fork seal fitment, Marzocchi

[scuderia]

Timely thread for me. I just bought four 38 x 50 x 7 seals yesterday to do the Marzocchi forks on my Jota. I've been cogitating on whether to install one seal in each leg or two (can make up a spacer if I use one seal).

Having just taken apart the forks on a mate's bike, I noticed that he had made a neat dust wiper. He'd wrapped lightly oiled cotton wadding around the fork legs between the seal and the dust cover. The dust cover holds it in place. I'd not seen that solution before but it seems like an excellent idea. Any dust that gets through the outer cover is caught by the oiled cotton before it gets to the seal. The oil in the cotton also provides a smear of lubrication for the seal lip, reducing stiction. Just lift the dust cover and replace the cotton wadding from time to time as it gets dirty.

Cheers,
Cam

Ha Ha Ha... I came in from final practice at Willow Springs one day only to find my fork seal leaking.. One of my races was the first one up, so with no time to change out a forks seal I pried up the dust seal, rolled up a paper towel and wrapped it around the fork leg, pushed the wiper back down and headed out for my race. Did a fine job of keeping the oil off of the brakes and can't say I noticed the missing oil.
Not a long term fix but will get you through the day...

 

[78jotadave]

Two seals both with the lip down that is the way I have always used them.  Many years ago Lance  (Rickey Racer)sold me a set of double thickness seals meaning you could use just one seal in each fork leg without the need for a spacer. They were blue turquoise in color and lasted for years up until the point when I bent the forks. I wish I new where he got them as I would certainly use them again. Dave

 

[Xav]

Hi guys

I certainly not explain clearly my request  (scratch)

I asked a question on the assembly of these elements below

 

[Xav]

But I found the answer. It miss a washer... (il manque une rondelle ...)

One above the dust cap, an other below the dust cap

Regards

Xavier

 

[drdezmo]

I found this thread doing some research.  Rather than start a new one, I revived it so we could review some earlier advice.

I'm getting ready to start rebuilding the forks on my 1977 Jota.  My goal is a fork with low friction and a firm, but not harsh action. 

1. Which seals to use and how many?

2. Which direction for the lip(s)?

3. What weight fork oil?

4. Any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Mike

 

[Lav the impala]

flat rubber face is the air side or top face, it has numbers on it to denote the seal sizes, e.g, 38x7x50.



the garter spring side is the oil side, the garter spring and internal air pressure maintain the seal lip pressure and keep the oil in which in creates stiction as the fork is compressed.

 

[2622]

Here ya go Vince wrote a whole novel on fork seals just for folk just like you.
I myself just use ever day garden variety Ariete seals ( as they are what my local shop sells )  and decent fork oil.

http://www.laverdaforum.com/forum/index.php/topic,97233.msg394072.html#msg394072

 

[Vince]

And if I ever get the rear wheel back it might have a happy ending, cannot test it with only one wheel.