I have been very regular about doing the oil bath 50 hour treatment every other month, and have had very few problems with the fork since I began servicing it myself (did it first w/ my LBS just in case). My travel adjust hasn't been working for a while (will not raise back to 150mm w/o me pulling down on the tire), and I've had the bike for a year now, so I believe it's time for the "full service".
Has anyone sent their e150/AFR in for a full service yet? I read S-S-T's post a while back stating that we should contact our LBS prior to bringing the bike in to minimize downtime. He also mentioned that we could request certain things to be tweaked on the fork (ie. a lighter negative air spring, etc.) I'm pretty sure my LBS will have no idea what the full service is when I call (not sure they've sold more than a handful of SLs), and would like to be armed with some answers.
I weigh about 170lbs with gear on, so I don't know if I qualify as "light" for a lighter negative air spring, but I have had issues with the fork not rebounding all the way (has about 1/4" of stiction) I also have issues with the AFR bottoming out too easily (and the e150 to some extent), and being too harsh if I firm it up to prevent bottom outs (talking 2 footer bottoms the sucker out at minimum recommended sag). Any tuning tips that I should relay to the LBS would be great. I would love for this process to go smoothly, and need a new rear wheel built up anyway so the downtime won't be too painful.
I am also concerned that my fork seals may not be up to snuff, as my e150 leaks a lot more oil than any other one I have seen in person. I did buy a 2008 SL, but my fork was quickly replaced due to the LBS having problems getting it to work properly, and my current fork says 07 on the lower leg. I'm wondering if the 2008 seals may be better than the 2007's.
I also ride an XL frame, and have heard that the XL forks use slightly longer cartridges than normal, so I need to make sure they remember that.
Any input would be great--can't wait to have a "like-new" fully working e150 again.
Has anyone sent their e150/AFR in for a full service yet? I read S-S-T's post a while back stating that we should contact our LBS prior to bringing the bike in to minimize downtime. He also mentioned that we could request certain things to be tweaked on the fork (ie. a lighter negative air spring, etc.) I'm pretty sure my LBS will have no idea what the full service is when I call (not sure they've sold more than a handful of SLs), and would like to be armed with some answers.
I weigh about 170lbs with gear on, so I don't know if I qualify as "light" for a lighter negative air spring, but I have had issues with the fork not rebounding all the way (has about 1/4" of stiction) I also have issues with the AFR bottoming out too easily (and the e150 to some extent), and being too harsh if I firm it up to prevent bottom outs (talking 2 footer bottoms the sucker out at minimum recommended sag). Any tuning tips that I should relay to the LBS would be great. I would love for this process to go smoothly, and need a new rear wheel built up anyway so the downtime won't be too painful.
I am also concerned that my fork seals may not be up to snuff, as my e150 leaks a lot more oil than any other one I have seen in person. I did buy a 2008 SL, but my fork was quickly replaced due to the LBS having problems getting it to work properly, and my current fork says 07 on the lower leg. I'm wondering if the 2008 seals may be better than the 2007's.
I also ride an XL frame, and have heard that the XL forks use slightly longer cartridges than normal, so I need to make sure they remember that.
Any input would be great--can't wait to have a "like-new" fully working e150 again.
