Forks - Fireblade, rebuild standard, or Rogered?

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Mad Ax
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Forks - Fireblade, rebuild standard, or Rogered?

Post by Mad Ax »

The forks on my '97 Storm are getting past their sell-by date now. It's OK for commuting to work and back and hasn't done anything unpleasant yet, but if I hit a big pothole they have a tendency to go Clunk in a rather disconcerting fashion. After 10 years of ritual abuse on the Queen's highways, this is no surprise.

The way I see it, I have 3 choices:

1) The previous owner told me that certain Blade forks go straight into the trees and the standard wheel and brakes will bolt straight back on. Is this true, and if so, which model Blade to I need to look out for? What sort of money do they usually go for on Ebay?

2) Have my forks rebuilt with new springs and seals by a local bike workshop. (I could do it myself, but I'm just far too busy these days and have a tendency to bodge things if I haven't go the right tools). I've heard there are uprated Ohlins springs or similar, although for someone of my riding ability it's probably not necessary.

3) Have my forks Rogered. My hunting through the forums has turned up a clever gent called Roger who is apparently good at this sort of thing, and apparently charges £220 for the privelage, which sounds like a bargain considering the praise I've seen sung in his direction. Where is Roger based, how can I get hold of him, and what is his turnaround usually like on fork rebuilds?

Any other suggestions?

Many thanks in advance for any helpful advice offered. :)
"Years of delivering pizzas has taught him to drive like this"
--Sheriff John Bunnell, ret'd
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sirch345
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Post by sirch345 »

Hi Mad Ax,
Kaz is right, what Roger doesn't know about Firestorms isn't worth knowing.

If you decide to fit different forks you're still going to need to have them up graded to really feel the benefit, so that will work out quite a lot more expensive. Obviously it's up to you which route you take, it all depends on what you want and available funds of course :D

Chris.
Mad Ax
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Post by Mad Ax »

cool - thanks for the link to Roger's site, if I can post him my forks that saves a whole lot of hassle, and also saves the fiddly nonsense of having to get alternative forks, then make sure they fit, then mess around getting things machined, then probably rebuild them because they're in no better condition than my old ones anyway...

Will probably get a quote for a standard rebuild from my local place anyway but will have to decide - standard or modified... decisions decisions ;)
"Years of delivering pizzas has taught him to drive like this"
--Sheriff John Bunnell, ret'd
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Pete.L
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Post by Pete.L »

Another alternative is JHS Racing in Keynsham
http://www.jhsracing.co.uk
They did my SP this summer and it's fantastic compaired to how it was.
They also offer a ride in ride out service if you need it.

Pete.l
My new ride is a bit of a Howler and I love to make her Squeal
Mad Ax
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Post by Mad Ax »

Cheers for the link Pete - JHS is on the same estate as my mate Harris, who I've got to see at some point in the next week or two anyway... Will pop in and ask for a quote.

I'm not beyond whipping the forks out of the bike myself if it'll save me a few quid tho :)
"Years of delivering pizzas has taught him to drive like this"
--Sheriff John Bunnell, ret'd
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chaz
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Post by chaz »

you could have a word with Mark Hammond at MH Racing Corsham.
http://www.mhracing.com/
done a few sets for me everything from mx to a thundercat set on a 1200 harley sportster. last set were around the £180 all in.
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