Hedder

I have had the AMP fork on the King Of Diamonds since 1994. It is still the best cross country fork (my opinion) and most certainly still the lightest out there. If you are an owner of this fine piece of machinery and have not overhauled your shock in the last 6 months, then it is time to do so!

Tools that are need are:

1 pin spanner; Clamping tool for holding shock while unscrewing body; Paper Towel; Shock Oil.

This job can be done in less than 15 minutes when you get good at it. For those that have never attempted this, use safety glasses. You will want to look down into the oil chamber when pulling the shaft and oil WILL SHOOT OUT!

Using a pin spanner, release the c-clip. Be sure to hold onto the clip when removing because it will want to fly where light does not shine!

Remove shock from fork.

This is a tool made by AMP Research. You can manufacture one or just have PVC on your vice jaws.
Clamp firmly enough to prevent the body from turning when twisting the body apart. I use a thin piece of brass shim material to 'bite' the aluminum. I recommend using an adjustable wrench or a screwdriver to do the twisting.
The two body parts
Purging the chamber with thin shock fluid. Keep poring in the fluid until the shock fluid becomes clear.
When you are use to doing this there will be little need to completely dissemble the shock, making this a lessor chore. Notice how dark the fluid is. I overhaul approximately every 20 hours of riding.
IF you are the type that needs to get your fingers into everything and make sure any form of impurities are removed, then take the top mount off.
Now your fork shock is completely disassembled to the shaft. I do not recommend to remove the oil orifice.
Boy, there sure is a lot of parts here! (Just Kidding!)
Notice the small hole for oil to travel on this side.
On the other side is a larger hole. I have heard of some drilling this out for fine tuning, however..
I use two shock oil weights to tune my shock. 20 weight and 2.5.
Fill to the threads and SLOWLY move the shaft back and forth until ALL the air is gone out of the oil. If you do not do this then your fork will have that HISSING sound when it is working for you. BE VERY CARFULL NOT TO LOOK INTO THE CHAMBER WITHOUT EYE GLASSES! Oil will want to SHOOT out of the chamber if you pull the spindle too hard!
Reassembly. You will know when you have JUST enough fluid when you screw the body together and the rubber o-ring wants to pop out. I use a Q-Tip for removing small amounts of fluid at a time.
Finish by tighten down the body and then reassemble on the fork. Again, when you get familiar to the process this will not take you more than 15 minutes to complete the task.
jalonhawk@desperadocycles.com
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