1979 Jota rear shocks and clutch mod

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Shiny

New member
Location
Llanelli, South Wales
I am a recent member, owning a 79 Jota.
Were the rear shocks originally Marzzochi "air assisted" and what colour were they.
Also I am looking at modifying the clutch, to make the handlebar lever action lighter. There are numerous old forum comments on this subject, but are there any "new" suggestions. Your help would be much appreciated.
I did cover the clutch subject a few weeks ago on the forum, but am unable to find it, or any answers to it. This could well be due to my lack of tech ability, can anyone explain what I am doing wrong.
 
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Shiny said:
I am a recent member, owning a 79 Jota.
Were the rear shocks originally Marzzochi "air assisted" and what colour were they.
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The bodies were silver, springs black and they were about as effective as an ashtray, on a motorbike.
That's why anyone, who actually rode their Laverda, relaced them ASAP.
Useful for "Show", but not for "Go".
On the bright side, if you really want a pair, there are probably lots of little-used ones out there.

Rear shocks laid down.jpg
OSJ 3.jpg
 
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You can likely find some Ohlins IFP's (Internal Floating Piston) with adjustable rebound damping that would work well provided you get the eye to eye length and spring rate correct.

There is also the option of dealing with Race Tech in California (great people to work with imo). Their G3 line is is also an IFP with rebound damping as well. They will also build custom length shocks to suit your application and have you fill out a form asking for some basic measurements.

I have G3's and Ohlins on my bikes and have been very satisfied with the results.

As always, as soon as you get the ass end sorted, you realize that now you have to sort the front. Race Tech offers some reasonably priced solutions that are effective for dampening rod forks.

The Marzocchi Strada's are, as previously stated, a waste of time and effort........ I put a set on my dad's S2 Mille for display purposes only and I can't motivate myself to rebuild his second set.
 
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The Sock said:
The bodies were silver, springs black and they were about as effective as an ashtray, on a motorbike.
That's why anyone, who actually rode their Laverda, relaced them ASAP.
Useful for "Show", but not for "Go".
On the bright side, if you really want a pair, there are probably lots of little-used ones out there.

View attachment 104117
View attachment 104118
Click to expand...
Many Thanks for the info. I have an old pair that I have had for many years, so will try and get them refurbed. Any suggestions of who can do this?
 
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You can buy spring compressors for pretty cheap. Sometimes you can push down on a couple of big screwdrivers through the springs. I couldn't on Konis, so I bought a cheap spring compressor. The last set of shock springs I changed took barely hand pressure. There all different.
 
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Shiny said:
Many Thanks for the info. I have an old pair that I have had for many years, so will try and get them refurbed. Any suggestions of who can do this?
Click to expand...
Here's the Strada .pdf rebuild manual and a pic of the general internals....... I couldn't be bothered to look for the shock bodies or springs, such is my disdain for them. I wouldn't even waste the money on shock oil....... I'd just use Automatic Transmission Fluid; its roughly a 10wt. Rebuild kits don't seem to be an issue to purchase, the main concern is the rubber bladder. Pay attention to getting a good fit on the Hex of the seal head when removing and the same goes with the pin spanner when opening the shock resevoir.
 

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I highly recommend Wilburs shocks..I have a pair of the piggy back type on my79 Jota...I had a pair of Stradas refurbished by Grant, some time back, and while they look great, they will not be refitted😉I agree that you will also need the forks modded...Keith Nairn did mine..cartridge type fitted as far as I recall.Handles superbly...best thing I can say is that I just don't think about the suspension.
 
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