Servicing and possibly upgrading RS Judy DH 95's

[d8mok]

Apart from a few outliers most forks are air sprung these days, infinitely adjustable and even lighter than elastomers. I suspect the fairly rapid (in most cases) deterioration, possible inconsistencies in manufacturer and the fact that with air they don't have to manufacture anything at all, just add a couple of seals and a valve, lead to their demise.
Edit: I have several sets of Judys in use with full springs, full elastomers and type 2 spring/elastomer combos, they all work, are simple to work on and are relatively light, they're not the best forks in the world but are of their time. The worst thing is they can look immaculate from the outside but be completely fudged when you get them apart.

Yeh I realise most of the mainstream ones are air but many upgrade them with Push to a coil. You can’t beat a coil for feel and big hit.

They don’t upgrade them to a elastomer

I’ve 5 or 6 sets of SL’s and all have different combos of internals. None original though but by far the best is the spring converted ones for actually riding.

 

[ishaw]

Look very clean. With regards to the elastomer stacks being a different size, they are also a different number count..1 side has 6, the other 5 so whether you go spring or elastomer, you'll need to sort that if you go the latter. You may need an additional judy Jax to join on the missing elastomer (the black plastic bit between elastomer).

Nice job on the decal resto btw.

 

[Tsundere]

Just unloaded the internals and I found this, is it stock? Or some aftermarket damper cartridge?


Also I thought DH had dampers in both legs?

 

[benjabbi]

Yeh I realise most of the mainstream ones are air but many upgrade them with Push to a coil. You can’t beat a coil for feel and big hit.

They don’t upgrade them to a elastomer

I’ve 5 or 6 sets of SL’s and all have different combos of internals. None original though but by far the best is the spring converted ones for actually riding.

I suspect ease of adjustment on the shop floor is the main reason for air, a single shock pump is a damn sight cheaper than multiple weight coils, for multiple brands and models of fork.
I think my coil Judys are perhaps a bit plusher off the top than the elastomers but the real truth of it is they're not great whatevers in them.

 

[benjabbi]

Just unloaded the internals and I found this, is it stock? Or some aftermarket damper cartridge?
View attachment 848073

Also I thought DH had dampers in both legs?

That is the dream find in an early judy. Lucky you.

 

[Tsundere]

That is the dream find in an early judy. Lucky you.

Tell me more

 

[benjabbi]

Tell me more

Basically they were metal tubed before Rockshox did it and if I remember correctly handled both compression and rebound damping with the same cartridge. Still available, along with all the seals etc.

75mm GEM Cartride | Risse Racing Online Store

Edit: Not 100% sure, not had a set of DHs since they were current but I think 95s had a single plastic cartridge, then for 96 they went to dual metal ones? I'm sure someone will quite welcomely correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[Tsundere]

$150

I much prefer the original aesthetic, I know it's out of sight but these things matter.

 

[benjabbi]

$150

I much prefer the original aesthetic, I know it's out of sight but these things matter.

Sadly, I think your best chance of original cartridges is another complete fork and the DHs seem to come up less often and command a premium over XCs and SLs.
The Risse cartridge was considered a high end upgrade back in the day,

 

[Tsundere]

Sadly, I think your best chance of original cartridges is another complete fork and the DHs seem to come up less often and command a premium over XCs and SLs.
The Risse cartridge was considered a high end upgrade back in the day,

No lol, I meant original Risse vs 2024 Risse aesthetics, I'll absolutely stick with the unexpected high end upgrade