fix bent fork?

[thebottle]

One fork has a slight bend it... looks to be about 1/16" to light 1/8" at the most when slowing rolling it on a flat surface so I am wondering if it is necessary to get it straightened?

[Rasputin]

I would replace it myself. Fix it as a last resort. The forks are far too important for proper suspension and handling to be trusting something bent. While the bend in the forks may be small the damages could be huge if you lose handling at the wrong moment.

[natemoen]

I agree, find a replacement.

[thebottle]

I was hoping to hear something different... my hatred for deer is growing. Looks like it's time to spend some more money. Any difference between the years/models?

[DGXSER]

The Standards are different than the Specials. But I am certain all the Specials work interchangably and fairly certain the Standards are the same.

Look on Fleabay, or find someone parting a bike out on here.

[bikerphil]

I was hoping to hear something different

Many people have had success straightening fork stanchions. Do a Google search on the subject. Max run out should be no more than 5 thou.

[cywelchjr]

Specials are all the same, and standards are different than specials and are almost the same as each other but slightly different from each other based on early and late with some minor differences. The early standards use different progressive rate springs vs the straight rate springs of the late model standard air forks. Also the caps are different between the two although the caps will interchange, but since the spring rates are different the two sides on the standards need to be a match (the air version are designed to have air carry part of the load unlike the early models which use the springs to carry all the load).

That of course does not apply to your special, so any special forks should work for you, and I believe that I have seen special forks easier to find on ebay that later standard forks are to find (I know cause I had to find a set for mine).

[jmelin]

To straighten the fork tubes; you will need an arbor press and some V-blocks. A hydralic press is not recommended because you don't have the control and feel needed.

To check to see if they are straight you will need a dial indicator and a lathe.

Disassemble the forks down to the bare tubes.

Place the fork tube in the V-blocks and use the press to push on the high side. Make sure you have a v-block on top to so you dont put a ding in the tube. It doesn't take much so try not to go too far. You can check you work with a straight edge.

Once you think you have got it put them in the lathe and check with the dial indicator. You can skip this if you trust your eyeball and a flat surface, just roll the tube.

I have straightened tubes on 3 bikes and never had a problem.

[thebottle]

Yeah, I decided to get it straightened... there is a hydraulic repair shop near me that straightens hydraulic cylinders and they said they would do it for $25.