You saved me! I bought a really nice Gary Fisher the other day for dirt cheap however the Metro shock was seized solid. Did all of the work myself and now it's working great!!
Great vid! Another handy way to get those bottom screws back in without just spinning the thread, is to tension your springs manually to hold the inner part in without moving. It's especially easy when fitting a new (and tight) spring kit.
Thanks RJ, I watch your videos since nearly a year a repaired all my bikes with your instructions. Now i am going to overhaul a fork. Best Regards from Hamburg Germany
I found a bike with one these forks but toasted by the sun so I took it apart and I used aircraft paint remover and blasted them up and repaint! then I put it together thanks to you!! Thanks so much!
Very good! I would like to see you doing hydraulic brake maintenance, by the way it works, I know it would be a great video! I'm from Brazil and I really like your videos!
The black rubber parts are 2x top out bumpers to avoid the clunk you get on even cheaper forks as they hit the top of the travel. The other two appear to serve only to reduce the available travel. Perhaps the bike was a base model and they purposely reduced the travel to tempt you up a step higher? Anyway, leave those out and you'll gain an inch or so travel, for free. Only downside I can think of is the front end will sit an inch or so higher, perhaps the steering will feel raked out, but I doubt you'd notice
@@clevero8532 the top ones are bumpers. The lower spool shaped ones are just plastic to limit the travel to 80mm. Take them out and leave the rubber so it doesn't bottom out. I'm gonna go do mine right now.
Hi, I think I have the same suspension fork but without the boots. Also mine has oil in it. Is it ok to just use grease instead of suspension fork oil?
I’ve got the Judy SL air version of these. Do they have a cartridge inside the left leg please? I’m currently trying to get the rounded plastic top caps out atm.
Are you aware of where to get parts for this fork? Can the springs be replaced with springs like that sold by Specialty Retro Products for late 90s Judys?
Hey RJ, do you have a video on disassembling a Rockshox mag21? Or can maybe refer me to a place with information about that? I have read the original manual but it only explains how to take it apart with special tools that can't be found anymore. I'm trying to replace a broken seal but I can't separate the stanchions from the lower leg. Thanks!
One spring, I'm surprised a few millimeters of travel is not lost with just the weight of the bike. I'm curious if whether a person could place an another coil on the other side to make it nice and firm. I'm a lean 220lb and I would bottom out those forks riding on the road. I can see why they were recalled in 2008.
does anyone know the brand and model hierarchy for rim brake suspension forks and disc brake suspension forks? Most of my bikes come with the cheap suntour stuff but I do wonder if the more expensive forks are worth it. I do run 26 wheels so maybe slightly older brand hierarchy.
Hey Rj I just bought a juiced scorpion and is having some issues with the front fork, but I don’t know what type it is, I will like to take it apart, just curious if you know and have you worked on this type of shocks?
Unfortunately the seller is juiced bike in San Diego and they want me to take it to a shop in New York to have them look at it, problem? The shops that I know and spoke to don’t want to work on a ebike. Here is a tuber with the same bike.... ruclips.net/video/FS_gxbNmr2w/видео.html
Dear RJ. I broke one of the (dropouts) I went to a Aluminum soldering expert and he told me that I have to give him the fork completely dissasembled because he could harm some of the inside parts due to the high temperature of the soldering. What do you recommend about soldering a dropout? regards, Marcelo.
It's so annoying they don't come with boots anymore. My brother has a Trek from 2000 with boots. The shocks are perfect. Mine is from 2007 without boots, and the shocks have been shot for years.
Morning RJ, quick question, I have rock shox Judy XC, about 20 years old. Several forums say they aren't worth servicing and just get new ones. But I'm sure you agree when I say the joy is in working on them. My question is if the Judy TT and XC get taken apart the same way or do you know of any differences. Again thanks for the videos, very informative, enjoy them greatly.
I have an old full suspension Mongoose Inferno mtb with a RS JudyTT fork. Btw mine has never been serviced and seems to have more travel and is much smoother than your finished service. I Think you may have that preload way to tight.
Great stuff as usual, RJ - Thanks! Quick question - do you have to take the brakes off before starting? Or did you only do that so you don't have to readjust the brake cable when you reassemble? Otherwise, it seems like you could leave the brakes on the forks unless I'm missing something...?
What's up RJ, does this disassembly also apply to the Judy DH fork? I got one what I believe on my 1994 GT Zaskar. By the way, great video like always. Thanks for showing me how to make my own headset tools!
I live in columbus ohio. I’m a bigger guy 220 pounds , 5’10. I’m looking for a single gear mountain bike. I have 350.00. Do you think you could do a bike for me? Able to pick it up when done.
Not sure what went wrong. Take the stacks out and make sure the lowers move up and down freely, then reinstall the uppers. Verify to reassembled everything correctly.
@@RJTheBikeGuy I wanted more travel or so I left out the tapered shaped stopper now my forks sit a bit higher but don't bottom out also my preload cap is snapped inside is adjusting the top plastic cap affecting that adjustment? Also what size bottom bracket it this bike? Got it for freefree
@@clevero8532 My preloaded cap also snapped, that's what made me look at this channel. Did you ever get a reply from DJ? I'm about to strip down the fork this weekend. Rgds from S Africa.
Clive Greenall I assesmbled it back together n lubed it, great fork! Better then a suntour 27.5 fork I rode with the caps loose and now it’s jammed, just don’t strip the top at all
Surprised to see how simple these forks were made, just a single spring and no damper. Can't be a very good fork, I thought Rock shock Judy would be a better fork than the even cheaper budget forks.
Btw RJ it would be nice to meet ya and talk about the bike shop home mechanic ideas. My home bike shop is almost done. Btw I am from Toronto area. I think you live near by. Cheers! Btw I recently got a Raleigh MTB that I want to do the same suspension overhaul.
Hi there, i have a question about widening the dropouts. Im working on a fixed gear bike (building it from an old 7 speed gazelle) now im at the point where i need to get new wheels with flip-flop hubs since my wallet isnt that full im worried about buying hubs that don't fit in my frame thewebsite i found them on has 2 hub i guess width measurements, the axlelenght (120mm) and the (if it is even an english thing if i translate it litteraly) the installation width (170mm). I don't know what wich measurement means exactly because the 170mm is nowhere near the width of my dropouts and the 120mm is 3mm shorter than the space between my dropouts. Can i bend them in just like bending them out ? And what do the 2 measurement mean ? my rear dropouts: 123mm link to the hubset i want to buy: www.internet-bikes.com/129718-miche-naaf-achter-primato-pista-pista-32g-hoge-flens-2-lagers-zilver/
Usually on these, once you loosen the bolt, then the part inside will just spin and spin with the bolt, and the bolt with not loosen anymore. So then you can try compressing the fork while turning the bolt, which sometimes works. But this is the easiest way.
I used to have this bike a long time ago. If you bottomed the fork out hard enough the plastic preload cap would break & fire out at your face. Good times.
This information is exactly what I was searching for. Did it happen with your bike? Or is it just your assumption? I am a little bit confused by the fact, that all the tough geometry and all strong metal parts in frame and suspension make no sense, because all this toughness is cancelled by small plastic cap. Very strange solution...
RJ The Bike Guy not this one , they are usually a lot of mass produced bikes , I can only clean & lubricate sub standerd ones . The main problem is origanly the spring is to stiff but I mainly uae my bike on the road , it can get a little bit choppy . My bikes are XCR enrage , Yellow original , and Orbea rdion , Both bikes have bean rebuilt and improved breaking & bearings gears exe
I've got the same Judy TT fork that was recalled in 2001 on my old GT iDrive 5.0. I called SRAM two days ago and they told me they are still honoring the recall. They said they'd swap it with a Recon if I bring it to an authorized shop. Cool video. The recall says the compression rods can break. How do you feel about that? Should I stop riding it for now? I'm in the process of figuring out which bike shops near me are authorized to perform the swap. Here's the link for the recall: www.thebikerack.com/articles/rockshox-inc.-announces-recall-of-bicycle-forks-pg60.htm
@@RJTheBikeGuy After further inspection, I have the serial starting with "01" but mine have the gold colored shaft bolts at the bottom. Supposedly, it was retrofitted and should be safe to ride. I think I'm safe for now. (I hope) However, I will be upgrading the fork.. Any recommendations would be great!
For more bike repair videos hit the subscribe button ► bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy
You saved me! I bought a really nice Gary Fisher the other day for dirt cheap however the Metro shock was seized solid. Did all of the work myself and now it's working great!!
Great vid! Another handy way to get those bottom screws back in without just spinning the thread, is to tension your springs manually to hold the inner part in without moving. It's especially easy when fitting a new (and tight) spring kit.
Thanks RJ, I watch your videos since nearly a year a repaired all my bikes with your instructions. Now i am going to overhaul a fork. Best Regards from Hamburg Germany
Nice video! Inspires confidence for doing the suspension service by oneself.
This one is pretty simple, but newer systems have one or two extra layers of complexity due to dampers and new shock technologies.
I found a bike with one these forks but toasted by the sun so I took it apart and I used aircraft paint remover and blasted them up and repaint! then I put it together thanks to you!! Thanks so much!
Very good! I would like to see you doing hydraulic brake maintenance, by the way it works, I know it would be a great video! I'm from Brazil and I really like your videos!
Thanks for adding this video. I've never been very knowledgeable about forks. This really helped.
My dream is to know repair bikes like you. Always, your videos are interesting and instructive. 👍😀
The black rubber parts are 2x top out bumpers to avoid the clunk you get on even cheaper forks as they hit the top of the travel. The other two appear to serve only to reduce the available travel. Perhaps the bike was a base model and they purposely reduced the travel to tempt you up a step higher?
Anyway, leave those out and you'll gain an inch or so travel, for free. Only downside I can think of is the front end will sit an inch or so higher, perhaps the steering will feel raked out, but I doubt you'd notice
Get rid of the first rubber piece or the on below it?
@@clevero8532 the top ones are bumpers. The lower spool shaped ones are just plastic to limit the travel to 80mm. Take them out and leave the rubber so it doesn't bottom out. I'm gonna go do mine right now.
Danke vielmal 🎉🎉🎉🎉 jetzt alles funktioniert einwandfrei!!!😊wie neuer.
I noticed at the beginning the disassembly process had only one long spring is this is this correct or were you actually missing a spring
Is it possible to do that without specific tools? I'm planning to buy a bike with a similar old rockshox susp
hi RJ, would it be possible for you to make series on suspensions? elastomer, spring, hudrolics, nuematics?
NY! Snowblower prep in July.
Yet another informative and watchable video. Nice one dude!
Hi, I think I have the same suspension fork but without the boots. Also mine has oil in it. Is it ok to just use grease instead of suspension fork oil?
I’ve got the Judy SL air version of these.
Do they have a cartridge inside the left leg please?
I’m currently trying to get the rounded plastic top caps out atm.
What are the chances?! Im about to rebuild one, been looking forward to a video to guide me. Thanks a lot!
great video, my old giant forks always sweaked badley and i oild them loads of times, any ideas as there 10 years old
Are you aware of where to get parts for this fork? Can the springs be replaced with springs like that sold by Specialty Retro Products for late 90s Judys?
can you increase the travel in this type of fork?
RJ loves his Sody Pop
Could you service a rockshox domain if you ever find one?
Hey RJ, do you have a video on disassembling a Rockshox mag21? Or can maybe refer me to a place with information about that? I have read the original manual but it only explains how to take it apart with special tools that can't be found anymore. I'm trying to replace a broken seal but I can't separate the stanchions from the lower leg.
Thanks!
I thought there was supposed to be an elastomer in that era judy forks? Did someone remove it or was I not paying attention?
Any torque specs for the bolts?
Muito bom! Graças a você vou revisar minha judy
Ahhh, just the video I was looking for!
One spring, I'm surprised a few millimeters of travel is not lost with just the weight of the bike.
I'm curious if whether a person could place an another coil on the other side to make it nice and firm. I'm a lean 220lb and I would bottom out those forks riding on the road. I can see why they were recalled in 2008.
Probably just get a heavier duty fork.
does anyone know the brand and model hierarchy for rim brake suspension forks and disc brake suspension forks? Most of my bikes come with the cheap suntour stuff but I do wonder if the more expensive forks are worth it. I do run 26 wheels so maybe slightly older brand hierarchy.
I have the judy T2 completely different inside ,has elastomers that are completely disintegrated
From which tool you open the brakes
Do you know how to tighten sealed cartridge bottom bracket with no special tool
Please reply RJ
Buy the tool.
Or make a tool. But seeing the tools are easily available and not expensive, buy the tool.
Also my preload snapped off the other day is there a way for me to replace it?
Try ebay.
After every twenty hours of riding, Isn't that a little excessive? What would you recommend?
your a mechanical engineering wizard .
I love it RJ. GREAT JOB
Can i just leave the boots of? They are just there to protect from dirt right? Modern bikes dont have em anyways.
Modern bikes are designed to work without boots.
Hey Rj I just bought a juiced scorpion and is having some issues with the front fork, but I don’t know what type it is, I will like to take it apart, just curious if you know and have you worked on this type of shocks?
I don't know the bike, or what forks it has. If you just bought the bike, have the seller fix it.
Unfortunately the seller is juiced bike in San Diego and they want me to take it to a shop in New York to have them look at it, problem? The shops that I know and spoke to don’t want to work on a ebike. Here is a tuber with the same bike.... ruclips.net/video/FS_gxbNmr2w/видео.html
@@bequiakt Yeah, I don't know the fork. Might something unique to that bike. You'll just have to figure it out.
Are these forks any good ?? I just got a 1998 GT Aggressor, that has these forks on it .they seem to be in great shape !!
Tried and true Judy's will last forever. They are easy to rebuild if needed too with affordable kits with new seals online even amazon
Question can a rst 191 shock be re lubed if it's seized up
ruclips.net/video/0GJ_IFWK5yw/видео.html
hi buddy ,my spring has broken ,what i need to do? can i replace it?
You might be able to find a replacement spring. Or buy another fork. Or buy a used Judy TT fork for parts.
@@RJTheBikeGuy yea but in my country i can t find anything for fuck sake... ,i can find a similar spring on als fork?
Have you ever come across a Giant XTC with a Rock Shocks Judy type fork?
I haven't looked.
Hi!, What kind of grease do you use to lubricate that Judy? Tanks!!, nice videos!!
ruclips.net/video/mIrydAhvOns/видео.html
no oil passes inside???
Not on this model.
@@RJTheBikeGuy ooo thank you very much!!!
Dear RJ. I broke one of the (dropouts) I went to a Aluminum soldering expert and he told me that I have to give him the fork completely dissasembled because he could harm some of the inside parts due to the high temperature of the soldering. What do you recommend about soldering a dropout? regards, Marcelo.
If you have a suspension fork with a broken dropout, replace the fork. If a fork fails, it tends to fail catastrophically, while you are riding it.
Are the boots really necessary? They don't really seem like it, but I wanna make sure.
They help keep dirt out of the fork so it will slide smooth.
Quick question, RJ. Seems you needed a 6mm hex extension. That's an Allen wrench size, right? Can you recommend a good brand of tool?
I like Craftsman tool. www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001UF7X5Y/ref=nosim/youtube25-20
This version doesn't take oil?
No.
It's so annoying they don't come with boots anymore. My brother has a Trek from 2000 with boots. The shocks are perfect. Mine is from 2007 without boots, and the shocks have been shot for years.
Huh, I was actually going to remove the boots for a newer look!
From your comment, I'm guessing thats a bad idea
@@HighVybeTribe i would 100% keep them i see no benefit to bootless
Morning RJ, quick question, I have rock shox Judy XC, about 20 years old. Several forums say they aren't worth servicing and just get new ones. But I'm sure you agree when I say the joy is in working on them. My question is if the Judy TT and XC get taken apart the same way or do you know of any differences. Again thanks for the videos, very informative, enjoy them greatly.
I am working on a judy tt 2001 , have you got sizes for the long spring coil?
I have an old full suspension Mongoose Inferno mtb with a RS JudyTT fork.
Btw mine has never been serviced and seems to have more travel and is much smoother than your finished service. I Think you may have that preload way to tight.
Could be. This is how it was set when I got the bike used.
Great stuff as usual, RJ - Thanks! Quick question - do you have to take the brakes off before starting? Or did you only do that so you don't have to readjust the brake cable when you reassemble? Otherwise, it seems like you could leave the brakes on the forks unless I'm missing something...?
another reason could have been that he wanted us to have a better look at the forks without the brake arms dangling around.
Why there is spring only on one side not both sides ??
Ask SRAM.
Thank you Sir!
O my God!!! Thats my bike! Hr Comp! But my is yellow!) How old is yours one?
I don't know the year off hand. Would have to research.
What's up RJ, does this disassembly also apply to the Judy DH fork? I got one what I believe on my 1994 GT Zaskar. By the way, great video like always. Thanks for showing me how to make my own headset tools!
I have not worked on one of those, so I can't say.
RJ The Bike Guy alright thanks, keep up the good work.
Great video 👍
Great video, very helpful
HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE X 41 in an eleven minute video jeez man !
Question why did it only have one spring
Ask Sram. It was made that way.
Weight savings and cost savings, the spring rate is set to the average weight of the average rider, with a slight amount of preload available.
Nice demonstration...
Excellent
I live in columbus ohio. I’m a bigger guy 220 pounds , 5’10. I’m looking for a single gear mountain bike. I have 350.00. Do you think you could do a bike for me? Able to pick it up when done.
Sorry, I don't work like that. Try your local bike shop.
Thanks
Did this today everything smooth until I tightened the top caps the forks are jammed stiff
Not sure what went wrong. Take the stacks out and make sure the lowers move up and down freely, then reinstall the uppers. Verify to reassembled everything correctly.
@@RJTheBikeGuy I wanted more travel or so I left out the tapered shaped stopper now my forks sit a bit higher but don't bottom out also my preload cap is snapped inside is adjusting the top plastic cap affecting that adjustment? Also what size bottom bracket it this bike? Got it for freefree
@@clevero8532 My preloaded cap also snapped, that's what made me look at this channel.
Did you ever get a reply from DJ?
I'm about to strip down the fork this weekend.
Rgds from S Africa.
Lol .. Should have said RJ .. not DJ
Clive Greenall I assesmbled it back together n lubed it, great fork! Better then a suntour 27.5 fork I rode with the caps loose and now it’s jammed, just don’t strip the top at all
This needs to be done after every 20 hours of riding?
That is what the fork docs say.
I have a Kona Kahuna with these forks on them. Best do this to them as they are 22yrs old and never been touched. 😂
Surprised to see how simple these forks were made, just a single spring and no damper. Can't be a very good fork, I thought Rock shock Judy would be a better fork than the even cheaper budget forks.
Btw RJ it would be nice to meet ya and talk about the bike shop home mechanic ideas. My home bike shop is almost done. Btw I am from Toronto area. I think you live near by. Cheers!
Btw I recently got a Raleigh MTB that I want to do the same suspension overhaul.
If by close by, you mean across a great lake, in a different country, then yeah...
"metric" close, not "imperial" close... to convert, double it and add thirty.
I know that this is how it was designed but does it bother anyone else that there's only a spring on one side?
I am also bothered that this one and only spring is held by plastic cap.
All the momentum is concentrated in that small preload plastic part
Nice post
Nice morning coffee watch
long island cereal killer gau
Hi there, i have a question about widening the dropouts. Im working on a fixed gear bike (building it from an old 7 speed gazelle) now im at the point where i need to get new wheels with flip-flop hubs since my wallet isnt that full im worried about buying hubs that don't fit in my frame thewebsite i found them on has 2 hub i guess width measurements, the axlelenght (120mm) and the (if it is even an english thing if i translate it litteraly) the installation width (170mm). I don't know what wich measurement means exactly because the 170mm is nowhere near the width of my dropouts and the 120mm is 3mm shorter than the space between my dropouts. Can i bend them in just like bending them out ? And what do the 2 measurement mean ? my rear dropouts: 123mm link to the hubset i want to buy: www.internet-bikes.com/129718-miche-naaf-achter-primato-pista-pista-32g-hoge-flens-2-lagers-zilver/
I don't know what 170mm is. 120mm is a normal fixed gear hub width.
And can i bend my rear dropouts inwards from 123mm to 120mm ?
If the bike is steel.
Though for just a few mm like that, you could probably just slide the wheel in, and clamp it down.
Oh okey thanks !!
Take the lowers of first. No need for two wrenches.
Usually on these, once you loosen the bolt, then the part inside will just spin and spin with the bolt, and the bolt with not loosen anymore. So then you can try compressing the fork while turning the bolt, which sometimes works. But this is the easiest way.
@@RJTheBikeGuy just push the black pLastic bit all the way up. I have to do it on my forks as i cant get the top cap off.
what, just one spring??
Yep.
woah a 2mm travel fork amazing xD
I used to have this bike a long time ago. If you bottomed the fork out hard enough the plastic preload cap would break & fire out at your face. Good times.
This information is exactly what I was searching for. Did it happen with your bike? Or is it just your assumption?
I am a little bit confused by the fact, that all the tough geometry and all strong metal parts in frame and suspension make no sense, because all this toughness is cancelled by small plastic cap.
Very strange solution...
I'm so surprised only one spring.
after all is done, they look a bit sticky and stiff. not moving so freely
I hate the look of the boot, whats the point of it? Most modern forks don't have them
ah men the forks bounce smoooothly....
usualy suspention is sealed , apart from this one
You apparently haven't worked on many older forks then...
RJ The Bike Guy not this one , they are usually a lot of mass produced bikes , I can only clean & lubricate sub standerd ones .
The main problem is origanly the spring is to stiff but I mainly uae my bike on the road , it can get a little bit choppy .
My bikes are XCR enrage , Yellow original , and Orbea rdion ,
Both bikes have bean rebuilt and improved breaking & bearings gears exe
I've got the same Judy TT fork that was recalled in 2001 on my old GT iDrive 5.0. I called SRAM two days ago and they told me they are still honoring the recall. They said they'd swap it with a Recon if I bring it to an authorized shop. Cool video. The recall says the compression rods can break. How do you feel about that? Should I stop riding it for now? I'm in the process of figuring out which bike shops near me are authorized to perform the swap. Here's the link for the recall: www.thebikerack.com/articles/rockshox-inc.-announces-recall-of-bicycle-forks-pg60.htm
I will have to check that out. I will have to check out the serial number.
@@RJTheBikeGuy After further inspection, I have the serial starting with "01" but mine have the gold colored shaft bolts at the bottom. Supposedly, it was retrofitted and should be safe to ride. I think I'm safe for now. (I hope) However, I will be upgrading the fork.. Any recommendations would be great!
2nd.
Those white socks may not like your dirt on the floor.
We own a washer/dryer set.
RJ The Bike Guy lol