to block or not to block?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:30 am
Good morning all. I used to put a wood block between the front tire
before ratcheting-down. But after several times I stopped--not sure
why either. But I've driven thousands of miles this way and it has
never caused any damage for me. However, as suggested, you can use a
scrap 4x4 (wood) or buy the device from the device from a shop if you
like.
I think we need to have a special show on Discovery Channel dedicated
to busting or confirming our KLR mysths. Now, I am not 100% sure
either way on this. But the fact is once you start compressing the
forks, the same pressure will apply to the seals regardless of
block/or not assuming equal depths and perhaps negligible differences
at near-equal depths. E.g. clamping the forks to 50% capacity exerts
the same pressure at the seals REGARDLESS blocked or not. The only
possible argument is for a block that limits compression to a certain
depth (which is what "blockers" are recommending) which is less than
where you're comfortable clamping forks down without the block ("non-
blockers" like me clamping down hard and heavy). We're not talking
about gas charged shocks here. We're talking about fluid dynamics
and forks designed to withstand these hydraulic pressures. Let's
stop and look at look what we do in the field. 75mph loaded with
gear humming across the desert and hit a whopper of a dip that
instantaneously compresses those forks near bottom. The hydraulic
pressure is tremendous. Which is what these fork tubes and seals are
designed to do and endure. Now some will argue this is max moment
load vs. steady state, but I'll suggest this F_max is much more (a
high multiplier!) than you will ever sustain ratcheting in your truck
bed while under normal driving conditions (vs. going over a
cliff...you know who you are!).
Where you could have problems is in a situation of extreme temp or
altitude change (pressure change) over time where the compressed fork
temp and pressure rise while the fork is strapped in a compressed
steady state. Where would the added pressure go if it couldn't be
further compressed and contained in the fork chamber?
pssssssssssssssssssss! Again, unlikely but possible especially if
held compressed for extreme periods of time.
Now, I've changed fork seals in the KLR and these buggers are pretty
robust. I remember sending one fork 150 psi to remove a stubborn
seal, and it didn't budge and no oil skirted the seal. I
finally "massaged" it with an awl while applying a reasonable 60
psi. The other popped at 60 psi within 3 seconds. Remember there is
a retaining ring that holds this seal from blowing-out. That ring is
extremely important to the seal's integrity. But that seal itself is
far beyond some rubber o-ring or cheap plastic some might envision.
Frankly, it's rather burly like it needs to be. A seal blow-out
could seriously injure or even kill someone.
Best regards - Brian
--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Don Pendergraft"
wrote:
piece of> > I have read this as well. I have also read that you can cut a short
have the> PVC and vertically wedge it between your tire and fender and then
next time I> freedom to crank away on those straps! I will have to try it the
[mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On> have to load my bike in a pickup. > > Don+ > > _____ > > From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com
fork> Behalf Of Dooden > Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 6:22 AM > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Got me a NEW used Truck > > > > > Advise DO NOT RATCHET the front end too tight, the forks will > compress and if left that way chances are you will be replacing
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJlZTZpbmc 1BF9TA> seals, there is aproduct made to fit between the front tire and the > fender mounting area that keeps the froks from compressing. (cut a > chunk of 2x4 if you want) > > > > Recent Activity > > * > > 15 > New >
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