New Fox Fork ruined?

[vanniri]

With reference to your photos - the scratch on mine was much less prominent with no noticeable deforming, only a mark and a slight abrasive feel on the fingers.

Good luck - I think a bit of sanding can work, if you get oil passing through the seals then try to fill it, otherwise just let it be.

[Retrorider]

 

It is important that you only take the "high" bits off.  I would suggest you put something hard behind the sandpaper.  Personally I would have used a small Arkansas stone for the job (as used by gunsmiths), being very careful to only touch the high bits.  If you take your thumb as backing and start scouring away you are going to do more damage than good.  Take your time and get rid of the kids, wife, dogs whatever before you start. Careful  A small piece of plate glass might be useful to help you feel/see where high spots are. 

Retrorider2009-01-27 14:19:21

[Wyatt Earp]

Those are quite deep.

 

I like the Arknsas stone idea.

 

The good news however

 

It looks like its on the left leg, am I right.

 

If it is on the left leg then sleep peacefully at night.

 

Reasons being, it looks like a cherry flower, very cool

 

The real answer, the damping oil on a Fox sits in the right leg, the right hand dust wiper acts as a seal/dust wiper because the oil floats between the stanchion and the lower legs, making it an "open oil bath system" for a lack of better words.

 

The left leg has a small amount of oil sitting in the lowers floating between the lowers and the stanchion, this is to "lube" the dust wiper and foam.

 

Not too much of a loss, you won't lose air either as the stanchion holds your air.

 

Just make sure the flower has no rough protruding points as these would really nick the dust wiper and cause a bit of damage, but even if this was to happen, I can assure you, being the left leg it's not the end of the world.

[RodTi]

 

The real answer' date=' the damping oil on a Fox sits in the right leg, the right hand dust wiper acts as a seal/dust wiper because the oil floats between the stanchion and the lower legs, making it an "open oil bath system" for a lack of better words.
The left leg has a small amount of oil sitting in the lowers floating between the lowers and the stanchion, this is to "lube" the dust wiper and foam.
Not too much of a loss, you won't lose air either as the stanchion holds your air.
Just make sure the flower has no rough protruding points as these would really nick the dust wiper and cause a bit of damage, but even if this was to happen, I can assure you, being the left leg it's not the end of the world.[/quote']

 

 

Thanks Summit!

 

It's the left leg when seen from sitting on the bike - am I safe? If so, then I will feel much better thanks - since your point makes sense...

 

I already had a dash with a very fine sandpaper - that I had bought previously to buff up my Ti frame - and after a few 'brushes', it feels alot smoother already... Taking into consideration all the suggestions pertaining to what to use - Arkansas stone or s/paper with a backing - I'll be very careful should I need to do some more, but think I'm ok as is...

 

As a very last resort - I'll consider JB's epoxy suggestion.

 

Of course, finger's crossed that none of the above will be necessary, and that, as you say, oil leakage won't be too much of a problem...

 

Last thing - would the consensus be that I consider taking the fork in for more regular services, to check that the inner is not too dirty and still has the required oil/lubrication? If so - what, twice a year as opposed to once a year??

 

RodTi2009-01-28 01:01:26

[Wyatt Earp]

So it's the left leg, no worries then.

 

They should be serviced at least twice a year in any case, actually very often if one was to take the manufacturers recommendation, every six months should work well.