Fork Adjustment

[karlloss]

Just been tinkering with my MK2, thought I'd check the front fork adjustment, the manual says 2.5 turns. Now here is the problem, the R/H fork has 2 1/4 turns on the top adjuster, the L/H fork has 4 turns on top adjuster. I am presuming this is the damping, and not the preload, as the adjusters have a 'click' about every 1/3 of a turn, which from experience of other bikes means its a damper setting, and this would be the rebound damping, as spring preload is usually just a screw in without the clicks.

However I am at a loss to why one fork has nearly twice as much adjustment as the other, any ideas?

[lgingell]

you are correct - both adjusters should have the same "range of movement".

this problem can happen when the top cap has been removed from the damping rod (to change oil, springs, fork seals etc) and not put back on in the correct position.

It can be easily fixed.

The next time you have the forks apart, when you remove the top cap from the damping cartidge rod, measue the exposed thread. It should be the same on both forks, in your case it may be different.

To rectify, just ensure each top cap is screwed onto the damping rod by the same amount - this should ensure each damping srew (and needle0 turns the same amount before "bottoming out" in the adjuster.

[fallenmikethebike]

MK2 top adjusters sounds like replacements forks, probably from a 90'S CR125.
Are there also dampers in the bottom of the fork leg?
If so, they would be compression, and the top should be rebound damping adjusters.
??
Mike

[karlloss]

Yes there are dampers in the bottom of the fork. The forks look original and still have the KAE 871 number on the leg. Looking at the schematic diagram in the manual there should be an adjuster in the bottom of the MK2, MK3 and AR forks. The adjuster on the top of my forks is a blue anodised knurled ring with the air release valve in the centre. The speedo drive is all connected and the front hub is definitely CRM, so I don't think the forks are CR ones.

[knackeredMk1]

You have modified CRM forks.

[karlloss]

I was thinking that they might be modified, not sure if it's an adavantage at this point!