Bent forks?

[Steve]

Can anyone tell me an easy and proper way to check whether or not my forks are bent?

[dragon511]

The proper way isn't easy, but it also isn't all that hard. You have to take the forks apart, and check the tubes individually. The old shade-tree method is to roll the tube on a very clean pane of plate glass. You can see even a couple of thousandths of runout this way. You'll need the service manual for your bike, or a mechanic who knows how to take them apart if you don't know yourself. This is also the time to replace the fluid and seals.

The very proper way to do it is with v-blocks and a dial indicator. Machine shops and frame/suspension shops have this equipment. But you still have to take them apart. If they are bent, a competent suspension mechanic can usually straighten them on the press.

If you don't want to take it on, just send them to GP Suspension and wait a week. :)

JC

#511