Anyone know of a Coil Spring kit for...
Discussion
a very old pair of Pace RC35 MD forks?
I purchased then new in 1996ish and I replaced the Elastomer stack once, around 2001, but re-greesed them in between. However for the last few years the bike's been in the shed and pretty much unused. I recently got the bike out and have been around the local lanes etc. However after taken a closer look at the fork it looks like it has much less travel than I remember
Pulling the fork up while holding the front wheel to the ground revealed all the travel that was there
Although I haven't taken the fork apart yet it appears the elastomer stack has just disintegrated leaving less than ½" of springey travel 
I've contacted Pace but they don't have any elastomer stacks left and do not offer a coil spring upgrade either, although they are hoping to find someone prepared to make up some more stacks in the future
Does anyone know of a coil spring kit for these ancient forks or have any brigh ideas?
I purchased then new in 1996ish and I replaced the Elastomer stack once, around 2001, but re-greesed them in between. However for the last few years the bike's been in the shed and pretty much unused. I recently got the bike out and have been around the local lanes etc. However after taken a closer look at the fork it looks like it has much less travel than I remember
Pulling the fork up while holding the front wheel to the ground revealed all the travel that was there
Although I haven't taken the fork apart yet it appears the elastomer stack has just disintegrated leaving less than ½" of springey travel I've contacted Pace but they don't have any elastomer stacks left and do not offer a coil spring upgrade either, although they are hoping to find someone prepared to make up some more stacks in the future
Does anyone know of a coil spring kit for these ancient forks or have any brigh ideas?
Might also be worth looking on Retrobike. Plenty of helpful chaps on there and the classifieds section can be a gold mine for stuff like that. http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/
Does the elastomer also not provide the damping as well though?
If they do then you'll need a damping cartridge, which makes it a pointless exercise as you'll effectively be re-engineering the entire fork. It'll cost you a fortune and many many hours - new forks would be easier cheaper - assuming you can still buy 1" steerer forks.
If it has damping separate to the elastomer stack, then just call up a spring manufacturer and tell them what size you want.
Through a bit of trial and error I transformed a set of Jr Ts which I have fitted to a MTB tandem. I ended up using a combination of two springs with shims to create a rising rate effect - coupled with heaver oil, it was if they were designed for the bike. It's fun getting it right as well if you like to tinker. I think it cost me about £40 all in.
If they do then you'll need a damping cartridge, which makes it a pointless exercise as you'll effectively be re-engineering the entire fork. It'll cost you a fortune and many many hours - new forks would be easier cheaper - assuming you can still buy 1" steerer forks.
If it has damping separate to the elastomer stack, then just call up a spring manufacturer and tell them what size you want.
Through a bit of trial and error I transformed a set of Jr Ts which I have fitted to a MTB tandem. I ended up using a combination of two springs with shims to create a rising rate effect - coupled with heaver oil, it was if they were designed for the bike. It's fun getting it right as well if you like to tinker. I think it cost me about £40 all in.
Already on the case with Retrobike, and have a lead to follow up thanks, 
Yes, the elastomer does have damping properties, but one of the legs has an adjustable oil damping cartridge. However thinking about it I doubt that would be enough to control coil springs as it's surely setup with the inhenent damping of the elastomer taken into consideration, oh well.
Yes, the elastomer does have damping properties, but one of the legs has an adjustable oil damping cartridge. However thinking about it I doubt that would be enough to control coil springs as it's surely setup with the inhenent damping of the elastomer taken into consideration, oh well.
Mr_Yogi said:
Already on the case with Retrobike, and have a lead to follow up thanks,
Yes, the elastomer does have damping properties, but one of the legs has an adjustable oil damping cartridge. However thinking about it I doubt that would be enough to control coil springs as it's surely setup with the inhenent damping of the elastomer taken into consideration, oh well.
Changing the weight of the fork oil will increase the damping properties by some way though if you pick a higher viscosity. Yes, the elastomer does have damping properties, but one of the legs has an adjustable oil damping cartridge. However thinking about it I doubt that would be enough to control coil springs as it's surely setup with the inhenent damping of the elastomer taken into consideration, oh well.
Work out what the fork stroke is, i.e. the length of the spring you'll need, and then measure the ID of the fork internals. Call up a spring manufacturer/supplier and tell them you want a spring x length and x diam, for a set of bike forks. Tell them it has to support x weight and get them to send you several different weights that are their closest off the shelf sizes - they'll be three of four quid each max.
That's all I did when determining what springs I needed.
Thanks for the reply, I've spoken Tim Price of Fork English (who was recommended to be from the retrobike site), he used to work for Pace and he should be able to convert the forks to coil spring. He's done one RC35 MD already and he'll service the damper unit and the rest of the fork as well. He said he used coils from the Pace Evo II or III forks. Price seems good too, just got to get them off the bike and parcel them up 
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