Oil Seal Protection: The oil lock piece acts as a protective barrier for the fork oil seal. It prevents dust, dirt, and debris from entering the fork tube and damaging the delicate oil seal. This ensures that the oil seal maintains its sealing capabilities, preventing fork oil leakage.
Oil Level Control: The oil lock piece also plays a role in controlling the oil level within the fork tube. It provides a fixed point at the bottom of the tube, ensuring that the proper amount of fork oil is maintained. This is essential for proper fork function, as too little or too much oil can affect damping and overall handling.
Fork Alignment: Additionally, the oil lock piece aids in maintaining proper alignment of the fork tube with the rest of the front suspension components. It provides a stable base for the fork tube to slide smoothly within the fork leg, preventing any misalignment or binding that could affect the bike's handling.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that both front forks have the oil lock piece installed properly. An oil lock piece that is missing, damaged, or incorrectly fitted can compromise the performance and safety of the front suspension system.
