Just got my bike out of the shed for the first time this year (you can call me a lightweight as well as an idiot - but its been pissing down for the last 3 months and snowing for the 3 months before that).
Anyway, I'm an idiot because I forgot to follow the advice given to me by druidh about storing my bike upside down when I left it in an open-to-the-elements barn at -20°c this winter. He suggested it might stop the seals drying out on the forks.
Anyway, now when I push down on the handlebars, the forks (RS Rev 426 dual air) make a squishy hissy noise. Also, when I put some air in them, some yellow liquid squirted out of the valve.
[b]Is that bad ? Could someone explain what has happened please.[/b] They still seem to function but I'm wondering if they need a service before I do some proper riding (never had air forks before so haven't yet had any experience of servicing).
Pushing my luck I know, but wanted some advice on a couple of other things also.
Before I "retired" for the winter, the Poploc got snagged and popped open down the seam. I an get the assembly back together securely with a ziptie but when i tried to reassemble it I see that the tiny o-ring and circlip have both snapped. [b]Any ideas where to buy a replacement ????[/b]
Penultimate question:) what is the easiest way to adjust the hi/lo limit screw on the front derailleur when you have the rear suspension (arm) in the way ? I could just get a philips screwdriver through a gap but it was at an angle and I've nearly taken the head off the screws. Is there a special tool for when you don't have much clearance ?
Last question :oops:: [b]where is the best place to buy, in UK or France[/b]
- spare seals for XT hubs (cracked, presumably cause of being left out in the barn all winter);
- hi/lo limit screws for the front XT derailleur
Thanks awfully, in advance
Oldgwegg
OK, so only one suggestion out of all you were asking. Any small bolts of the correct thread size will be OK to replace the hi/lo limit screws, if you get some with an allen key head in them rather than screwdriver ones, a ball-ended allen key may just give you a better angle to adjust them.
Deep breath...
Put the bike upside down for a night to wet the bushes fnaar fnaar. Yellow spunk doesn't matter but flipping the bike over to do the negative air reduces the amount.
Poplock bits, talk to TFTuned.
A small flat bladed screwdriver works at all sorts of funny angles in the adjuster screws, get some stainless ones from a local fasteners place.
I'm not sure that Shimano spares exist as such, try ringing the importers Madison.
...And breathe.
@tthew - excellent idea, thanks. If I can find some allen head screw bolts that should work.
@oldnick - thanks for the advice. Bike up-turned. So what will that do exactly ?
Yeah I am a bit stressed - how could you tell ? I'm meant to be taking a load of primary school kids out on a 2 day MTB soon and its there test tomorrow morning. I'll have to commandeer one of their bikes if mine goes tits-up.
Any more sensible advice, ideas about where to buy bits ? Cheers again.
You are wetting the top bushes which may have become a little dry after a long period of storage, oil is good on moving parts 🙂
If you have a decent local bike shop ask if you can raid the broken bits bin for spares, there will be adjuster screws aplenty on bust mechs, and you might get lucky with a set of Shimao hubbed wheels for the seals.
Decide which setting you want the fork to run in (open or locked), either take the poplock off entirely (open)or rig a tiny bit of cable from the fork crown with the inner cable held in position with a clamp (locked out). Electrical choc block is easy to get.
Let all the air out of the rear shock to see if you get more clearance.
The squishy sound may be normal, and just be the damping working in the fork, try reducing the damping and the noise may go away 🙂
Only just seen the last 3 posts - thanks all for the advice.
@oldnick: yeah, but I like having my Poploc working. I think what you are saying is either take it off or leave it in place but locked. In fact, its just hanging there not doing anything at the moment and the forks are working fine 'open'. But I would like to have the thing working on my handlebars so the search continues for tiny circlip and o-ring.
And I had to Google 'electrical choc block' 😀 What am i going to do with that ?? Ohhhhh. Is that the clamp ?
Anyway, took the bike out for a few hours yesterday with 25 primary school kids and they all made it back - and my bike rode really well apart from the squishy sound from the forks. Maybe I'll turn it upside down a few more times to ensure they are getting some oil.
TFTuned will sell you the poplock bits, or ebay a used lever assembly to use/split for spares.
Lock the fork out and the noises will go away... 😉