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Front suspension Cali 1100 special

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murringoking View Drop Down
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    Posted: 23 Dec 2017 at 08:45
Hi all

After replacing the rear shocks on my 98 Cali Special/Bassa, my thoughts are turning to the front end.  I have put a zip tie on one stanchion and a few hundred kays later, including some pretty big bumps, the tie has not moved past the halfway point.  I have read that these Marzocchi forks have a compression hydraulic lock about halfway and my experiment seems to confirm this.  

This all assumes that nothing is bent/binding and that the oil level is not too high, both of which I will check out when I take the front end apart.

Can anyone point me to some info on how to get these forks working okay please?  I will be pulling them down to do fork seals soon and will investigate the valving at this time - I am not afraid of experimenting with cartridge valving - but if someone else has already done the hard yards then this will certainly help me out.  I have done some interweb searching but couldn't find very much info.

Thanks in advance.

Geoff 
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DavieL View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DavieL Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Dec 2017 at 12:15
Motul 10w oil on my Cali stone seems to work well if still a bit on the stiff side. The Old 15w oil was too stiff and only allowed about 50% travel. Mines also has progressive springs fitted by previous owner.

I think the internals are pretty basic. I Would be interested to hear if revalving is possible.
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murringoking View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote murringoking Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jan 2018 at 23:06
Bike is new to me so I don't know what weight oil is in it.  The manual specs ATF which is around 7.5 I believe.  I will be pulling the forks apart to do seals soon so will check out the valving then.  I have heard that there is a bypass hole around half stroke on the compression side which would mean that not much oil is flowing through the shim stack until after half way, which may explain the limited travel.  Apparently, blocking off the hole helps but presumably the compression valving in the shim stack would need to be made lighter.
I will report back if I find anything worthwhile.
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Brian UK View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jan 2018 at 08:20
I would start by just changing the oil to a known light viscosity, then see how it feels. One thing at a time, otherwise you can end up chasing your tail.
 
Had a Norton many years back, front forks (Roadholders) were pretty well solid, hardly any movement. Being new to the game then I asked a local dealer who helpfully said they were knackered.
Did my own research and drained the "oil", something like light grease came out. Put new oil of the correct grade in and the change was astounding.
Brian.

Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next.
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