Posts
34
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
Edited Date/Time
6/11/2021 6:50am
Had a bad crash at Wildcat creek Mx this past Saturday. Sunday I noticed the forks where 2/3 compressed with no tension on the tie straps. I didn’t load the bike but they must have been like that when it was loaded. Been struggling with why I crashed and wondering if it was a fork failure?
Anyone else experience anything like this? Riding 21 KTM 450 with 5 hours on it.
Anyone else experience anything like this? Riding 21 KTM 450 with 5 hours on it.
The Shop
The air transfers from the positive, spring chamber, into the negative chamber. Pulling / locking the suspension unit down in its travel. Generally, the damage / leak point is where the seal(s) that separate them wear at the point that the transfer port is. It will eventually happen, and, with MTB shocks, most manuals will point out the need for maintenance of the air seals. Which, precious few people do. I dealt with hundreds of such issues in all the years I was a Fox technician and Warranty manager.
But, with what was it, 5 hours on the bike?, well :
a) You could have faulty, dodgy seal / seals (relating to the air chambers) .
b) Or, in the prang you had, the forks twisted enough for the seal between the chambers was cocked / 'shocked', thus letting air transfer over.
c) Or, the forks are so twisted / bent / internally damaged, that said seal(s) can / will no longer be able to separate the chambers.
I hope for you, it's just either a or b .
Glad your ok
that said, fork pressure MUST be checked before every ride
If you have photos of the fork, the seals, and the pressure cap on the left fork I know a few guys over at WP that can look at them. I own the same bike with no issues.
All KTM dirt bikes come from the dealer with a fork support/sidestand. It is to be used when the bike is tied town to limit compression of the air fork. it goes between the fork when the bike is being transported.
Anyone want a second hand bike.....need to sell one to get a gas gas 300. Haha
Pit Row
point it will stick down. The skf glide kit ads a negative chamber bleed so you can fix that if it happens on the trail or something to get back to the truck. Haven’t had it go wrong personally (63hrs in on AERs).
As for your forks, I’ve seen some right out of the crate come sagged out about 1/3 of the way down. Talk to your dealer, I’m sure they’ll have heard about it before and try get you warranty for it!
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