mtnbud

I just noticed the shocks on my 1997 Klein Pulse Comp seem a bit sluggish. The shock is a Rock Shock Judy XC. When I noticed, it was 27 degrees. At over 10 years old, should I service the shocks?

I've never serviced shocks before. Would a bike shop do it, or is it something a person with reasonable mechanical skill could do himself?

gbg

I think if you have fingers you can do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP0rObb3uiw

https://www.mtb-kataloge.de/Bikekatal...als/judyxc.pdf

These are mine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcD2JnUn4us

I have a 1996 Kona Kula that had Judy XC's and never rebuilt them either. But when I was thinking of rebuilding them
I also wanted to convert from Magura HS22 hydraulic brakes to discs. I really like the Magura's but I had an extra
set of XTR DC's that I wanted to put on the bike.
So I got a FOX RLC F100 that I put on, and the difference in performance is really noticeable,
but it should be compared to 15 year old technology.
I would suggest getting newer fork before spending any money on the older one, especially
if you can even find elastomers, or you need to replace the springs, or bushings, or seals.

mtnbud

Thanks for the info gbg. I might try to do a service to the bike before I look at replacing the fork.

I did a little internet search and it'd almost be cheaper to buy a new bike rather than replace the fork. My old Klein is selling for $350-$450 on Craigslist so a fork would cost about the value of the bike. I do like the frame though. I could see replacing most everything on the frame to get it current - (I don't think my wife would like that too much!)

I found these replacement springs during some searching on the web. That might be an option for me. I guess my 1996 Rock Shock Judy XC has elastomers?

commo_soulja

I've got the same-ish bike!

Convert it to singlespeed!

mtnbud

Would this be possible replacement springs for a 1996 Rock Shock Judy XC?: Mountain Speed Speedbomb Spring Clearance priced at $11.95!
Why does it say spring and not springs in the ad? Aren't these sold in a set?

PS: Nice looking bike commo_soulja.

commo_soulja

^^^Those are for Marzocchi forks, won't work. No way, no how.

You can try these guys, https://www.suspensionforkparts.net/eshop/index.php

Decently priced if you wanna retain your fork.

mtnbud

I finally had some free time to take my a close look at my fork. The elastomers were beyond gone. They were partially disintegrated so I had a heck of a time getting them out. The dampening seems fine so I didn't mess with changing the oil.

After looking at different options, I decided to order some replacement springs through
https://wings-suspension.com/. I figured it would be silly to buy a new fork when the value of my bike was less than the cost of a quality fork. I should be getting the springs in the mail this week. It looks to be a simple switch. Thanks gbg for the link!

There was a doughnut shaped white plastic piece at the bottom of each elastomer stack. Because of the condition of the elastomers, I wasn't sure if that piece is supposed to stay in the fork or come out with the elastomers. I saved them just in case.

I'm looking forward to my improved suspension. Funny, it took me so long to notice my fork was shot!

gbg

I opened my Judy XC and only the right bottom elastomer was shot. But it isn't on a bike
I replaced it with a Fox F80 RLC. The good thing about buying a new shock is that it is usually transferable to another
bike, unless you go to one that needs tons more/less travel.

rudymexico

Did you already install the springs?

any comments?

mtnbud

Yep - Installed the Wing Springs. Super easy - just unscrew the tops of the forks and place them in. I haven't had a chance to take the bike off-road. The springs seem to be more responsive. The travel seems fairly similar - maybe a bit more. I suspect the springs will do better at the stutter bumps and fast stuff - They should perform better over-all.

It was extremely easy and way less money than buying new forks.

rudymexico

I hope to do the same to my Judy's