Front forks won't rebound

TheFlyingKiwi

Joined

Nov 28, 2024

Messages

2

• Thursday at 12:48 PM

• #1

Hi,

I've just picked up my first Norton, a 1971 750 Commando. The bike was sent down with a bike relocation company, but I think they may have tied it down too much. When I sit on the bike the forks fully compress and don't rebound. Can these be adjusted / reset? Or is it a big repair? Thanks in advance!

 

L.A.B.

Moderator

VIP MEMBER

Joined

Nov 20, 2004

Messages

20,416

• Thursday at 2:18 PM

• #2

You could try slackening the axle, mudguard mounts, lower yoke pinchbolts and stem nut then pump the forks vigorously with the brake on as that might realign the forks.

 

Torontonian

Joined

Dec 28, 2009

Messages

5,421

• Thursday at 4:13 PM

• #3

Yes do that , but if nothing brings things back up where they should be , I'd suspect the springs to be finished and in need of replacement .
How many miles on the bike ?

 

o0norton0o

VIP MEMBER

Joined

Apr 27, 2015

Messages

1,999

• Thursday at 5:20 PM

• #4

Take it apart and look. When I was doing a customized damper project I think I took my front damper cartridges in and out about a dozen times in 2 months... It's really not all that technical... or difficult. Don't psych yourself out thinking, "OMG, I've never done this before!" It's not like assembling an engine,... it's simple stuff.

 

TheFlyingKiwi

Joined

Nov 28, 2024

Messages

2

• Thursday at 5:28 PM

• #5

Thanks for the replies! Sounds like I have a project for the weekend.

 

o0norton0o

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Joined

Apr 27, 2015

Messages

1,999

• Thursday at 5:38 PM

• #6

there's numerous videos on youtube showing rebuilds of your forks.... so you have a lot of resources

 

D

dobba99

Joined

Jan 25, 2014

Messages

425

• Friday at 3:04 AM

• #7

It could well have 53 yr old fork oil (or whats left of it, probably smelly oily water) along with corroded springs,damper rods, tubes etc Overhaul required

 

Northern Norton Nut

Joined

Nov 18, 2021

Messages

36

• Friday at 8:35 AM

• #8

TheFlyingKiwi said:

Hi,

I've just picked up my first Norton, a 1971 750 Commando. The bike was sent down with a bike relocation company, but I think they may have tied it down too much. When I sit on the bike the forks fully compress and don't rebound. Can these be adjusted / reset? Or is it a big repair? Thanks in advance!

Click to expand...

Hi; Since this is your first Norton. I'm just checking that you are aware that if you remove both top nuts at the same time that the bike will collapse toward the floor.