Sorry for the slight hyjack of the thread, but on the subject of the fork top collars I have this to add.
I bought my bike from AJ in Shipley when it was 12 months old, so i got 2 years warranty as an approved bike. When it went back in for a service (which i would rather have done myself and saved the money) it came back to me without having the top collars swapped. They told me there was at that time a shortage of parts, and i would have to bring it back later. The bike hasn't been back since as its now out of warranty, and i do the servicing myself.
Fast forward to this May, when I was unfortunate enough to slam the bike right into the back of a Ford Ranger pickup that had to do an emergency stop infront of me. I hit it so hard i went right over the screen and into the back of the pickup. The front wheel was pushed back into the Wunderlich engine plate which it did a good job of flattening, and bent both forks stantions like bananas. As far as i could see, and after very close inspection, both of the fork top caps were undamaged. Under what circumstances they fail is beyond me. As i said the front wheel went right back until it was solid up to the engine front cover, so you wouldnt be able to exert a lot more force onto the forks.
I replaced to forks with a good second hand pair which came in the std form ( without the upgraded top bushes) and i cant imagine i will both taking it in to have them swapped.
Stu
