November, 2000
IMPORTANT SERVICE BUL-
LETIN
To:
Cannondale Retailers
From: Cannondale Corporation
Re:
Inspection of Silk Road forks
This bulletin pertains to "Silk Road" road bike suspension forks used on 1995,
1996, 1997, 1998 and a handful of 1999 model year bicycles and frames.
These Silk Road forks were made with more conventional, raked and tapered
round fork blades as illustrated here.
With enough use, Cannondale has seen some of these forks develop cracks.
Such forks have reached the end of their fatigue life. Because the cracks we
have seen occur in one area and are relatively easy to spot, we want you to
know where to look.
Common sense and the reality of fatigue suggests that the
more a rider uses his bike and the harder it is used, the more
frequently it should be inspected. That said, it is advisable
to check all Silk Road forks of this design that come into your
shop for service.
- Please cut the zip tie that holds in place the lower edge of the protective
rubber boot.
- Pull up on the boot (Fig. 1) and clean the fork crown where it meets the
steel inner steering tube.
- Once clean, carefully inspect this uppermost area of the aluminum fork
crown for cracks (Fig. 2). Do this inspection in good light, and look at
all 360 degrees.
- Please also check for corrosion at the interface of the crown and inner
steering tube. If the fork has been well maintained and lubricated this
will not be a problem. If not, and if water has accumulated in this area,
there may be corrosion.
- Either a crack, no matter how small, or significant corrosion are reasons
to stop using the fork. If no crack is seen, and there is no significant
corrosion, the fork has more life and can continue to be used. In this
case grease the lower portion of the inner steering tube and reattach
the boot with a new zip tie.
- For details on the service or overhaul of these forks see the
HeadShok service manual. You are also welcome to return the
fork to Cannondale and we can service it for you.
- Should you find a fork with a crack or significant corrosion, please
call Cannondale at 800-726-2453 for warranty replacement.
WARNING: Do not ride a fork with a crack. Fork failure could
lead to serious injury or death.
