HP Velotechnik trikes - Manual (Page 74)

Rear suspension element
70
play. If there is a safety spring ring, push it
back into the slot on the thread.
Move the rear swing arm back up and connect
the rear end of the suspension element with
the rear swing arm using the bolt. Lubricate
the bolt thoroughly.
Secure the screws of the suspension element
with thread locker and tighten the screws
with 6-8 Nm.
After having exchanged the spring you have to
readjust the spring preload as described in the
chapter on "Adjusting your new bicycle" on
page 19.
Cleaning and lubricating
Do clean the suspension element, especially
the polished piston rod, if it is dirty. Remain-
ing dirt and sand can damage the seals of the
hydraulic system and so shorten its life con-
siderably. We recommend you to protect the
suspension element from dirt with an elastic
cover that you can buy at your local dealer
when riding on dirty roads regularly.
From time to time grease the thread for the
spring pre-load with a drop of acid-free oil.
Thus, you can always turn the adjustment ring
easily by hand. Once a year you have to
grease the pivots of the suspension element.
For that purpose dismount the suspension
element as described under "Changing the
spring" on page 69.
Remove the plastic spacers and pull the metal
tube out off the bushing. Lubricate the bushing
and the tubes with grease. Finally remount the
suspension element.
Hydraulic dampers are affected by wear and
tear through normal use. It depends on the
usage of the tricycle, the amount of dirt on it
and the maintenance and lubrication. After
3000 km the damper must receive an inspec-
tion by a trained mechanic, worn out parts or
the hydraulic cartridge can be replaced then.
Due to wear of the seals oil can leak from the
damper. The internal oil can become foamy.
This may lead to some noise when the
damper is working. This noise does not affect
the function of the damper. Only if there is no
obvious damping after the first 5 mm of travel,
the damper should be replaced.
Please also note the maintenance instructions
of the damper manufacturer provided with
your tricycle.
The bushings of the rear spring element need to be lu-
bricated once a year.
Air shock R
OCK
S
HOX
Monarch
Caution! Please follow the in-
structions in the separate manual provided
by the rear shock manufacturer.
This rear shock contains pressurized air in a
main („positive“) air chamber as suspension
medium. Air shocks are lighter than steel
spring rear shocks. Another advantage is that
the spring stiffness can be easily adjusted with
an air pump: By increasing the pressure the
spring becomes harder.
Air shocks have progressive spring behaviour,
whereas steel springs have linear spring be-
haviour. This means that the air shock gets
progressively harder, e.g. it is much stiffer
when fully compressed than when only slightly
compressed.