forks for trials: Wombat

[cuzncletus]

Any recommendations on forks for trials? I've just rebuilt my stock forks but with the steel lowers, they are heavy.

[Bullfrog]

Have you made actual weight comparisons? While the concept of steel sliders might seem "heavy", the sliders are actually quite thin and light weight. I suspect it might be difficult to find forks which are lighter and properly sized to handle an adult rider. You can probably tell that I haven't actually weighed forks for comparison either, but I do know of quite a number of very effective Hodie Trials machines which use the stock Hodaka forks - including my own "Bullfrog".

[BrianZ]

As Ed has already stated, the steel sliders are thin and they are not that heavy. I have also found that the springing is on the soft side which should make them decent for trials, but of course that all depends on the weight of the rider. There were lots of variations in the steel Hodaka forks over the years. There is a write up on the forks in an older issue of the Resonator a few years ago (shameless plug). There is also a Hodaka tech tip article on an air fork conversion that will really save weight (no springs), but I know nothing about the performance or reliability.

Brian

[cuzncletus]

Thanks for the info. Stock forks it is. My weight will soften them up as I'm about 40 lbs. heavier than when I owned my original 73 Wombat. This bike is hardly going to be used at the Tony Bou level anyway.