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Fork Spring Compressor
- Thread starter MTRCYCLS
- Start date
Trials
Well-known member
Fork spring?
I've used spring compressors for her shocks but never a front fork, how would that even work?
If there is serious preload on the spring it's the socket or spanner you are going to need to press down on is it not?
... oh, just looked at your bike list, USD forks I take it.
I've used spring compressors for her shocks but never a front fork, how would that even work?
If there is serious preload on the spring it's the socket or spanner you are going to need to press down on is it not?
... oh, just looked at your bike list, USD forks I take it.
If the fork cartridges are anything like the Ohlins cartridges in my race bike, you can do it with a wrench without needing the special Ohlins tool. Back the preload setting completely out. Pull the inner damping rod up (with the locknut already in place), push the top of the spring down enough to slip a wrench over the damping rod braced against the top nut (top of spring only needs to be pushed down maybe 10mm in my case). Then you install the top cap and snug the locknut and fork cap in place.
The only thing the Ohlins special tool buys you is the ability to walk away from the half-finished job with the fork spring compressor in place and the fork cap not installed yet ...
If your fork cartridges require the springs to be compressed significantly more, with impractically large force, then you need that tool.
The only thing the Ohlins special tool buys you is the ability to walk away from the half-finished job with the fork spring compressor in place and the fork cap not installed yet ...
If your fork cartridges require the springs to be compressed significantly more, with impractically large force, then you need that tool.
MTRCYCLS
Well-known member
I have a cartridge kit from Matris. The fork spring compressors i see wont actually fit 100%. It wouldnt be a perfect tool but it will get the job done.
I'm looking at generic photos of Matris cartridges on google now. Try the wrench method. Have the front of the bike supported by a stem stand so that the forks are completely unloaded. Back preload off completely. After you undo the top cap, see if pushing down the spacer above the spring with reasonable force uncovers the locknut underneath the top cap (you will need to hold the fork cap to stop the damper rod from compressing while doing this - it's easy). If that works, see what the diameter of the center rod is (probably 8mm or 10mm), and see if you can compress the spring by hand and shove a wrench of that size over the center rod to hold the top spacer down (then you can use a 12mm or 13mm wrench to hold the locknut). Worth giving this a go before you chase around for that special tool.
MTRCYCLS
Well-known member
The oem internals are different than the matris stuff. I managed to wrestle with the first fork and i got it installed. Hands are killing me though. I should be able to finish the rest this weekend but I will def be buying a special tool because i plan one switching out the suspension on my track bike next spring.
Thanks for the help peeps.
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