Johan Bornman Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Di CDP convinced me this morning to host a DIY fork service workshop. Her brief was to show MTB owners how to do a basic fork service. Not necessarilly some of the complex repairs, but some of the basic services that cost an arm and a leg.An oil change and seal clean/replace is easy. Anyone can do it and the fact that you need very basic tools is just a bonus. I think Di has a good idea and I have decided that 25 April is the date. What I'll do is discuss the basics of suspension forks, talk about the various consumables such as oil, o-rings, crush washers, discuss the tools required and then do a demonstration. After the demo it is dirty time and each attendee will service his/her own fork right there on the spot. I'll look over your shoulder and make sure you don't go off track. I'll supply oil, rags (lots of them), safe disposal of old oil, tools, o-rings (were necessary), new seals (only when necessary) and notes. I can do 6 people at a time, since I have six workbenches and six sets of tools. We'll start at 8:00 sharp with coffee and rusks and aim to finish by 11:00. If I get more than six candidates, I'll do an afternoon session as well. I must still figure out the cost of the exercise but I'd like to keep it at no more than the costs of one major service. How's that for a deal? I'll finalise cost in a week's time since I'm training some Free Stater mechanics this week and wont be at my PC 'cause they dont have Internet in the Free State. Send me a PM or e-mail to johanatyellowsaddledotcodotza to book your place. I may not get back to you before Friday next week. It will help if I know what type of fork you will bring along and it will definitely help if you take the fork off first. It will save time and focus the workshop. If required, I'll create a step-by-step fork removal and replacement guide. Let me know what you think of the idea. Edit: The cost is R419-00 but all 12 places are booked. Anyone else who wants to learn about forks can either ask to go on the waiting list in case someone else decides to ride the Panorama or ask to go on a notification list for the next course. It seems like a strong possiblility that I'll run a course in Cape Town as well. PS - the Freestater turned out to be a really nice guy with some great ideas for his bike shop. I reserve my comments on Free State Internet though. Johan Bornman2009-04-02 12:33:25
spano Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 I think its a great idea and would reccomend you to anyone!! I've had personal experience with Johan fixing my shock, and must say, this course sounds like a must for any mountainbiker! knowing the basics will help you alot and save you alot of money!! Good luck Johan, great idea!
KDEE Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Im currently poor, but may not be on the 25th, depending on the price.. Im in..
Guest Big H Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Stuur 'n posduif..... standaard Vrystaat email!!!!!!!! ...... pasop vir katte , hulle is die virusse!!!!!!! Jy weet natuurlik hoekom is hulle se gesigte op Maandae so stukkend?????? ............ Hulle eet Sondae met mes en vurk!!!!!!!!!! Die duiwe daar vlieg onnestebo..... sodat hulle iets het om te sien!!!!!! My Swaers het Army toe gegaan om hulle se hare te laat groei!!!!!!!!Big H2009-03-21 14:56:30
Johan Bornman Posted March 30, 2009 Author Posted March 30, 2009 Update: I have finalised the details of the Suspension Fork Service Workshop on Saturday 25 April. The morning session is already booked out and I'll now open an afternoon session from 14:00 to 17:00. The cost of the workshop, including all consumables (oil, cleaning materials, solvents etc) will be R419-00 pppf (per person per fork). This does not include the price of a set of seals, these can be purchased separately on the day should they be necessary. A fork service does not necessarily require new seals. We'll kick off with an overview of contemporary suspension forks, the function of the various oils that go in there and troubleshooting. Then we'll go on to a demonstration and then a hands-on workshop where you'll service your own fork under supervision. The aim is for you to walk away with a fully serviced fork and, the know-how to do it yourself in future - all for less than the price of a service at a bike shop. I'll supply all the tools and dispose of your old oil responsibly. We can deal with Rox, Fox, Manitou and Marzocchi* forks on the day and they could be as sophisticated or simple as they come, it doesn't matter. Booking will be on a first come, first serve, first pay basis and you can send me your details to johanatyellowsaddledotcodotza and I respond with a confirmation, details, address etc. We unfortunately cannot deal with rear suspension units in such a short workshop. It should take no more than 1 1/2 hours to complete the task but I've allowed double that in each session. Morning session from 08:00 to 11:00 and afternoon session from 14:00 to 17:00. Maximum of 6 people per session. Booking will be on a first come, first serve, first pay basis and you can send me your details to johanatyellowsaddledotcodotza and I respond with a confirmation, details, address etc. *Depending on the type of Marzocchi fork you bring in, there may be a small charge for oil since many of these forks use large quantities of oil.
GoLefty!! Posted March 30, 2009 Posted March 30, 2009 R419-00 is dirt cheap for this workshop. excellent idea though. Good luck with it.
Justin Posted March 30, 2009 Posted March 30, 2009 Hi Johan I have a crap RST Gila shock. However, I will like to know how to service it as well. Can I also attend?
RodTi Posted March 30, 2009 Posted March 30, 2009 When are you having one in CT? I second that! I'm deed keen on attending one down here in the Kaap/Slaapstad? Mr. B - how about it?
Johan Bornman Posted March 30, 2009 Author Posted March 30, 2009 When are you having one in CT? I'd love to do one in Cape Town but the economics of it all makes it difficult. There's no way that even four sessions over a weekend will pay for the trip, accommodaton etc. The only answer I can think of is to link it with one of my regular 2-day maintenance courses. Either I do a MTB-specific course and include fork service as part of the deal or, I do the fork service on the Friday or Monday and the regular maintenance course on the Saturday and Sunday. Capetownians don't work on Fridays or Monday in anyway....I'm told. Come up with a plan and some bums on seats and I'll co-operate.
Johan Bornman Posted March 30, 2009 Author Posted March 30, 2009 Hi Johan I have a crap RST Gila shock. However' date=' I will like to know how to service it as well. Can I also attend? [/quote'] I prefer to think of those forks (like mine) as "entry level forks." You're welcome with any fork, even no fork. The principles are the same. What you learn with the low-end fork you'll be able to apply to the high-end fork one day. Book yourself in.
Johan Bornman Posted March 31, 2009 Author Posted March 31, 2009 One morning and one afternoon space left. From now on it becomes a waiting list. Johan Bornman2009-03-31 06:30:30
nathrix Posted March 31, 2009 Posted March 31, 2009 One morning and one afternoon space left. From now on it becomes a waiting list. Johan, you have mail. Thanks
RodTi Posted March 31, 2009 Posted March 31, 2009 When are you having one in CT? I'd love to do one in Cape Town but the economics of it all makes it difficult. There's no way that even four sessions over a weekend will pay for the trip' date=' accommodaton etc. The only answer I can think of is to link it with one of my regular 2-day maintenance courses. Either I do a MTB-specific course and include fork service as part of the deal or, I do the fork service on the Friday or Monday and the regular maintenance course on the Saturday and Sunday. Capetownians don't work on Fridays or Monday in anyway....I'm told. Come up with a plan and some bums on seats and I'll co-operate. [/quote'] So that leaves the ball firmly in our court... Any other 'bums' from Cape Town interested in filling up a Fix-your-Forking-Fork day? Shout it out loud and proud over here!
downhilldemon Posted March 31, 2009 Posted March 31, 2009 i'm in if there's a workshop in cape town. just send me a pm
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