Identify Shocks

tribonnie

tribonnie

Full member
Location
uk
Can anyone identify these shocks for me. Can find no name or number on them. Off 77 Jota. Thanks Richard
 

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Fontana (FAC) shocks. Sold by Phil Tod in the 90,s
Very good items and wish I had taken them off my old bike before selling it.
Let me know if you want to move them on.
 
Air screw loose said:
Fontana (FAC) shocks. Sold by Phil Tod in the 90,s
Very good items and wish I had taken them off my old bike before selling it.
Let me know if you want to move them on.
Click to expand...
Thanks for info, any idea who might have parts, scrolled the internet without much luck. both rods rusted at the top. Richard
 
Yes FAC's, bought mine off Phil Todd for my 81 Jota in about 1990, London.
Good shocks. They were the lightest of the 5 main springs available from FAC Italy,
I dont know if spring colour denoted spring strength, my springs are red colour.
The top seal is an odd one, The rubber seal is backed by a small conical, spring steel shape. Shaft is 11mm.
Local bearing expert has never seen them.
Closest replacement is a lip seal 7/16 (11.12mm), but does sweat a little on shaft in hot weather.
WIll machine up new threaded holders to fit modern M11 double lip seals. Should solve problem.
Anyone ever seen an FAC parts diagram/listing or any other data info. like oil weight etc. I'm using 15W fork oil.
cant find much on web.
Cheers. DB.
 
tribonnie said:
Thanks for info, any idea who might have parts, scrolled the internet without much luck. both rods rusted at the top. Richard
Click to expand...
I never opened mine, but you can have the rods hard chromed to give them a new life. Done that with several shocks. It’s not cheap though, cost me almost the same as re-chroming a pair of fork stanchions, but I think the FACs are good enough to justify it.

Marnix
 
MarnixSFC said:
I never opened mine, but you can have the rods hard chromed to give them a new life. Done that with several shocks. It’s not cheap though, cost me almost the same as re-chroming a pair of fork stanchions, but I think the FACs are good enough to justify it.

Marnix
Click to expand...
yep, very surprised at the cost of getting the rods re-chromed and who’d have thought, one off special seal no longer available. Old bikes eh …..
 
I have those on one of my bikes and yes, they are good shocks, having said that, the wonderful new world of adjustable damping (at least rebound) is soooo nice to have. When my FAC give up the ghost, they will be replaced, rather than refurbed.
 
I can see that, but I like the simple and purposeful looks of these, and they perform very well as they are. The adjustable shocks often come with fancy anodised knobs and what have you.

Marnix
 
I agree Marnix - FAC are indeed handsome and fully in keeping with the 70s aesthetic. I hope the pair I have keep going for a very long time. The adjustable ones I own spent their early days in oven cleaner stripping the anodising off and making them look more 'appropriate'.
 
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