Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dutch
I looked in my maintenace book, but i can't find where the position is of the air gap of the shocks. (I can not find it on google). I always thought it was a closed system. Can you tell me where the air gap i located.
|
The "air gap" is effectively the space between the surface level of the oil and the top of the fork tube when the fork is compressed fully and the spring is removed. It should be 125mm on the XTX.
The trick is (when you've removed the forks from the bike, removed the springs, taken off the caps and tipped out the old oil) to invert them and pump them several times to get everything out. When you've done that get them the right way up and push the fork tube down as far as it will go. Fill with the recommended amount of oil (600ml on the XTX) and then lift the tube up and down again, pumping the oil through the fork internals. Finally push the tube fully down again and measure the distance from the top of the tube to the surface of the oil. This distance should be 125mm. Pull the tubes back up, refit the springs and caps and you're good to go.
The air gap's job is to make the forks progressively harder as they compress, the air working like an extra spring as is compresses and resists further travel. In fact all forks are progressive because of this, even if they have linear springs. You can play about with the air gap size to alter the progressive nature of the fork's operation.
Kev has done a walk-through with pictures here...
http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=4274
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dutch
The Kev spacers work great. But i think i'am pushing the bike more and more lately. Maybe its a good idea to change the springs with some progressive springs during the maintenace.
|
If there's one thing I've learnt about suspension, it's that you are well advised to do one thing at a time or you'll never be able to keep a track of what changes are making a difference. Service the forks and see how it goes, then do the springs if you feel the need. If you check/change the oil and fit springs, you'll never know which which causing the original problem.
Bear in mind that your problem may even be down to the rear end - one thing can affect another. Not always is something felt at the front caused by the front. Again, look at one thing at a time and leave the rear for another day.
In the meantime I'd give linear springs some serious thought too - do a bit of research. Progressives are notoriously difficult to set up right, particularly the damping as its almost impossible to get one weight of oil to match all the variations in rate along the spring's progression. Setting sag can be a bit of a minefield too.