Author Topic: Front shock - adjustable or not?  (Read 3786 times)

Brammofan

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Front shock - adjustable or not?
« on: May 16, 2012, 12:25:47 PM »
According to the owner's manual:
Quote
There are no user adjustments on the front forks.

According to the specifications page on the website:
Quote
Marzocchi Shiver hydraulic USD with compression damping adjustment. 5.0" / 12.75 cm of suspension travel.

Okay, so here's the obvious question: Are they adjustable, or not?
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Brammofan

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Re: Front shock - adjustable or not?
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2012, 12:32:13 PM »
Stay tuned.... just found the Marzocchi Shiver 50mm shock user guide which includes a section on adjustments.
http://www.americanbeta.com/sites/default/files/pdf/2012Support/Other/marzocchi%2050mm%20closed%20cartridge%20shiver.pdf
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Brammofan

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Re: Front shock - adjustable or not?
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2012, 12:41:08 PM »
Here we go, copying and pasting from the manual:
5. ADJUSTMENTS
Obtaining the maximum performance from your suspension
system depends on using the correct settings and making
the proper adjustments. This section describes how to
properly set and make adjustments to your Marzocchi
suspension system.
In order to fi nd the best settings for you, you will need to
try several times to understand where and how to make
adjustments.
When doing so, please ride in an open area, free from traffi c,
obstacles and other hazards.
The best settings not only depend on the Motorcycle frame
geometry, the rider’s weight and the types of trail or obstacles,
but also on many other personal factors connected with your
riding style.
Therefore, it is not possible to provide you with objective
information concerning your desired settings.
Changing the settings on your suspension system must be done
on only one adjuster at a time, taking note of the modifi cations
you carry out and the improvements you obtain.
WARNING!
During the setting operations, never force the adjusters
past their limits.
-----
5.1 Initial suspension bottoming adjustment
Optimal spring hardness is that which reaches the required
SAG, in other words, the suspension is lowered solely due to
the rider’s weight.
How to measure SAG
In order to measure the SAG, you only need to carry out the
following steps:
Pick up the front of the motorcycle so that the wheel is off
the round, measure the part of the leg between the edge of
the wheel axle clamp and the dust seal, then take note of
the value as “H1”.
Repeat the measurement with the motorcycle in a vertical
position with both wheels on fl at round then take note of the
value as “H2”.
SAG = H1 - H2
The optimal SAG is equal to 25 - 40 mm (based on the
motorcycling activity).
When you have a value that is lower than recommended, you
must reduce the pre-load or replace the spring with a “softer”
one to obtain the best performance from the suspension, vice
versa when the value is higher it is necessary to increase the
pre-load or install a “harder” spring.
-----
5.2 Spring preload adjustment
The spring preload adjustment can be done following the
procedure here below described, after disassembly of the
cartridge set from the fork’s leg interior (see par. 4.6):
Slide the preload adjustment set (7) towards the cartridge
lower edge, so that the metal ring seat becomes
uncovered.
Using a small fl at-tip screwdriver remove the metal ring (26)
from its seat.
By changing the metal ring position as to the seats, you
will preload the spring more or less, with 5 mm- increase/
decrease (see fi gure).
During extraction and re-insertion of the metal ring, be very
careful not to damage the components.
WARNING!
During extraction and re-insertion of the metal ring,
be very careful not to damage the components. If
the cartridge and more specifi cally the metal ring are
damaged, even in a light way, do not use the fork in any
case and immediately contact an authorized Marzocchi
service center. Do not alter the metal ring.
----
[smg id=344]
Figure 1

(MORE TO COME)
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Brammofan

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Re: Front shock - adjustable or not?
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2012, 12:45:48 PM »
5.3 Rebound adjustment
Adjust extension (or rebound) braking by turning the adjuster (R).
With the rebound adjuster you can control suspension return
speed after compression.
The regulating adjuster is on the lower part of the wheel axle
clamp in both legs.
The right rebound speed setting makes the vehiclestable
letting it follow the variations in the terrain and any
obstacles.
NOTE
To modify the rebound braking adjustment, always start from
the “fully closed” position (the screw is fully turned clockwise).
Each screw position can be recognized by a “click”.
Carry out regulation by turning the adjuster with a fl at-tipped
screwdriver.
Turning the adjuster (R) clockwise increases the rebound
hydraulic damping making the fork slower during the
rebound phase.
Turning the adjuster (R) counter-clockwise decreases the
rebound hydraulic damping making the suspension more
responsive during the rebound phase.
WARNING!
Do not force the adjuster past its limits.

[smg id=345]

-----
5.4 Compression adjustment
The compression adjustment can be made by by turning on
the adjuster (C).
WARNING!
If your fork “bottoms” out, immediately adjust the
compression adjustment or check the oil height of the
fork. Incorrect compression adjust can result in fork
damage, an accident, personal injury or death.
A “hard” compression setting gives you more stability and lets
you ride more aggressively making the mountain bike more
reactive, vice versa a “soft” setting means less stability but
also a less “nervous” ride.
NOTE
To modify the compression braking adjustment, always
start from the “fully closed” position (the screw is fully turned
clockwise). Each screw position can be recognized by a “click”.
Carry out regulation by turning the adjuster with a fl at-tipped
screwdriver.
Turning the adjuster (C) clockwise increases the
compression hydraulic damping and proportionally
reduces the travel made by the fork.
Turning the adjuster (C) counter-clockwise decreases the
compression hydraulic damping making the fork softer
when hitting a bump.
WARNING!
Do not force the adjuster past its limits.

[smg id=346]

(continued)
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Brammofan

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Re: Front shock - adjustable or not?
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2012, 12:48:01 PM »
Actually, that's all on the adjustment.  Go to the link to the pdf to see the rest of the info (i.e. how tight the various nuts, etc., have to be; the weight of the oil, etc.
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860

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Re: Front shock - adjustable or not?
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2012, 01:25:53 PM »
I would definitely say these are not "user adjustable" fork settings.  These would fall squarely in the category of "mechanic adjustable".  For them to be considered "user adjustable", there would need to be an external control that doesn't require tear-down of the fork.

If the complaint is that the fork is too stiff, you are likely looking at changing the compression and/or preload settings (sag).

This is a tougher job than what would be considered "user adjustable" forks, but it definitely looks do-able.  Looks like a good Enertia Mod!  If you decide to do this, here are the things I'd document in the mod write-up:

1)  Initial SAG measurement, with and without rider (along with rider weight).
2)  Number of grooves from the top that the spring preload adjuster is set to from the factory, and what position you move it to.
3)  Number of clicks from fully closed the compression is set to from the factory, and how many clicks you set it to.  This guide says the default should be 15 clicks, but I'd check to see if it is set that way.
4)  Number of clicks from fully closed the rebound is set to from the factory, and how many clicks you set it to.
5)  Weight and volume of oil (this guide says it should have 320 cc of MARZOCCHI oil code 55 00 13 SAE 7,5)
6)  Which springs are installed (This guide says that the 8501155/C 4,2 N/mm springs should be installed.  There are 4 other springs available)


With all this information, anyone should be able to duplicate your results, even if their forks are set differently from the factory.  I've been involved with way too many suspension mod threads where people might suggest something like "reduce compression by 3 clicks, decrease the preload by 1, and increase rebound +1 click" just to find out that everyone's default settings can vary by 5 clicks from the factory, so the advice is completely worthless.  Or people who share good settings that work for them, and forget to include that they weigh 130 lbs...

SocalTech

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Re: Front shock - adjustable or not?
« Reply #6 on: June 25, 2012, 08:45:17 PM »
Save time Harry, just contact RaceTech (i posted the suspenion work before) and they will make all your dreams true!

Brammofan

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Re: Front shock - adjustable or not?
« Reply #7 on: June 25, 2012, 09:48:55 PM »
Thanks, Dave.  I don't know that they have a shop out here in BFE, but I'll start huntin' around.

Good to see you posting on the forum.
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SocalTech

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Re: Front shock - adjustable or not?
« Reply #8 on: June 26, 2012, 07:20:27 PM »
no shop local to you, they're are here in Cali.

You mail the forks to them and they will work their majic to your spending limit.

(or you can order the parts and do the work yourself)

Rano

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Re: Front shock - adjustable or not?
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2013, 10:40:29 AM »
Hi everybody,

today I tried to make some changes to the fork, but as it seems the adjusting knobs at the bottom and at the end of the fork are not available any more. Do you know, is there a different fork at the enertia plus?

bottom:


top:


Thanks a lot
Rano