Forks are sticking

Message

MetricRider · Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:58 am

Not telescoping smoothly. They work, but they stick a bit, delaying the weight transfer when I start braking as well as when I lean on them. I did drop the bike on Saturday while out riding, damn slow speed u-turns up hill... But there was no damage, so I don't think it's related.

It's a 97 Vulcan 800 classic, I've had it a little over 2 weeks now(first bike). It has only 7800 miles on it, so I'm thinking that the previous owner didn't ride it that much and it may have been sitting for a while before I got it - bought it from a shop.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me whether this is something I should worry about and worth a trip to my maintenance shop. Could it just be dirty? Do I need to clean it or will it work itself out with riding?

DivideOverflow · Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:14 am

Change the fork oil... if it still does it after that, I'd take it to a shop.

TechTMW · #3 Unread post by **TechTMW** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:41 am

I think you tweaked the forks a tad when you dumped it. Not all damage is visible! Your stiction is probably from the upper or lower triple clamp twisting a bit in the dump.

GET IT FIXED NOW or you'll start to wear away your stanchions which will result in busted oil seals and may require new stanchions ($$$)

flynrider · #4 Unread post by **flynrider** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 8:42 am

I'm with Tech. Sticking forks is almost always an indication of misalignment. The fact that you dropped the bike and the forks started sticking is probably not a coincidence.

MetricRider · Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:43 am

well, I made an appointment to have the shop look at it on Monday, dropping it off on Saturday. Guess I'm not riding this weekend

MetricRider · Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:17 am

So the guy at the shop tells me the forks were definitely not twisted or damaged. He's ordered a new fork seal for me, so hopefully that will take care of the problem, along with a fork oil change.

TechTMW · #7 Unread post by **TechTMW** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:53 am

He couldn't tell you WHY it was sticking, but is going to throw parts at it anyway? Might be time to switch mechanics?

MetricRider · Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:09 am

Yeah, I was hesitant about that as well. I'll have a chat with him when he calls again and will take it somewhere else if I'm not satisfied with his answers...