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Post by bolgerr560 on Jul 26, 2023 10:53:34 GMT 1
Im sure that this has probably already been covered on here at some stage but I just can’t seem to find it. I recently bought a set of yss front springs to go in my f1. The problem is I have no idea how to get the forks apart. They don’t have the usual nut on top like most bikes instead just have a Schrader valve. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Jul 26, 2023 11:38:22 GMT 1
F1 forks have a nut under the top plastic cap
If yours don't then they are F2 forks
Under the cap is a plug with the valve in it held in by a circlip
Steve
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Post by urbantangleweed on Jul 26, 2023 11:49:30 GMT 1
Like Steve says, they sound like F2 forks which I believe are slightly longer than F1?
To remove the top on the F2 type and access the spring, you need to push down the part with the Schrader valve in and remove a spring steel circlip that sits in an internal groove on the inside of the stanchion just above it. Be warned that once the clip is removed, the piece with the valve in can often then try and take your face off or make a break for a far flung corner of the garage, so be careful with this bit......
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Post by bolgerr560 on Jul 26, 2023 12:45:07 GMT 1
Thanks guys. Just like everything else with this bike it’s beginning to look more like a mixed bag. I found it weird that it doesn’t have clip ons like most others and has a set of bars instead. Will the progressive springs even work now if there different forks or am I out of luck?
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Post by urbantangleweed on Jul 26, 2023 13:34:32 GMT 1
Thanks guys. Just like everything else with this bike it’s beginning to look more like a mixed bag. I found it weird that it doesn’t have clip ons like most others and has a set of bars instead. Will the progressive springs even work now if there different forks or am I out of luck? They very often are a mixture of parts. If you do identify the forks as F2, maybe speak to the supplier of the springs to see if they're still compatible? |
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Post by abar121 on Jul 26, 2023 15:50:44 GMT 1
If the springs physically fit they will probably work fine. Spacers can be made up using tube.
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Post by bolgerr560 on Jul 26, 2023 17:42:18 GMT 1
Yeah il have a look this weekend and see how I get on. Is it better to try remove the circlip when the forks are still in the bike or take the forks out to do this? What is the 2p method I’ve read? Is that the same as making different spacers ? Sorry guys I’m new to rd’s so don’t know any of the tricks
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Post by Chewie01 on Jul 26, 2023 18:28:46 GMT 1
I put a set of YYS springs in my F2 a few months ago. It's a bugger of a job to hold the fork leg while pressing down the fork cap and getting a small screw driver in to pop the clip out. And it's not any easier when putting them back together.
I'm sure there must be some trick to it, but I did it with force and lots of swearing.
As for the springs being the right length, I would not expect to have any issues.
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Post by beardy on Jul 26, 2023 18:59:18 GMT 1
Just lower the fork leg through the top yoke about 2” and tighten the bottom yoke nut up. Then use a selection of studding, nuts and washers through the top yoke to wind down the plug and safely remove the circlip. Then unwind the studding contraption 👍🏻
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Post by Chewie01 on Jul 26, 2023 19:13:42 GMT 1
There's a air valve in the middle of the plug. I assume it's OK to press down on it, but I didn't feel comfortable doing it.
Otherwise, thanks for the top tip.
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Post by urbantangleweed on Jul 26, 2023 21:33:22 GMT 1
There's a air valve in the middle of the plug. I assume it's OK to press down on it, but I didn't feel comfortable doing it. Otherwise, thanks for the top tip. Yep. I use a small piece of wood screwed to a leg of the bench at a height where the fork leg, slightly compressed, then comes back up to it holding the fork spring under slight tension. The wood pushes on the Schrader valve to take pressure off the circlip, a small screwdriver or pick can then be used to remove the circlip and the whole assembly can come out from under the wood without too much drama. Done loads and works well. |
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Post by bolgerr560 on Jul 26, 2023 22:02:17 GMT 1
I put a set of YYS springs in my F2 a few months ago. It's a bugger of a job to hold the fork leg while pressing down the fork cap and getting a small screw driver in to pop the clip out. And it's not any easier when putting them back together. I'm sure there must be some trick to it, but I did it with force and lots of swearing. As for the springs being the right length, I would not expect to have any issues. Did you put air into the valve when you had it back together then or just use washers or spacers ? |
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Post by Chewie01 on Jul 26, 2023 22:15:46 GMT 1
I put a set of YYS springs in my F2 a few months ago. It's a bugger of a job to hold the fork leg while pressing down the fork cap and getting a small screw driver in to pop the clip out. And it's not any easier when putting them back together. I'm sure there must be some trick to it, but I did it with force and lots of swearing. As for the springs being the right length, I would not expect to have any issues. Did you put air into the valve when you had it back together then or just use washers or spacers ? I just put the standard level of oil in and put it back together as it came apart. I don't put air in the forks because it's such a small volume and low pressure that it's hard to get it accurate. |
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Post by bolgerr560 on Jul 26, 2023 23:20:05 GMT 1
Perfect. Seems a lot of guys don’t put air back in either. I just checked the manual that came with the springs. Every single rd350 uses the same spring apart from the rd350 F 80-83 so guessing that’s an f1
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Post by JonW on Jul 27, 2023 2:17:52 GMT 1
Perfect. Seems a lot of guys don’t put air back in either. I just checked the manual that came with the springs. Every single rd350 uses the same spring apart from the rd350 F 80-83 so guessing that’s an f1 No. 85 is an F1. 80-82 is an LC, 83 is an LC2... but so is an 84 so that manual isnt telling the whole truth imho. Its better to understand parts by looking at the models and the actual part numbers which you can find in the online parts books. Plus... well worth a read up on rd350lc.net as that will give you a grounding in what year bikes are what. Its worth genning up as you say 'Every single rd350', but after youve read the site above i think you'll agree there are lots of 'rd350' models, the range goes back a long way etc Soon, you'll be know about and be talking about ACs, LCs and YPVSs etc. they are all quite different... tho some parts are shared.  I think time spent on this info will help you identify what youve got in your project and make it easier to get parts and help. Tho pics will also help the lads as many can identify parts on sight, feel free to show n tell as we can and will help where we can. Also... There has been debate about F1 vs F2 fork springs on here before so worth a search perhaps? |
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Post by bolgerr560 on Jul 29, 2023 18:09:59 GMT 1
I put a set of YYS springs in my F2 a few months ago. It's a bugger of a job to hold the fork leg while pressing down the fork cap and getting a small screw driver in to pop the clip out. And it's not any easier when putting them back together. I'm sure there must be some trick to it, but I did it with force and lots of swearing. As for the springs being the right length, I would not expect to have any issues. We’re the yss springs you fitted longer ? Did you use the standard spacer with them or how did it work? |
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Post by Chewie01 on Jul 30, 2023 13:13:52 GMT 1
I put a set of YYS springs in my F2 a few months ago. It's a bugger of a job to hold the fork leg while pressing down the fork cap and getting a small screw driver in to pop the clip out. And it's not any easier when putting them back together. I'm sure there must be some trick to it, but I did it with force and lots of swearing. As for the springs being the right length, I would not expect to have any issues. We’re the yss springs you fitted longer ? Did you use the standard spacer with them or how did it work? This is the part code from the springs I got and fitted into my F2. Are they better than it was before? Yes Do they transform the handling? No not really, but you wouldn't expect that with just a set of springs. Correction. This was the label from the rear shock. I'm surprised nobody picked up on it.  IMG20230730130532 by Ian Niblett, on Flickr |
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