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Fox 36 float, How to adjust the travel.

My On One Evo feels great at 165 but I wanted to lower the 36 so, I could ride more street and DJs. I think 145mm will still be more than plenty for trial riding. Please enjoy the 36's overhaul! RideOn!

91 Comments

  • + 1
 Hi Niko! Thank you for making this video, one of the best if not the best for lowering a Float. I will be lowering one in a few weeks and would you mind if I ask a couple questions real quick? Do you happen to know if this is the same exact procedure to use for a 2010 model 36 Float RC2 160? Also, when you say to add 20cc of oil before you replace the washer and nut what type of oil is it that you use, Float fluid or something else? And you just add the oil through the bottom hole where the threaded rod is correct?

Thank you for your time Niko! I apologize if you went over this in the previous 66 comments here, but that's a lot of time taken to read through and I don't have that amount of time afforded to me at the moment, hahaa.

Happy New Year!
  • + 1
 Happy New Year Draggon!
Did you have a great vacation?

Thank you for the complements.
I want to do more overhaul videos as I love to tinker.

As for the procedure, you are spot on!
The air system is exactly the same so for the 2010 36 you can lower or raise the fork just the same.

I use slick honey only but the oil in the bottom of the lower air system is for lubrication.
I don't add any oil as I use slick honey but, Fox recommends to use their special lower oil, which is different that the float fluid.

Of course float fluid would be perfect or any fork oil for that matter, I would say 10-15wt fork oil would be the best to use. Its not dampening its just for lube!

hhhahaahhaahahhahahhahhahah
Don't worry reading the other comments, I wouldn't want to again either!
hhahhahhaah

Let me know if you need any further advice!
But Im sure the video is easy to understand!

RideOn bro!
Happy New Year!
  • + 1
 That's awesome, thank you very much! If I come up with any other questions I will definitely call on your knowledge if you don't mind. Btw, I don't know why we aren't already friends here but I know one fine gentleman they call the lengendary Niko that is about to get a new follower, hahaa.
  • + 1
 Thank you very much Draggon!
hahaha
I had no idea I was called the legendary Niko but I will accept that status!
hhahahhahah

Im from Orange County California, but have been here in Japan for 13 years.
Maybe we were friends in school?

RideOn bro!
Please have a great new season!
  • + 1
 Hahaa, nah.....I have been in NorCal since I was 3yo, before that I was in Poland where I was born, hahaa. I thank my Dad everyday for moving us here, hahaa. But my wife's family is from SoCal, Hunnington Beach area. Great to meet you Niko! I have enjoyed all that I have come across from you here on PB. Cheers to the wonderful bicycle and the happiness that it brings!
  • + 1
 Well, maybe we did never see each other then, ahahhah I grew up on Orange so about 20-30 minutes from Huntington Beach. Glad to meet you too Draggon! I try to keep everything as positive as possible here on PB! RideOn Bro, lets keep the Happiness, ahahha
  • + 1
 Happy......no other way to be tup
  • + 1
 Well I lowered the Float and it was ridiculously easy, but I feel this video helped in making it soo easy, thank you brother!
  • + 1
 RideOn Draggon! Thats wicked, Im super glad you got through it easily. It is really easy, I hope this gives you the confidence to work on all your suspension in the future!
  • + 1
 Awesome vid as usual!

Just a quick question, I'm raising a Float 32 Fit RLC and the Fox oil volume chart suggests 30ml of oil in the cartridge damper side, and 7ml of Fox float fluid in the air assembly. I noticed you have put in more! Is that what is recommended for a 36 or do you know something we don't?
  • + 0
 Thank you mate!

The reason I put more is simple.
The more oil means less air volume so the fork will ride more progressive.
Meaning with the same amount of sag, you will have more stability mid stroke instead of a funky dive or wallow.
Then with more oil you can run a tad lower air but get a firmer ride.
So, its more for aggressive riding, jumps, drops and higher speed!

Does that make sense?

Now on the lowers, I dont use oil at all, I just slather lots of SlickHoney and that keeps things super smooth.

Good luck with the overhaul!

RideOn Mate!
  • + 1
 Awesome! Cheers for the info, super helpful. So where do you put the 20cc of oil again? Sorry, new to this.

Cheers, you too mate!
  • + 1
 Im sorry mate! The oil goes directly into the main air chamber!
  • + 1
 Great video! Just wanted to ask if you've ever lowered a 2011 Fox float 180mm. I recently lowered mine down to 100mm but became noisy (like the springs were being squished) put it back to 120 with less noise but not happy with the outcome because the travel is too long from what I'm used to on my DJ bike. Just wondering if its ok to bring it back down to 100 again... And I think I'm losing air... hehe. Thanks a lot!

PS Bought the fork brand new a few days ago so I find it odd that I'm losing air.. Thanks!

Great video, great step by step by step instructions
  • + 1
 You can lower down to 100 but you have to be careful about the air pressure. You can't run it too high as the chamber and negative springs are made for lower pressure. If the fork is at 180-160mm 100psi is much less pressure than if it were at 100mm with 100psi. So lower to 100mm but just run less air, or call fox and see if you can get heavier weight springs. Here in Japan I cant get after parts for fox so I swapped the negative springs for Suntour Durolux negative springs and the funny sound went away! I hope that helps bro! RideOn!
  • + 1
 this was a very informative vid, sir. better than reading a manufacturer's downloadable PDF tech manual. would like to ask for your help though. ...

i recently self-serviced my own fork, changing it's travel from 120mm to 140mm; i bought it (an Epicon 2011 model -- i know, it's not a Fox Float, but please indulge me for a bit) as a 100mm fork a year ago, but had it immediately changed to a 120mm. been using it for trails & some non-competitive technical DH. my problem now is that i'm slowly losing pressure after i made the mod. so i decide to reverse the process and change it back to 120mm ( i followed Suntour's technical guide both times i serviced the fork -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=23qu_gtZq3w ), but i'm still getting the leak. took out the piston-gasket assembly & inspected both the plastic piston & the rubber gasket -- no damage for both. cleaned out & inspected the stanchion -- no damage there either. the Schrader valve isn't leaking when i tested it with water (no bubbles). is there anything you apply to your piston/stanchion to maintain an air seal? the air spring of my fork didn't have any oil in it or anything when i took it apart, just some white-colored grease. (the technical vid doesn't show any oil or fluid i need to drain out & replenish either.) is there a special type of grease or sealant compound which i need to use for the piston & inner stanchion?

hope you can give a few suggestions. thanks very much for your time. happy new year.
  • + 0
 Sounds great buddy!

I think you should try changing the dust seals, new dust seals will help hold in the air.
Also if possible get a new air piston, its new o-ring should help keep the Epicon riding smooth.

There should be no problem running it at 140 just the seals are wore out a little, I assume.

My 2010 Durolux from suntour started leaking too, I changed the piston and the dust seals, now its working like new again.

As for great on the inside of the air spring, you can use "slick Honey" like in this video.
Also Shimano's hub grease works great.

The difficult thing about seals its they sometimes look like there is no damage but the can leak with just a small hair or dust on the ring.

I hope you can get your Epicon back on track!

RideOn!
  • + 1
 cleaned out the Epicon air srping again just to make sure there weren't any grit or grime. it's still set at 120mm. put it back together totally dry & pumped in air -- it now holds pressure well enough, but i can't get it up to 120mm. it'll inflate to max travel 120mm, then leak a bit and stay at a lower level of 105mm. so now i got a fork that sags at 105mm on bike weight alone. i haven't found the grease and/or oil products you suggested; might take some time to find a place that sells them. so for now, i'll just work with what i got. (i borrowed a spare Fox 32 Vanilla R 140mm coil spring fork from a friend. i already serviced the Vanilla -- so much easier working on a coil spring system. the extra 200 grams of weight that you get from the switch is negligible anyway. gonna try out the Van this week -- i'm thinking i might just switch to coil spring after this.)

thanks for all the help. more power. Big Grin
  • + 0
 Sounds good brother! A coil spring might be the ticket! RideOn!
  • + 1
 Very good tech vid as i would expect from a fellow knowledgeable mechanic!
How was the geometry after the travel change, seemed good to me watching you ride. What do you think?

Oh.... and i liked the boulder riding by the way reminds me of myself! Hahahaha
  • + 1
 Thank you very much Chris! I like the geometry for street and DJ it will keep the front low allowing me pump faster and get through the DJs better. The bike is not a DJ or Street bike but I think it will do! I really did love the 165 for trial riding and FR, I can tell already it going to be tough on the steep sections compared to 165 but once I acclimate a tad more it should be no problem. I need to do more bolder riding, its really scary so it build lots of skills!
  • + 1
 Kino yuki ga futta sou desu. Well now you can do maintenance in your down time lucky guy. You made that overhaul look seamless! Domo arigatoo Niko-san. Aloha&Shaka. Hope you like my Japanese pigeon english! LOL! " Merii Kurisumasu!"
  • + 0
 Kiyou mo yuki ha furu, moshikashite mashirou no Christmas! Domo Domo bokuha totemo ureshi desu! I love to work on my bike and do some much needed maintenance. It just takes time which is hard to make, I did the overhaul on my lunch break Wednesday then Thursday was time to ride but, just for an hour! Your Japanese is superb brother! Please have a very Merry Christmas!
  • + 1
 Very nice niko!!

So you service your forks yourself..?? That's great. After years of riding i'm gonna service my Marzocchi DJ1 this winter, and i'm gonna increase the travel of the fork from 110mm to 130mm.
In my case it is also gonna improve geometry (or at least i hope.. :-) )

Too bad they cut your mountain in half, but at least you still have real mountains left...
  • + 1
 Hello Herman! Yes, I do all my suspension set up and overhaul. Its fun and I love it! ahhahahahahahhaha Well, Im American so its not really my mountain but I have lived here in Japan for 11 years now so maybe it is, ahahhahahha I ride those mountains around the half mountain all the time! Great trials! The DJ fork is awesome, I have overhauled many DJers. Some of the dampers are long and can be changed, but others which are most are set around 100mm and cant be raised. I hope your damper rod is long enough! Let me know if you need any help! RideOn buddy!
  • + 1
 thanks niko. you cant change it too the 130mm if the damper let you and you do it it wont have enough stanchion tube on sliders....
  • + 1
 It sure is a bit your mountain too niko!! I'm sure.. :-) Thanx for the help already, i've noticed that marzocchi should be quite simple. So i think i'm fine. My DJ1 2004 with QR20 is now set at 110mm, i've heard that this particular fork could be raised. My buddy Satanhimself rides a DJ2004 with QR9mm, and that one is set at130mm.. My other buddy jeroen the goon has now bought a DJ3 2004 wich is now set at 100mm, so this could be such a 'bad' fork.. Thanx for the warning,,
  • + 1
 The stanchion tubes are all the same length on the DJ models, so even a 100mm DJ can become a 170mm fork, I have done it but I had the long damper rods inside, and with the long damper rods to lower it I had to use the short damper rods because of the coil spring! Hermen, yes once you open it up you can tell right away if you can raise the fork and by how much! 130mm feels great over the 100mm if your trail riding!
  • + 1
 Thanx for the warning kaveh! But i am pretty sure that my DJ1 2004 should be able to be risen to 130mm.. Or are you that convident that it's not ment to be done??
  • + 1
 ok.
how do you know that?
if the catalog say that it's ok.
if you are doing it on your own it's not ok.
i can raze any kind of fork with changing damper bot it is out of standards,
because the sliders length and stanchion tube length in forks are different....
  • + 1
 Because of this..
  • + 1
 wow... ok
  • + 1
 Thanx again for the warnings! I really appreciate your awareness. I've just send an email to mazocchi customer care, i hope they will help me out with the old forks.. I asked for clearness.
  • + 1
 And here comes the strange part.. All of the 2004 DJ forks should be able to be set at either 110mm or at 130mm. Right? But i have a friend who has a 2004 DJ3 fork set at 130mm, and i have a friend who has the (not exact) same fork wich is set at 100mm...?? :-s
  • + 1
 I have owned and worked on many DJ from year 2004 to 2008 and they all had the same length stanchions inside, so simply if you springs, damper rods and top out springs align you can very easily change the travel depending on how long the damper rod is or not. I had a weird DJ that came set at 150 and I took it up to 160 and rode it on my Bottlerocket for about a year, then sold it off to get a 66. The DJ is now on a mates bike and at 160 we have never seen any problems. Most DJers are pre-set for 80 to 100 so they usually cant go any longer than 100m due to the damper rods length not the stanchions. Its a burly fork, Herman if you take it apart and let me see the inside I can walk you through the process, just let me know, From what I hear Marz customer service is slow,a hahahhahahh rideOn!
  • + 1
 hahahaha!! Good to know that marz is slow.. Or actually not good to know.. :-) You are defenitely making it clear for me, i try to visualize, and i think i know. Surely i'm gonna ask for your opinion ones the fork is taken apart. I'll make some very clear pictures, and then we'll decide. Thanx for your help so far! I think i;m gonna let my friend down, necause he just bought that DJ3 set at 100mm.. But we will see about that. Merry christmas to you bro!! (and your family offcourse!!)
  • + 1
 Thank you very much Herman! Please have a very merry christmas and a happy holiday!
  • + 3
 I just love your overhall videos man! Great song by the way! You lucky one! Lots of sun to test the fork, hahaha
  • + 1
 Thank you brother! Actually the reason I was on the streets is because we had one day of sun, ahahhahahh I did the overhaul on wednesday afternoon, which was raining. Then, on Thursday afternoon on my lunch break, I went for a short hour ride. The sun felt great. Friday, then today is cold and rainy and from tomorrow its going to be snowy until tuesday! You got to take any time you can to ride! RideOn!
  • + 2
 Sorry buddy...misspelled overhaul Wink I'm so glad you're an English teacher, hahahahahaah! Wise words brother...we have to ride every chance we get...tomorrow (Sunday) it won't rain, but today is pooring so, Sunday muddy ride!
  • + 1
 ahahahahaha
Thank you Ricardo!
I know how difficult English can be.
I teach lots of people from 3 years old to 80 every day and everyone makes the same mistakes.
A word like " overhaul" is very difficult!

I have lots of compassion for mistakes, because I make them all the time, ahahhahahhahahhah

Tomorrow I have to work while all my buddies are going to ride, snow or now and beings it poured all day it will be very muddy!

Enjoy your muddy dream!
  • + 2
 awesome awesome video Niko !!!...from the technical side of it to the testing and the end was so funny...your workshop is just topnotch, I guess all the biking friends must come by for repairs, all you're missing is a cash register, lol...nice job on the 36, I can see the stiffness advantage for street riding in riding a lowered 36 instead of a 32 with same travel...good job man, I really enjoyed this and I think vids like this should be on the front page of PB,,,this vid was way better than any 'Tech Tuesday' I've seen in a long while (sorry R.C.)...
  • + 1
 FastDHR! Thank you very much sir! Yes, my mates always come over to do suspension work! I have overhauled and repaired lots of shocks and forks this year, to bad its all friend to friend and Im missing my cash register, ahahhahahhahha Sometimes, I would like to take money because its not easy work at times. I do have them pay for the oil I use! Yes, I got the 36 for one reason mainly. It can be raised to 180mm for DH and FR then if wanted it can be lowered to 100mm for a true stiff DJer, the same reason I got the SrSuntour Durolux too. They are both the same fork! Thank you for the compliments! I too think I could make some good tech videos, the only problem I have with them is I usually get tons of messages that I have to answer, which is great but once again I end up doing technical support with no cash register, ahahhahahahhahah Let me know if there is an overhaul of something you want to see in a video format. I will do my best! RideOn mate!
  • + 1
 you can't let people take too much advantage of your skillz bro...at some point, someone has to realise that your bike shop is not free anymore, lol...I had to bring my hardtail in the shop to get the rear mech setup and the hoses shortened and that alone was 50$...
  • + 1
 Yes, I do get presents from my buddies, and they buy me lunch and stuff. As a friend its hard sometimes when I work for hours. Like a complete bike build! Then I tell them if you went to the bike shop it would cost you over 100 dollars. hhahhahahhahah Just have to humble myself!
  • + 1
 Niko you take the fear out of servicing forks. The trials riding at the end was sweet. We can all service our forks but it is much rarer to posess your skills on the bike!
  • + 1
 Thank you brother!

The bike feels good at 140mm for a HT.

My skills are feeling like poop recently, ahhahahhahah

within due time I will be stronger than ever before, maybe!

Momo, wants to ride the North Shore maybe next winter.
If so, could you help us out as for getting us set up with a guide who could tailer to his needs?

He wants to ride the dank shore trials and of course some big drops and jumps!
He does however not really have an interested in Whistler type trials.

I dont know what he is planning but he speaks very little English, and his Japanese is not so good either, ahahahhahhahahhah
No, he is a very nice boy and love the shred!
  • + 1
 Canadians are all about hospitality. Momo is a very talented rider! I would be honored to show him the double black trails on the Shore. I have no problem with language barriers. I wish you could make it out to Canada as well Nikko. All the same I implore MoMo to visit Canada and sample the amazing trails in B.C. I have met riders from all over the world and truly enjoy being the trail guide. Last summer I did some awsome riding with a German FreeRider. We fed off of each other and did some wiked skinny stunts. The Vid of Diggers trail I posted is with the German Gentleman. Japanese are polite and full of vigor. Add to that Momo,s super talented riding skills I would be stoked! Winter cuts the amount of trails to about one third due to snow in the mountains and it rains the most in the winter. Spring and Fall are good for riding. Summer is awsome. Yamma No Kammi..............................My Japanese isnt all that great either hahahhaaha
  • + 1
 Thank you very much Shredder! I will let Momo know and see what and how he is planning on going! Its great to know we have an awesome tour guide when the times right! RideOn brother!
  • + 2
 Funny Japanese music! You're a master of DIY bro! The 456 is going to run even better now.
  • + 1
 This song is a traditional song from our city we live in, the kids were rocking to it!
Its about mining coal which is what this city was founded on and the Kawara Dake mountain that has been cut in half to make concrete.

The mountain that is cut use to be taller than the one on the left!http://userdisk.webry.biglobe.ne.jp/011/001/26/N000/000/006/131824308149013208922.JPG

The 456 should be more balanced for a do it all bike now!
Im stoked!

RideOn Brother!
  • + 1
 Good VIdeo! I think that it is Bike and Fork to be able to use as all-round!!
  • + 1
 Yes, all around! The 165mm set up was great but 145mm will be better for the Love trail! If you have time let me know. I have from one week off of work from the 29th.
  • + 1
 Nice video, loved the ending! I do all my own service as well but run Mobil1 in the lowers!
  • + 1
 ahahahhahahhhah I thought that was funny, my daughter is very funny! Yes, any oil will work. Just by chance by buddy Rob sent me some float fluid so I had to put it to good use. Before I was using gear oil in the lowers, its 80wt and ran smooth for a long time. I did notice the float fluid had an extra sticky consistency to it which should be great!
  • + 1
 You put the float fluid in the lowers? That's only for the air chamber, way too thick for the lowers!?
  • + 2
 No, in the lowers I use only slick honey, I dont like having oil drip out when I overhaul it!

However because its just to slosh around and lube the negative spring and wet the oil sponge it should work very well.

Fox confuses people by, having two oils. ( just my opinion ) The 80wt gear oil top and bottom will work perfectly, its not damping oil just for lube.

I have only slick honey in the lowers for years and never suffer any stiction.
After I wash my bike, I always lube some slick honey on the stanchions and cycle it through.

What is Mobil1 Im not familiar with it? Is it connected with mobil gas station?
I have been in Japan for 11 years,ahahahhahahah
  • + 2
 Mobil1 is a full synthetic motor oil, any brand will work! Synthetics are super tacky and REAL slick, perfect for the stanchions! Using this for several years now and I have never noticed stanchion wear, even on the older Fox forks that were notorious for wear!
  • + 2
 Yes, here in Japan too all we can get is synthetic motor oil. I too have never had any problems. Inside the dampers I use proper fork and shock oil but for lube if its doesn't have a corrosive properties that break down the seals it works great.
  • + 1
 just a couple of questions, sirs:

where do you get this Slick Honey lube that you use?...

and are there any specific types of lubricants that need to be avoided (as in like petroleum-based stuff -- do they like degrade the gasket seal of the air spring piston by chance)?
  • + 1
 Slick Honey can be purchased in America.
You can also use rockshocks judy butter!

www.jensonusa.com/Lubricant/Pitstop-Judy-Butter

This is shimano's hub grease

www.jensonusa.com/Grease/Shimano-Freehub-Body-Grease


This is the slick honey

www.jensonusa.com/Grease/Buzzys-Slick-Honey-Tube

This big tub of slick honey is what I always use.
It works for any suspension and is very slick.

www.jensonusa.com/Grease/Buzzys-Slick-Honey-All-Purpose-Grease

Then you could always use fox fluid in your Epicon as well!

www.jensonusa.com/Shop-Supplies/Fox-Shox-Float-Fluid


All of these types of grease will work very well in your Epicon.
The Judy Butter is kind of thick but still is very good!
  • + 1
 If thats thw case ill just leave it at 120mm... Now running on 110psi. Thanks a lot!
  • + 1
 Awesome! I hope this helped out dude! RideOn!
  • + 1
 Thanks for doing this vid man! Do you think I can lower a 2011 32 Float from 140 to 120 or smthng?
  • + 2
 Thank you Waki! Yes, the float system is the same in all the forks, so your 32 float has the same internals. All you need is a 20mm spacer just like I showed here and your 32 will go from 140 to 120!
  • + 2
 mad skills tup looks like the mod works! lol
  • + 1
 Yes, the mod is very effective, ahahhahahaha just lowered the fork for a better all around ride, feels good! I did however really like the long setting too! RideOn!
  • + 1
 Just realized that the one on the video is the same as mine. 2011 fox float rc2 180mm. Smile
  • + 1
 RideOn the Fox 2011 Float RC2!
  • + 1
 why cant this video be found need to know how to lower a 36 float
  • + 1
 I have no idea, I wish I knew how to make it come up easier when you google how to lower a 36 float.
Do you have any ideas?
  • + 1
 it works now dude thanks you have made what i thought is a nightmare into a very easy job thanks ginge
  • + 1
 RideOn Ginge! Im stoked this worked great for you mate!
  • + 1
 I wish i had your mechanical skills. My fork probably hates me.
  • + 1
 hahhahahahhahhhahhahaha You fork is yelling at you! Service me! I guess its something I have found to keep me busy with all the rainy days we have here in Japan!
  • + 1
 Its def yelling at me - "jerk"! haha
Great way to get through those rainy days though.
  • + 1
 So a rst dj fork is set at 130mm u think it can go higher?
  • + 1
 The fork is adjustable from 180mm down to as low as you want to go! The fork is stiff and rides just as good as my 36 fox float. I have never had an RST so, I can't compare. However 180mm is max travel!
  • + 1
 Thanx buddy!
  • + 1
 your super power american kick!!hahaha
  • + 1
 hahahhahahha Kicking fun!
  • + 1
 Also the music scared me a bit too if im completely honest! Hahahahahah Smile
  • + 1
 hhhahahhahahhaha This is traditional Japanese Music, it is kind of scary but the kids rock to it! Its kind of like festival music so, over the years I have become use to it! ahahhahhahhaha I hope you can sleep tonight, I did not want to scare you!
  • + 1
 Hi ! do you know where can I get those spacers nowadays? Thx !!
  • + 1
 Hello! I don't know where you can get the original spaces but if you look close I show you don't need them. I used a grey PVC pipe that I cut a section out of. This is better as you can make the spacer as short or as long as you like.
  • + 1
 Niko mechanic Smile
  • + 1
 Thank you buddy,a hahahahhaha
  • + 1
 sweet vid as usualSmile
  • + 1
 Thank you mate! I had a great time on my lunch breaks, ahhahahhah RideOn!








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