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Stelvio Front Suspension Damping question ... ?

Lannis

Cruisin' Guzzisti
Joined
Aug 10, 2010
Messages
218
Location
Spout Spring, VA
When I upgraded my rear suspension at about 20,000 miles to lower the (2009) bike, I also installed 105 lb/in front fork springs and modified spacers per Guzzitech, and changed out the seals and dust covers while I was there.

For 25,000 miles, the front suspension has been great. No oil seepage and good damping control, both compression and rebound.

But on a trip I took the last couple of days, I notice that the damping seems to be gone. The forks will "pogo" at least twice when you compress them and let go, the forks top out with a "Clunk" on minor bumps, and it feels wobbly in a bumpy curve.

I've had the forks apart (obviously, when I install new springs and seals) but I can't say I understand how the damping works. On my old California III, the oil in the forks had nothing to do with damping; how does it work in the Stelvio? I can take them apart to check the oil, but the male fork tubes are dry - no oil leaking, so I'm sure that the carefully-measured amount I put in is still in there?

Any ideas from experienced panel where to look?

Lannis
 
Sounds like they gave up. They are non-serviceable (crimped closed) cartridges from the (Marzocchi) factory. I don't have any suggestions outside of pricing them new, or I can get you pricing on another option that will be ten-fold better. Direct email; Todd at GuzziTech.com
 
Todd -

Went out and had a post-ride "closer look" and it turns out that the little brass adjustment screw for "Rebound Damping" on the right-side fork is AWOL.

I peered into the hole and it looks like the threads in the fork cap that held that screw are gone - or at least they're very rounded-looking and don't look like proper threads.

What's the repair/replace for this situation?

Lannis
 
What's the repair/replace for this situation?
There aren't any parts available to the best of my knowledge... as I said, they are not serviceable and usually need to be replaced. Find a used set maybe?
 
On my old California III, the oil in the forks had nothing to do with damping; how does it work in the Stelvio?
As far as I'm aware, every single (Conventional) Telescopic Fork ever made uses the Oil for damping duties.
ForkTops

Fork Top assemblies are available as spares, but it's probably easier/cheaper to buy a complete damaged Fork Leg from a Breaker/Salvage Yard.

Be aware there are two Sizes, early models (>2012?) have 50mm Forks, later ones have 45mm versions.
I'm not sure if the uppers are different diameters though . . .
 
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As far as I'm aware, every single (Conventional) Telescopic Fork ever made uses the Oil for damping duties.

The early T series (like my avatar) only used the oil as a lubricant not for dampening.
The cartridge insert controlled dampening, the springs rebound.
 
Cartridges use the Fork Oil for Damping duties, just like Damping Rod Forks, how else would they do it?

Cartridge Forks CartridgeForkDetail
Note the Oil Ports at the lower end.

Some high-end performance Forks I think have sealed Cartridges now, but that's a recent development, I'd be very surprised if an older Guzzi had them.

Springs don't control Rebound, any more than they do Compression.
 
Some high-end performance Forks I think have sealed Cartridges now, but that's a recent development, I'd be very surprised if an older Guzzi had them.
John, are you questioning me on this? Fact that the Marzocchi units are crimped as to not be touched. Not only have I seen a few dozen of them, but I also spoke with (in person) the Marzocchi engineer that was responsible for the set up of them with Guzzi, at the Marzocchi warehouse here in SoCal while he was in for the X-Games, years ago.
 
To be honest Todd, I'd missed the bit where you said they were sealed units. :blush:

I'm just surprised an older Guzzi has them.
Non-maintainable (i.e. more unnecessary expense) items are what I'd expect from the likes of any other manufacturer, not MG.

How do they allow for expansion and/or displacement, do they have a Gas Bladder, or a floating Piston?
 
To be honest Todd, I'd missed the bit where you said they were sealed units. :blush:
I'm just surprised an older Guzzi has them. How do they allow for expansion and/or displacement, do they have a Gas Bladder, or a floating Piston?
Heh, well I'm about to stop posting on these type of questions anyway. I don't have much time these days, and am most often overlooked, ignored or debated.
Forks are sealed for legal reasons I was told.
Cartridges are like you posted the pics of above, only one side has a compression damping shim stack, and the other side rebound.
 
Since we are talking suspension here, anyone who has replaced the Stelvio shock with a Griso shock give me some recommendations for the settings they used for rebound & dampening? Also if you changed the height on the spring. All works ok, but bridge seams & sharp bumps in the road cause my teeth to rattle right now on the bike.
Thanks in advance.
 
If it's bottoming out regularly (I'm guessing that's what you're getting at?), then you need to sort it, you don't want to be putting that sort of stress into the Swing-Arm and Linkages that frequently.
The only option will probably be fitting a stronger Spring.
 
Have been playing with the rebound & dampening (Preload)settings & found that going with the settings on the Stelvio stock shock for maximum load seems to be the trick with some modification. The 18 clicks for the rebound works well, the 33 clicks for Preload can't be done. So I set it in 3/4 of the way (which is what the 33 clicks comes out to) & so far problem solved. Much better ride & only the worst bumps & seams on the road upset the comfort now.
 
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