front damping screw help

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charlie2ie
Posts: 59
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2011 8:14 pm
Location: ROI

front damping screw help

Post by charlie2ie »

Hi, I am trying to adjust the damping on the front forks. Screw on the left fork screws right down into the leg approx 2mm and the screw on the right leg protrudes 2mm when tightened in fully. I am sure this is not right, any ideas what could be wrong.
Also new fork seal on right leg weeping after approx 500 miles. Slightly pitted so I suppose I will have to buy new tubes, any idea who is the cheapest,
typical bike, seems to soak up money like a sponge :?
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benny hedges
Posts: 6110
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:09 pm
Location: Warrington

Re: front damping screw help

Post by benny hedges »

you will need to take the adjuster off the top to see if it's been assembled properly m8.... dont expect miracles though, the damping doesnt do much with std springs.

re the pitting.... on my old cbx there was a few marks in the chrome so i drilled into the tube, through the chroming and filled it with plastic metal, then wet n dry'd it flat.
didnt leak & looked ok :thumbup:
You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when posting something which you later rely on in quote. Anything you do say may be ripped to sh*t.
tony.mon
Posts: 16299
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:46 pm
Location: Norf Kent

Re: front damping screw help

Post by tony.mon »

When you strip the forks, usually to fit new seals or replace fork oil, you have to unscrew the adjusters form the damper rod inside. This has a long thread, and a locknut.
It's easy to screw the adjuster set back on and tighten the locknut but not have the thread fully seated, and so the tapered lower point on the rod seats earlier, leaving lots of adjuster screw showing.
The important thing is to seat the adjusters, then unscrew the both the same amount; don't worry about what's showing if it's uneven.
However, the larger preload adjusters, which are round with two flats machined in for a spanner, have to have the same amount of rings showing.

You can strip and rebuild the forks properly if it bothers you- now that you've noticed it, especially as it's right under your nose, and in your line of sight....
It's not falling off, it's an upgrade opportunity.
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AMCQ46
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Joined: Mon May 11, 2009 4:54 pm
Location: Worcestershire / Warwickshire border

Re: front damping screw help

Post by AMCQ46 »

I agree with Tony on this. Sounds like when it was apart for new seals the screw and locknut on the 2 part damper rod has been set in a different place, making the whole rod longer. So when the adjuster needle is seated there will be more screw showing on the top adjuster. Is not effecting the suspension as long as you set both screws the same #of turns from fully in, but it will look odd.
AMcQ
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charlie2ie
Posts: 59
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2011 8:14 pm
Location: ROI

Re: front damping screw help

Post by charlie2ie »

Thanks lads, I will have a look at it when I change the fork tubes. :thumbup:
The forks are not badly pitted and I sanded them smooth before fitting new seals, am disappointed they didn't last longer.
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