Fat Chance, what length fork will work?

[henrysthreeironbands]

I have a 93 Fat and am wondering how I can figure out if it is suspension corrected and how long a fork will work on it and where the limit is for what certainly will not (geometry, ridability).

Is it possible to measure it in some way or see it on the frame?
Will Manitou M1,2,3,4, TPC, Mag 20 and 21s, Sid 98 (60mm), Judy XC 50mm, SL 63, DH 80, Race (100?) work?

This particular specimen came with Manitou 3 but not sure if it was designed for it.

I remember calling and speaking with someone (Wendyll) in 93 and she said that Manitous have too wide a crown and may hit and damage the down tube, hence the warranty will be void if used.

 

[OldFatTi]

At ‘93, depending on the model, you could have either shorter rigid geometry (circa 390mm fork length) or early slightly suspension corrected (circa 405mm rigid fork length).

The head tubes are shorter on the suspension corrected frames for a given frame size.

About the max you can go travel wise is 63mm, Rock Shox of the period are quite short in the length which is good, you don’t want too long a fork. From memory, Pace were about the shortest length for a given travel. The RC36 (although later than ‘93) was a very useable fork and available in 1”.