revalve, respring
R: revalve, respring

~$520 out the door

Not too bad, especially compared to Racetech's prices.  My only challenge is I gotta get down there during the week somehow to drop off and pick up the bike (not open on weekends).   

[rwalterk]

Dropped off the bike at tige's... Riding the metrolink home as I type.    should have it back by next weekend.

[rwalterk]

Tige called me yesterday.  That pinch bolt that Jim & I couldn't loosen up (bottom of the left fork) was impossible to get out.  He thinks the guy at the tire shop cross-threaded it and just muscled it in there.  He's gonna have to drill it out.   

[amarilloNino]

man, good thing we didn't try to force it.  is he still gonna have it back to you by this weekend?

[rwalterk]

Yeah he said it should be finished this week.

[wlk12]

Tige called me yesterday.  That pinch bolt that Jim & I couldn't loosen up (bottom of the left fork) was impossible to get out.  He thinks the guy at the tire shop cross-threaded it and just muscled it in there.  He's gonna have to drill it out.   

Wonder why a tire shop guy would ever completely remove a fork pinch bolt   Oh well, doesn't matter - it'll be as good as new.

Bill K.

[JimT]

Wow that is messed up!

Bill is right, you don't need to remove that bolt to get the wheel off, just loosen it.  WTF?

[rwalterk]

Not sure why they would've taken it all the way out either, but they (Cycle Depot) were definitely the last ones to touch it.  It's disappointing because I like the service manager there and it's an easy place to deal with.  Now I'll have to think about taking the bike elsewhere for mounting tires.

[aprilmaybe]

Someone needs to get a tire mounter. I'd actually do it but not in an open, shared garage.

[rwalterk]

Someone needs to get a tire mounter. I'd actually do it but not in an open, shared garage.

That is a great f'n idea.  The first time would probably take me all day haha, but maybe it's a worthwhile investment so I can stop paying people $80 every time I mount new tires.  Also this way I can spend less on tires; I can remount street-only tires and keep my track tires fresh.

Any suggestions for a brand?  I've seen the no-mar thing which looks cool, but I've never done tire changes myself so I don't really know what to look for.

[rwalterk]

Bike's finally done, picking it up Monday AM.  Took Tige 3 hours (!) to get that bolt off.  I might sneak up to the twisties on my way to work.   

[amarilloNino]

nice, maybe we get a long ride going next weekend?

[rwalterk]

nice, maybe we get a long ride going next weekend?

yeah that'll work.

[rwalterk]

Picked up my bike today.  When I got to the shop and Tige had me jump on to take measurements, he realized the shock spring wasn't right (not enough sag) and took the time to remove it and change the spring.  The one he replaced it with still isn't quite where he wants it, but it's really close.  He said the stock spring=600, the replacement was a 525 (still too stiff), and what's in there now is a 500 (still slightly too stiff).

He said I should ride it and call him on Monday with a report.  In any case he said the front should be vastly improved and that the rear should be better but still might need a different spring depending on how it feels. 

[JimT]

Cool.