fork noise

[HobbyMan]

Does anyone else have fork noise? I recently replaced the fork seals on My 80g that I am restoring. I never tried to move them before so I don't know if this is new or not. You can hear the fork springs moving inside the fork tube. I haven't driving this bike yet but when you bounce it, it is really noisy. And yes, there is new oil in them. Any suggestions?

[John]

Do you know if the springs are in the lower spring seat? Maybe they are rubbing on the inside of the fork tube.

[HobbyMan]

Thats what it sounds like. I thought if you just drop them in, they will seat themselves. Is this not correct? they are stock springs. My dad took them out and I put them in. can they go in any direction?

[prometheus578]

That's interesting.
Both forks?
Is it possable to localize... get a better idea just where the sound is coming from?
I've never encountered this.

can they go in any direction?

No, just up and down.
Provided that you assembled them correctly, and yes, the spring just drops into the tube... I can't figger what would be making a noise like that.
Obviously, best to tear it apart again.
(I know that you're gonna write back later, saying... "my Dad thought I put the fork oil in, and I thought that my Dad...")

[HobbyMan]

Yeah, theres oil in it. I made sure of that. They are both doing it. I am sure it is the springs because they moth moved quietly before we put the oil and caps on. My dad thinks I just need to get out and ride it. I don't think so. I will probably take the caps off and springs out to make sure. It just sounds like some squeaky oil springs. Could it be the fork oil? I buy the same stuff every time, but this time it was a different color shade. I use the factory recomended stuff. Sounds like a squeaky old playground.

[skids]

Are you as old as I am? Maybe the sound is coming from your elbows and knees!

[prometheus578]

I still can't 'magine what would be making noise, there.
You don't have some strange "gaiters" covering the tubes?
You just have stock lowers and stock tubes coming out the tops?
Bike was wrecked?.... bent tubes?(but in order for noise, those tubes would be visably bent)
Were the springs worn? I mean, shorter than they should be? When reassembling, they should stick out the top of the tube, so that you have to apply pressure downward with the cap in order to screw it on.
I know you know this stuff... but I'm doing a 'two thousand mile away' diagnosis, too.

[HobbyMan]

Stock tubes not bent, The springs were sticking out plenty far and I had a good time getting the caps back on ( I am finally getting the hang of it) I know that you know that I know this stuff. This is the strangest thing. I don't recall them making noise before. I am going to take them off soon. I am working on my dad's bike today so I cant work on it. I noticed some noise when I reassembled them for the first time and I pulled the caps off to make sure I didn't screw up. Everything looked ok then. They are both doing it. I have a spare set of springs from a KAW that uses almost the same fork (just 6in longer). The spring appeared to be the same lenght but there was a spacer to account for the extra tuble length. I am going to try and swap springs to see if the noise continues. If I could record some audio of this noise that would help. How could I post an audio clip?