Anti-Dive?

[cadmanmadman]

I see questions in the FAQ section about disconnecting this. I would think it would be a good enhancement unless it is problematic. What happend when it malfunctions? I'm not sure if I've ever ridden a bike that had one or not.....whats the scoop?

[Ratchet_72]

Mine just leak.

[racerman_27410]

the anti dives function as part of the braking system.. they were designed to make the suspension less prone to bottoming out under hard braking ...... the oil flows out thru the bottom of the fork thru the anti dives and then back into the fork.... there is a piston activated by brake line pressure inside each anti dive... activate the brakes and the piston is supposed to close and restrict the oil flow make the forks action stiffer.


in theory it was a good idea but in the real world where people dont change their fork oil and brake fluid every 300 miles it spells harsh fork action and un equally stuck anti dive pistons.


just like the fake reserve "feature"  ... good ideas that just didnt reliably work.

KOokaloo!
Frank

[cadmanmadman]

I keep up on the maintainence alot. The bike is one of the cleanest ones I've ever seen and prev owner was a collector, has only 12,000 mi, etc. But time (its an '87) can certainly have its way with anything.

1) If maintained properly, does it actually work?

2) How do I know if the thing is working properly or not?

3) When I take the thing apart what do I look for?

[andyb]

It does in fact work. 

Look at a modern racebike.  You will not find a similar feature.  This indicates that it doesn't help enough to justify the weight and complexity.

Block it off and spend your time making the forks work well at a more fundamental level, is my opinion.

[FJ Flyer]

Not sure they ever 'worked'.  Do the fork upgrade and get rid of them.  Upgrade to '89 or later forks, 17" front wheel, and R1 calipers all in one shot.    Instructions can now be found in the Files section. 

[Mark Olson]

I keep up on the maintainence alot. The bike is one of the cleanest ones I've ever seen and prev owner was a collector, has only 12,000 mi, etc. But time (its an '87) can certainly have its way with anything.

1) If maintained properly, does it actually work?

2) How do I know if the thing is working properly or not?

3) When I take the thing apart what do I look for?

1) only if you weigh less than 150.

2) when you run wide in a corner and crash, that means they stopped working.

3) a trash can.

Just do the upgrade to later forks and wheel and brakes you will be glad you did.

[86fj1200]

Mine works great! it took awhile to figure out how to adjust them but once set there nice.
but with that being said, I want more modern forks like ohlins. ((((Dreaming)))

[Pat Conlon]

You've got the right idea, but don't wait for Ohlins.
Cartridge forks (i.e.any cartridge forks) are light years beyond damper rod forks. Night and Day.

Mine works great! it took awhile to figure out how to adjust them but once set there nice.
but with that being said, I want more modern forks like ohlins. ((((Dreaming)))

[Marsh White]

Cartridge forks (i.e.any cartridge forks) are light years beyond damper rod forks. Night and Day.

It's true.  I have YZF 600 front cartridge forks on my 89 and all I can say is WOW!  Talk about anti-dive: set them up right and there is literally no dive on braking.

Oh Patrick - I love that pic of you polishing my can!