[Derek]

I think at least one person on this forum has fitted Andreanni cartridges to the front forks. Can anyone tell me what's involved in fitting them? I am mechanically very competent but would like to know what I might be in for before jumping in and buying a set.

 

[vincelp]

Hello

I haven't fitted Andreani cartridges in my fork, but I've read a lot about it and I've fitted Wilbers progressive springs in my forks, so I well know how the fork is built.

Fitting an Andreani cartridge in the right leg is quite easy as there is already a damping cartridge in and the Andreani cartridge comes in place of it.

In the left leg, it's lot more complex : you need two specific tools, a first one to remove the inner cap upon the spring, a second one to remove the fork tube from the bottom part of the fork. Then, you need to modify the bottom part of the fork, so that you can fit in the cartridge. Maybe, you can just dismount the fork by removing the tube from the bottom part, don't know if it's possible when the spring is still there compressed within the tube.

As far as I understand, you really need to be well equipped and skilled to modify the left leg.

Another solution is mounting a Maxton cartridge only in the right leg : less expensive, a lot more easy, but certainly a little bit less efficient

 

[Derek]

Thanks for that. That's more or less what I thought might be the case. Due to the complexity of fitting the cartridge to the LH leg I may end up with the Maxton setup but the possibility of both compression and rebound adjustment is very compelling. Maxton can offer that but it's hellish expensive.

 

[Graeme]

The less expensive Maxton solution works well for me and feels more than good enough for general road use. Bottom line is I am no longer constantly thinking what the front handling is going to throw at me any more. It is not a magic carpet ride but has more than made up for the inept stock set up.

 

[Simon Audi]

You can post your forks to FTR and they will either supply and fit the cartridges or fit ones you have bought for around £100

Elvisto fitted his own cartridges and made the special tools and will offer them for rent/loan.

But for 2 lots of postage and £100 maybe that's the least risk option unless you are a good mechanic and have machining capability if the grub screws don't want to come out.

Your call.

 

[littleowl]

I also sent my forks to FTR and they kitted them out for me. There is a grub screw which attaches the bottom part of the fork that is almost impossible to remove without destroying it, I'm not competent to do that kind of stuff anyway so left it to the experts.

 

[Derek]

Thanks all for your replies

 

[ELVISTO]

Only just noticed this post,

Derek , let someone else do it for you, it's not worth the hassle,

The left leg has a grub screw on the bottom casting and you need to drill it out, then you need a tool to unscrew the leg, ( Like Simon says I made a tool ) you are very welcome to borrow it if you go ahead,

 

[bounty320i]

Yep- get it done by a specialist.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mr shifter]

Derek I'm quite mechanically competent but had the guys in the dealers workshop replace mine because I realised it wasn't as easy as I first thought and you do need special tools.

Geoff.

 

[Derek]

OK. You guys have convinced me, this is not a DIY job. Which is why I asked in the first place. I didn't want to take on the job then find it was more than I was comfortable with.