What are these?

[Dennis]

Slowly putting together a 79 Jota from boxes. Ran across these items in a baggie labeled "fork spring spacers". The springs fit nicely into the short tubes. They don't appear on any of the  Marzocchi diagrams I have. I've assembled the forks without these items and all seems well. Have I missed something here?
Dennis

 

[jlo]

Do they (springs) have the correct lenght?

 

[mcnicol]

Dennis

If they're spring spacers, you can't fit the springs inside them, they're supposed to fit between the bottom of the fork cap and the top of the springs. As JLO says, are the springs the right length for your bike? If they're 3rd party springs you probably need the spacers, springs these days seem to be considerably shorter than they used to be for the same spec. I guess steel is evolving too, just like everything else ( ). And a previous owner could still have fitted them with standard forks and springs to decrease sag and increase preload, although he would have had to have been a BIG bloke to need spacers that long with standard springs.

Anyway, if the springs are too short, you'll need the spacers, but you'll have to put washers on top of the springs for them to sit on. Nothing special for the washers, just be sure they slide easily inside the stanchion, about 1 mm less OD than the ID of the stanchion. Also not a bad idea to put washers on top of the spacers too to avoid damaging your fork caps.

Ken

 

[Dennis]

I don't know what the correct spring length should be. I just pulled off a fork cap and the spring measures 18 inches (45 cm). The top of the spring sits 2 1/2 inches (6 cm) below the top of the fork tube. That means the fork would have to compress 6 cm before the spring would have any effect, is that normal?. Doesn't sound right to me. Perhaps I should install those 2 spacers and springs, what do you think?
Dennis

 

[Rob]

Perhaps I should install those 2 spacers

Yes!!

 

[laverdakeith]

As a very rough rule of thumb the spring and spacer combo sits around quarter to half an inch proud of the top of the fully extended fork leg. All of the Marzo forked bikes use a spacer on top of the spring.


    Keith.

 

[Dennis]

Just did a quick search in the archives and it looks like the spring length should be 45 centimeterish. So if I install the spacers they will stand proud about 1/2 inch as Keith says. Yes I will install them. Thanks for your help on this you guys. I should say "instant" help!
Dennis

 

[Dellortoman]

G'day Dennis,

Those little short springs act as a spacer, but will compress a little to provide a progressive spring rate when sat on top of the long fork springs. The short springs go up inside the metal tubes, which then fit over the tops of the long (lower) springs. The tubes keep everything aligned centrally.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Dennis]

Well I think it's all sorted out. Cam you're right, the springs in the picture really serve as spacers, they are very strong and compress very little. The tubes in the picture are not really necessary as the existing spring cover is long enough to cover the "spacer" spring and still extend enough over the long spring.
Dennis

 

[Xav]

G'day Dennis,

Those little short springs act as a spacer, but will compress a little to provide a progressive spring rate when sat on top of the long fork springs. The short springs go up inside the metal tubes, which then fit over the tops of the long (lower) springs. The tubes keep everything aligned centrally.

Cheers,
Cam

Hi all

With a freind, we try to understand how the spicer can influencing the spring behavior.

Is someone can help us to rewrite this explanation in more simple terms for us. Like if we was French ... 

Thank you in advance

 

[sfcpiet]

G'day Dennis,

Those little short springs act as a spacer, but will compress a little to provide a progressive spring rate when sat on top of the long fork springs. The short springs go up inside the metal tubes, which then fit over the tops of the long (lower) springs. The tubes keep everything aligned centrally.

Cheers,
Cam

Hi all

With a freind, we try to understand how the spicer can influencing the spring behavior.

Is someone can help us to rewrite this explanation in more simple terms for us. Like if we was French ... 

Thank you in advance

The spacers pre-load the springs proper and thus reduce/eliminate sag.  The spacers can be anything from a thick washer to a long tube atop the springs.

When setting up forks, the total fork travel needs to be established.  About 25% of the total travel should be "negative" travel, ie, sag (When the bike is pushed from the centre stand, the forks should compress by this amount).  This lets your front wheel stay on the deck while accelerating or going over bumps.  A wheel in the air is of no use, steering wise...

Simple enough??

The spring tubes were fitted to Marzocchi forks to prevent the springs kinking out and rubbing on the insides of the stanchions.

piet  

 

[mar]

Many years ago I had a 79 Jota America. When I serviced the forks I also noticed that spacer tube. When I asked my local shop about it they suggested I just pitch them and install longer springs,which I did.
I guess that was the wrong advice.

 

[Xav]

G'day Dennis,

Those little short springs act as a spacer, but will compress a little to provide a progressive spring rate when sat on top of the long fork springs. The short springs go up inside the metal tubes, which then fit over the tops of the long (lower) springs. The tubes keep everything aligned centrally.

Cheers,
Cam

Hi all

With a freind, we try to understand how the spicer can influencing the spring behavior.

Is someone can help us to rewrite this explanation in more simple terms for us. Like if we was French ... 

Thank you in advance

The spacers pre-load the springs proper and thus reduce/eliminate sag.  The spacers can be anything from a thick washer to a long tube atop the springs.

When setting up forks, the total fork travel needs to be established.  About 25% of the total travel should be "negative" travel, ie, sag (When the bike is pushed from the centre stand, the forks should compress by this amount).  This lets your front wheel stay on the deck while accelerating or going over bumps.  A wheel in the air is of no use, steering wise...

Simple enough??

The spring tubes were fitted to Marzocchi forks to prevent the springs kinking out and rubbing on the insides of the stanchions.

piet  

Thank you Piet

It is effectively more clear

Nice to have popularized these explanations

Xavier