I am in the process of freshening up a 74 400 I recently picked up and came across something I have not seen before in the forks. Bike has 35MM Ceriani taper tops and the previous owner said he set them up with a "Terry Kit" in the 90's. Anyway when I stripped these down to clean up I came across this and I am trying to determine if this is something the PO just cobbled into these or if anyone else has seen these before and they are a legit improvement to these forks. Did some searches online on "Terry Kits" and the only thing I found was that Terry Cable does have some fork kits, but nothing that even remotely resembles these. My main concern is that the stop valves on these are an 1-1/8" longer than originals.
Anyone seen these before or have any insight on them?
(http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt298/KJDonovan/damper1.jpg)
(http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt298/KJDonovan/damper2.jpg)
Thanks,
Kevin
Kevin,
In the late 70's Terry came out with kits to increase travel on forks for many bikes. They were designed safely and conservatively, but only achieved moderate use as new bikes were rapidly evolving with longer travel and then leading axle designs with each new model.
Seems like I had a pair in one of my bikes - possibly my 77 Seven speed Herc 175 along with a pair of slightly longer Curnutts for the rear.
I don't recall if they touted any improved or changed damping characteristics.
When I was building my Berkie back in 2008 I called Terry to see if he had any leftover kits. He told me that he had hundreds of them leftover taking up space for years, and that he had finally put them all in the dumpster to clear out some space a few years before I called.
Who knows how many other NOS parts met the same fate through the years before the current vintage fever hit.
Clark
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"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, that we are now qualified to do almost anything, with nothing."
1972 Penton Berkshire 100
1983 Husqvarna 250 XC
2011 Jayco 31.5 RLDS
2009 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax
I had a set in my '82 XR200R when it was new. They increased the travel .5" I think, I couldnt tell any difference.
Brian
Clark / Brian,
Thanks for the feedback. It's nice to know that they actually made these for Penton's as opposed the PO just cobbling them in. I will clean these up and put them back in. As for NOS parts landing in the dumpster....I have heard too many similar stories, people just wanting to make room for new stuff so they are trashing the old.
Thanks,
Kevin