Rebuild Front Forks
08-11-20, 05:06 AM
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Rebuild Front Forks
Anybody have any resources for rebuilding the front forks of a 2005 Trek 6500 front suspension fork. I am a complete rookie.
Also considering replacing the front fork. But this is more of a learning project. I could buy a better bike than it will cost me to fix this one. Bike has old cantilever brakes. Replacement suspension seems to all have disc brakes. I would then have to upgrade the brakes as well.
Also considering replacing the front fork. But this is more of a learning project. I could buy a better bike than it will cost me to fix this one. Bike has old cantilever brakes. Replacement suspension seems to all have disc brakes. I would then have to upgrade the brakes as well.
08-11-20, 05:36 AM
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Anybody have any resources for rebuilding the front forks of a 2005 Trek 6500 front suspension fork. I am a complete rookie.
Also considering replacing the front fork. But this is more of a learning project. I could buy a better bike than it will cost me to fix this one. Bike has old cantilever brakes. Replacement suspension seems to all have disc brakes. I would then have to upgrade the brakes as well.
Also considering replacing the front fork. But this is more of a learning project. I could buy a better bike than it will cost me to fix this one. Bike has old cantilever brakes. Replacement suspension seems to all have disc brakes. I would then have to upgrade the brakes as well.
If you need to replace brakes it's not all that expensive provided you wheels accept disc brakes. I was surprised to learn I could buy a pair of MT400 hydraulic brakes for 60€, or a pair of Deores (much better) for less than 100€.
08-11-20, 07:24 AM
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It all depends on what suspension fork you have.Judging by your brakes, it sounds like you have something pre-2000's? Pictures will help when you have enough number of posts. Or you can put them in the members album.
08-11-20, 09:14 AM
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It's just a "fork" not a "front fork." the fact that it's on the front of your bike is implied. no one talks about "rear forks." with that out of the way...
Here's the parts list for a Trek 6500 from 1995. I read that it has a Manitou Axel Comp fork. I looked up "manitou axle comp fork rebuild" and found dozens of basic guide to older forks like that. I would start there. there might not be much you can do to make it perform like a modern fork, but getting a clean inside and out is a good start.
Here's the parts list for a Trek 6500 from 1995. I read that it has a Manitou Axel Comp fork. I looked up "manitou axle comp fork rebuild" and found dozens of basic guide to older forks like that. I would start there. there might not be much you can do to make it perform like a modern fork, but getting a clean inside and out is a good start.
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08-11-20, 10:23 AM
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Trek Buys forks made by other companies,,
Some never had rebuild kits, take it apart clean add grease maybe, put it back together.. see long bolt in the bottom, ?
Other forks, higher end, air. Oil have rebuild kits, but they get discontinued, years before the fork stops working.
Some never had rebuild kits, take it apart clean add grease maybe, put it back together.. see long bolt in the bottom, ?
Other forks, higher end, air. Oil have rebuild kits, but they get discontinued, years before the fork stops working.
08-11-20, 10:37 AM
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As above, you need to find out if a rebuild kit is available (check ebay). If not, the best you can do is to clean it and replace the oil. If it doesn't leak (especially if it has a lock-out that performs adequately, the fork should still function well enough.
08-11-20, 12:29 PM
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I put a Manitou Axel Comp on my old GT years ago-still going strong. At the time, I enjoyed wrenching more than I do now, so I took it apart before installing and went over and checked/greased, put the fork oil to the right amount (probably was already, but of course it drained when I took it apart). Didn't need it, but did it for the fun of it. It's still going strong and works well. Followed instructions I had and it wasn't difficult. Not the most modern fork, but it works for me for not too crazy singletrack. Just get some good instructions, take your time and you should be fine.
08-11-20, 09:56 PM
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08-12-20, 01:37 PM
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I do not yet have enough posts for photos. Hopefully soon.
