AMP F4 in muddy conditions?
Ole Blokhus
I'm riding an AMP B4 with a Judy SL (with a 75mm White Bros. HB+) up front,
and I want to exchange it for the new AMP F4 BLT fork. To be honest, the Judy
simply isn't as good as the rear end. It seems a LOT harsher and doesn't have
a very good quality 75mm travel. I know I could replace the MCUs with Judd
springs, but I'm not convinced that would do it either.
My biggest concern with the F4 BLT, is the longevity of the seals and bushings.
On my frame, I've had no problems with the bushings, but I've had to cover the
shock up with a Lizard Skin neoprene cover, and also glue (!!) a 1mm aluminum
plate across the top of the shockstay, where the shock shaft comes out when the
shock is compressed. This has increased seal life by as much as probably 10
times. I ride a lot on very wet and muddy trails (we seem to have a lot of that
here in Norway.)
So what I need to know here is: Does anybody out there know how to seal off the
dual shocks on the F4 BLT? I know about the Millhouse "thing" that covers the
entire likage, but it just looks too darn goofy! Is there room to cover the
shocks/springs with a road tube? AMP research doesn't seem to know either...
I also ride a lot of very techical trails. Any F4 owners out there who knows how
the fork behaves under those conditions? I'm thinking of the "J" pattern that
the wheel follows when the fork is compressed. That seems to make sense when
going at speed over bumps, but what about going down a VERY steep hill, with big
rocks? Will the wheel move back so far, compared to my Judy SL, that I'll flip
over the handlebars?
Also, my Judys have gotten very sloppy, back and forth. Is it possible to
replace the slider bearings? And if I do, will that tighten up the fork? My 2
LBS have given me 2 different answers.
Ole Blokhus
ol...@powertech.no
Flailer
Ole Blokhus wrote:
> I'm riding an AMP B4 with a Judy SL (with a 75mm White Bros. HB+) up front,
> and I want to exchange it for the new AMP F4 BLT fork.
> To be honest, the Judy
> simply isn't as good as the rear end.
> bushings.
I rode throughout the sloppy winter here in Oregon, without a
problem on the seals.
I did not use the "Millhouse thingie" as the seals looked good,
and I knew that if there was going to be a problem I'd find out
while it was still under warrenty.
The seals on the F4 look just as good to me.
I agree with the wheel-slop one will see from the other forks (telescopic)
About the J path the forks follows;
You will see LESS head-angle change than on a telescopic fork, as the
front of the frame does not drop as low during the compression.
Thus better handling, I believe, in my opinion.
Flailer
lase...@cdsnet.net
Ray Ruyack
I've been using the B4 for about 1.5 years and the F4 for 6 months or so.
You shouldn't have much of a problem with seals. At this time I am not
aware of Millhouse making a cover for the dual-shock AMP shocks, when I
did us the Millhouse on my previous F2 it did keep some gunk off of the
shock.
The F4BLT kicks for technical riding. You will have a blast with it. The
carbon fiber legs are no longer available due to too many inconsistencies
of shipments. New F4 forks have darker AL legs.
Do the disc!
Any questions - drop me an e-mail. Been AMPing for about 5 years and have
found and worked out most every problem you could have with an AMP.
Coming soon from AMP?????? E-mail me.
Ray Ruyack "Work less, ride more."
Roan Hurst
Flailer (lase...@cdsnet.net) writes:
>
> I agree with the wheel-slop one will see from the other forks (telescopic)
>
> About the J path the forks follows;
> You will see LESS head-angle change than on a telescopic fork, as the
> front of the frame does not drop as low during the compression.
> Thus better handling, I believe, in my opinion.
>
> Flailer
Yup. Same principle as used by Softride on their Prostem. Superior
handling to the telescoping system.
--
Roan Hurst
Partner and Director (613) 730 0891
Ottawa Valley Off Road Adventures http://www.wp.com/ovora
Guided Mt. Biking and City Tours
Scott Corbin
Ole Blokhus wrote:
> ---snip---
> So what I need to know here is: Does anybody out there know how to seal off the
> dual shocks on the F4 BLT? I know about the Millhouse "thing" that covers the
> entire likage, but it just looks too darn goofy! Is there room to cover the
> shocks/springs with a road tube? AMP research doesn't seem to know either...
>
> Ole Blokhus
> ol...@powertech.no
On my F4 BLT, I use an accordian boot over top of the damper rods to
keep dirt
away from the damper's oil seals. This boot is very similar to those
used on
V-brakes, only somewhat larger. It is a Suzuki motorcycle brake cable
boot;
Suzuki part number 09287-07001. I used 4 segments (half the boot) to
cover
each of the rods. To get it on you will need to oil the boot and
stretch it
over the pivot at the end of the rod.
I've been using White Lightning on pivots. WL slowly works its way out
of the
pivots carrying any dirt that trys to penetrate them.
Scott
James Carroll
Ole Blokhus wrote:
>
> I'm riding an AMP B4 with a Judy SL (with a 75mm White Bros. HB+) up front,
> and I want to exchange it for the new AMP F4 BLT fork. To be honest, the Judy
> a very good quality 75mm travel. I know I could replace the MCUs with Judd
> springs, but I'm not convinced that would do it either.
>
> shock up with a Lizard Skin neoprene cover, and also glue (!!) a 1mm aluminum
> plate across the top of the shockstay, where the shock shaft comes out when the
> shock is compressed. This has increased seal life by as much as probably 10
> times. I ride a lot on very wet and muddy trails (we seem to have a lot of that
> here in Norway.)
>
> dual shocks on the F4 BLT? I know about the Millhouse "thing" that covers the
> entire likage, but it just looks too darn goofy! Is there room to cover the
> shocks/springs with a road tube? AMP research doesn't seem to know either...
>
> the fork behaves under those conditions? I'm thinking of the "J" pattern that
> the wheel follows when the fork is compressed. That seems to make sense when
> going at speed over bumps, but what about going down a VERY steep hill, with big
> rocks? Will the wheel move back so far, compared to my Judy SL, that I'll flip
> over the handlebars?
>
> Also, my Judys have gotten very sloppy, back and forth. Is it possible to
> replace the slider bearings? And if I do, will that tighten up the fork? My 2
> LBS have given me 2 different answers.
>
> Ole Blokhus
> ol...@powertech.no
I rode an F3 for a while and an F2 previous to that. The bushings on
the F3 and
F4 are much more durable than those of previous AMPs. If you look at
the fork
closesly you'll see several obvious improvements to help keep muck out.
I don't
think you'll have any problems with the fork compared to the Judy.
James