Moto Guzzi Club of Queensland Forum

Ok, all you guys (n' girls) with V11's. How do you cure the very poor handling characteristics of the 43mm USD Marzocchi Forks?
Has anyone taken any measures to rebuild, re-spring or valve the current components?

Anyone found any worthy tips to pass on?

Thanks

Tryg

Have you tried talking to Tom, Tryg? He might know someone down your way who is in the business.
Good luck, Bill

Tryg,
I've seen this complaint on AIGOR a few times.
The general consensous is that they are more expensive to fix than replace, but have a chat to Tom, he is at Don Newell Motorcycles on Denshom Street, Wollongabba, he'll give you the straight up word with none of the bullsh#t.

Thanks guys. I am still in Canberra, but I will wait until I speak with Don/Tom. I think that it must be possible to revalve/emulate and respring these cheaper than buying Ohlins, by a long way!

The spring rate, on both Italian and Jap bikes is great for slighter built men, but Aussies over 80kg will suffer with the limited adjustment provided by these forks.

Also, they are just TOO basic, one acting as rebound and one as dampening is just rediculous in this day and age.... Even my Yammie FJR1300 had 3-way adjusting fork legs, ostensibly an Ohlins copy (due to Yamaha owning Ohlins for a short while!).

I fear that the cost of replacement, to Ohlins, would cost well over $7000.

Any further ideas?

Either that or I have to accept that my @rSe will be jack-hammered and the ride will be skittish, on this Guzzi for the rest of my days!

Tryg,
Yes I know the price of Ohlins, they weren't the ones talked about on AIGOR (for those whom don't know, AIGOR is Australian Internet Guzzi Owners Register, an open forum for Aussie Guzzi owners), but unfortunately I just recently starting deleting things instead of filing them into folders, so I've deleted the relevant posts.
If someone else is an AIGOR member & can remember which brand of shocks were recently disscussed can you please reply to this thread.
As for ringing Tom, you won't get to talk to old Donny anymore, he's long retired from the shop but still mucks around with his Maico bits & pieces.

Tryg,
This issue has once again raised it's head on AIGOR.
I've cut some responses from AIGOR.
I'd like to thank (in advance) Brett R. from MGCoNSW for his excellent response & our own local Rod Y for his ideas & the link to the Marzocchi rebuild site.
Thanks heaps guys,
Please don't thank me as all I've done is pressed a few keys on the keyboard, these are the guys that have looked, found & imparted their knowledge for the benefit of other Guzzista.
I owe both of you a drink.



Here is the website
http://www.ducatimeccanica.com/marzocch ... /index.htm


And the cut & paste on the topic from AIGOR:

Bruce
Marzocchi forks have 250 cc oil per leg.10W for softer ride15W for "more sporting ride".Seals- early forks have 2 seals per slider, later type with the sintered bushes have only one seal plus a dust seal .You can buy new seals from Gowanlochs here in Sydney, I bought 2 pairs recently when I rebuilt a pair of forks. I am not sure if 38mm Guzzi seals will fit.It won't hurt to change the oil, even dismantle them, wash out the sludge in the bottom of the sliders and fit new seals.Brett
>Subject: RE: [Aigor] Marzocchi Forks > Thanks Rod & Dave for your input.> I'll get to & check these things one at a time.> A least now I have a rebuild manual for the forks and know what I should > be> looking for when I pull them apart - but what about the seals. Do you know> the size of the seals or can you fit the equivalent Guzzi 38mm seals?> Thanks again.> Cheers,> Bruce>
> -----Original Message----->
From: aigor-bounces@tinho.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false [mailto:aigor-bounces@tinho.net]
On Behalf > Of> Rodney Yeomans> Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 10:11 PM> To: Australian Internet Guzzi Owner's Register> Subject: RE: [Aigor] Marzocchi Forks>>
> No Damper units in my Marzocchi forks. Springs, oil, seals but no dampers.> That's why there is so much oil in there.>
> Dave's right about it may be something else. One thing he didn't mention > are> frame/engine bolts. On a tonti, even the bolts that hold the battery tray> are integral to the bike's rigidity.>> Rod>>
> Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:36:17 -0400>> CC:>> To: aigor@tinho.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false>>
> Subject: Re: [Aigor] Marzocchi Forks>>>> Hi Bruce>>>> What the hell is a "Hawk?" >>>
> Believe it or not, a lot of front end handling problems are often caused> by the rear. Weaving can be caused by a number of factors, check the > obvious> first, tire pressures, tire wear, wheel bearings. Next is rear spring> pre-load, swing arm bearings and then steering head bearings. Front forks > is> probably the last thing I'd be looking at for the symptoms you've > described.>>>> FWIW I think the Marzochis have 150ml of 10w (ATF in the manual) in each> leg. Although the fork oil only supplies lubrication for the bushes, > damping> is taken care of by the damper units.>>>> Cheers, Dave>>

Just a general note on suspension.

I have always used the principal of Spring rate first,then sag, then damping rates. As mentioned if you weigh > 80kg kitted, most bikes will need a respring.

When I checked my Jackal I found the front springs too soft and the (non externately adjustable) preload too much for my 85kg. I assume this is factory settings. Rebound damping seems a little quick and being damper rod forks, hydraulic lock on high speed (suspension speed not road speed) bumps occurs. I'm currently saving for a set of .9/.95kg springs and a set of Provalve Emulators and rebound mod by Promecha (I've used them before on my TRX with excellent results).

On the rear I have Ikons. Checking revealed that the spring rate was a tad hard but close enough to presist with (preload on #1 solo). Compression damping appears to be a little on the slow side and rebound is close but the adjustment increments need to be modded to give a wider choice.

There is a wide selection on the net re calculating spring rate from sag numbers. If you want to know how I come up with my findings, I'll post it up.

Waz, I will be very interested in your findings when/if you go to the 0.9kg (or better) spring rate and emulators.....

I have no issue with the Sachs/Boge rear, I actually found an adjustment to suit me quite well.

No worries, I'll let you know.