Lubrication question: Marzocchi dust wipers.

[Spider]

I have two Marzocchi forks. '99 Z2 BAM, and a '00 Z2 X-Fly. After
reading a whole BOATLOAD of maintenance suggestions, including a
download of the Barnett's manual (http://rideitbent.net), the only
thing I get back is "silicone grease" or "silicone oil."

Of course, Marzocchi's tech help has not been helpful, technically. I
have read some about just using fork oil underneath the wiper
("...squirt a small amount under the wiper.") Holy crap, is there ANY
definitive source on what kind of lube to use, other than stuff that
doesn't cause seal swelling?

Searched: google web, google groups (a.m-b, rec.bikes.tech, a UK ng,)
Marzocchi's tech section (LOL).

I know there are is a large contingent of Bomberhood members. I
figure that they do proper maintenance on their forks. *Somebody*
knows something , so gimme the goods! ;)

Spider (a handle on it's last legs. Eight of them, precisely...)

P.S. If you want to e-mail me, don't use this spam-magnet account.
Use this one instead:

rfjonesy *at* hotmail *dot* com

[Michael Dart]

"Spider" > wrote in message
m...
> I have two Marzocchi forks. '99 Z2 BAM, and a '00 Z2 X-Fly. After
> reading a whole BOATLOAD of maintenance suggestions, including a
> download of the Barnett's manual (http://rideitbent.net), the only
> thing I get back is "silicone grease" or "silicone oil."
>
That's what Marzocchi has recommended from the beginning. "Silicone fat"
was the translation
>
> I know there are is a large contingent of Bomberhood members. I
> figure that they do proper maintenance on their forks. *Somebody*
> knows something , so gimme the goods! ;)
>

I use this stuff in all my Marzocchi Forks (a growing list of 5 forks)

http://www.belray.com/consumer/productpages/hpfo.html

You can find it at your local motorcycle shop. Others will recommend Golden
Spectro fork oil. For me it's harder to find and more expensive.

I don't do any wiper maintenance. I just take the fork apart on occasion
(annually?), clean it out and replace the oil. If you really want to you
could pry the wiper up every now and then and apply a few drops of this oil.
The only other 'lubricant' I use is Englund Slick Honey on the o-rings
around the nuts that hold the lowers on.

Mike

[D T W .../\\...]

"Spider" > wrote in message
m...
> I have two Marzocchi forks. '99 Z2 BAM, and a '00 Z2 X-Fly. After
> reading a whole BOATLOAD of maintenance suggestions, including a
> download of the Barnett's manual (http://rideitbent.net), the only
> thing I get back is "silicone grease" or "silicone oil."
>
> Of course, Marzocchi's tech help has not been helpful, technically. I
> have read some about just using fork oil underneath the wiper
> ("...squirt a small amount under the wiper.") Holy crap, is there ANY
> definitive source on what kind of lube to use, other than stuff that
> doesn't cause seal swelling?
>
> Searched: google web, google groups (a.m-b, rec.bikes.tech, a UK ng,)
> Marzocchi's tech section (LOL).
>
> I know there are is a large contingent of Bomberhood members. I
> figure that they do proper maintenance on their forks. *Somebody*
> knows something , so gimme the goods! ;)
>
> Spider (a handle on it's last legs. Eight of them, precisely...)
>
> P.S. If you want to e-mail me, don't use this spam-magnet account.
> Use this one instead:
>
> rfjonesy *at* hotmail *dot* com


The Marz's manual says to use silicone oil. I use "Snap" brand silicone
spray, bought at an auto parts store. I just spray some on the stanchion
tubes every few hours. It's tough to get up at 1am & 4am but it's worth it.
My stanchions are very slippery.

Is that "definitive" enough?
-
DTW .../\.../\.../\...

I've spent most of my money on mountain biking and windsurfing.
The rest I've just wasted.

[ireman_1]

Michael Dart wrote:
> "Spider" > wrote in message news:73da2590.03101-
> 160843.c7d28bd@postin-
> g.google.com...
> > I have two Marzocchi forks. '99 Z2 BAM, and a '00 Z2 X-Fly. After
> > reading a whole BOATLOAD of maintenance suggestions, including a
> > download of the Barnett's manual
> > (http://rideitbent.net/http://rideitbent.net), the only thing I get
> > back is "silicone grease" or "silicone oil."
> >
> That's what Marzocchi has recommended from the beginning. "Silicone fat"
> was the translation
> >
> > I know there are is a large contingent of Bomberhood members. I figure
> > that they do proper maintenance on their forks. *Somebody* knows
> > something , so gimme the goods! ;)
> >
> I use this stuff in all my Marzocchi Forks (a growing list of 5 forks)
> http://www.belray.com/consumer/productpages/hpfo.htmlhttp://www.belray.-
> com/consumer/productpages/hpfo.html
> You can find it at your local motorcycle shop. Others will recommend
> Golden Spectro fork oil. For me it's harder to find and more expensive.
> I don't do any wiper maintenance. I just take the fork apart on occasion
> (annually?), clean it out and replace the oil. If you really want to you
> could pry the wiper up every now and then and apply a few drops of this
> oil. The only other 'lubricant' I use is Englund Slick Honey on the
> o-rings around the nuts that hold the lowers on.
> Mike



You took my answer (pretty much). I use the spectro, but other than that
bingo. Regular maintenance (two to three times per year I change
everything out up here in the wetlands of Oregon) and the fork oil is
all you should need. Enjoy the 'zokes!

K.



--
Don't give up, don't ever give up.

Don't give up, don't ever give up.

>--------------------------<
Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

[ctg]

"Spider" > wrote in message
m...
> I have two Marzocchi forks. '99 Z2 BAM, and a '00 Z2 X-Fly. After
> reading a whole BOATLOAD of maintenance suggestions, including a
> download of the Barnett's manual (http://rideitbent.net), the only
> thing I get back is "silicone grease" or "silicone oil."


Marz says silicone oil, easy to get in spray cans. I notice no difference
whether I use it or not. Open bath design seems to take care of lube
problems. YMMV.

Chris

[Sorni]

"ctg" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Spider" > wrote in message
> m...
> > I have two Marzocchi forks. '99 Z2 BAM, and a '00 Z2 X-Fly. After
> > reading a whole BOATLOAD of maintenance suggestions, including a
> > download of the Barnett's manual (http://rideitbent.net), the only
> > thing I get back is "silicone grease" or "silicone oil."
>
>
> Marz says silicone oil, easy to get in spray cans. I notice no difference
> whether I use it or not. Open bath design seems to take care of lube
> problems. YMMV.

Ditto. Now I just dribble a little Tri-flow on there once every blue moon.

Bill "still getting used to letting fork bottom out (feels oookie)" S.

[Bob]

"ctg" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Spider" > wrote in message
> m...
> > I have two Marzocchi forks. '99 Z2 BAM, and a '00 Z2 X-Fly. After
> > reading a whole BOATLOAD of maintenance suggestions, including a
> > download of the Barnett's manual (http://rideitbent.net), the only
> > thing I get back is "silicone grease" or "silicone oil."
>
>
> Marz says silicone oil, easy to get in spray cans. I notice no difference
> whether I use it or not. Open bath design seems to take care of lube
> problems. YMMV.
>
> Chris
>


I use the standard silicon spray available at the local auto shop.
Comes in handy for many places.

Look back at my post of the "melted" wipers into the shock arms.
Pretty funny looking back on it. This was the first sad experience with my
set of three zokes.

I tend to clean and wipe as needed (not often), then change the seals and
oil
annually or sooner if lots of mud and junk floating around.

Bob

[Shaun Rimmer]

"Spider" > wrote in message
m...

> I know there are is a large contingent of Bomberhood members. I
> figure that they do proper maintenance on their forks.

Maintenance? Whassat? I've repaired damage, but dunno 'bout that other
stuff.....

> *Somebody*
> knows something , so gimme the goods! ;)

Bananas are the world's most popular fruit.


I have used, as have many others, very successfully, the silicon spray that
is used for lubricating rubber car parts, like door hinge seals etc. That
IMO is the best stuff, just keep it away from yer brakes.

Shaun aRe

[Spider]

(Spider) wrote in message >...
> I have two Marzocchi forks. '99 Z2 BAM, and a '00 Z2 X-Fly. After
> reading a whole BOATLOAD of maintenance suggestions, including a
> download of the Barnett's manual (http://rideitbent.net), the only
> thing I get back is "silicone grease" or "silicone oil."

[Responding to my own post, for a reason...]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I went and got some silicone spray,
and it seemed to clear up a little stiction I had with the X-Fly -
which would only happen on the first stroke.

And yes indeed, I will keep the overspray off the brakes. I like
being able to stop well. Keeps me from running into stuff. :)

Sorta tangential, but interesting: I like the air fork's dynamics
with the Fango. The coil-n-oil Z2 BAM is wonderfully plush, and soaks
up everything, big and little - which is great. But the air fork
seems to have a little extra stiffness, and I have not yet bottomed it
out. No surprise - I usually don't go in for a lot of drop-ins or
other huckin' junk. It also has changed the geometry a little, making
the headtube angle a little more slack. The steering was a little
twitchy before, and now it's merely quick. It's a good match for this
bike, IMO. When the time comes to get a new fork, I think I'll want
to match the crown-to-dropout length.

The air forks I've used in the past were not Marzocchi, and they all
felt harsh, and/or lost air quickly. This fork is just a world apart
in comparison. We'll see how long this thing lasts - I'm not sure
replacement parts (seals and the like) are made any more. That might
have to be my next question...

Cheers to all (grudgingly to Rimmer,)

Jonesy (formerly Spider)

---
E-mail:

rfjonesy *at* hotmail *dot* com

[Shaun Rimmer]

"Spider" > wrote in message
om...


> Cheers to all (grudgingly to Rimmer,)

Why grudgingly? You have a problem that I'm always right and always give
good helpful info?

> Jonesy (formerly Spider)

Whassatallaboutden?



Shaun aRe

[Michael Dart]

"Spider" > wrote in message
om...
> (Spider) wrote in message
>...
> > I have two Marzocchi forks. '99 Z2 BAM, and a '00 Z2 X-Fly. After
> > reading a whole BOATLOAD of maintenance suggestions, including a
> > download of the Barnett's manual (http://rideitbent.net), the only
> > thing I get back is "silicone grease" or "silicone oil."
>
> [Responding to my own post, for a reason...]
>
> Thanks to everyone who replied. I went and got some silicone spray,
> and it seemed to clear up a little stiction I had with the X-Fly -
> which would only happen on the first stroke.
>

The stiction problem I had with my '01 X-Fly didn't go away. I sold the
fork and bought a Marathon. The tuneable negative spring gives it a little
push in the right direction to overcome stiction. The Marathon is the first
air fork I've ridden with the plushness of a coil/oil. I don't know if the
internals would fit your fork for the negative leg but you may ask
Marzocchi.

Mike

[Jon Bond]

"Michael Dart" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Spider" > wrote in message
> om...
> > (Spider) wrote in message
> >...
> > > I have two Marzocchi forks. '99 Z2 BAM, and a '00 Z2 X-Fly. After
> > > reading a whole BOATLOAD of maintenance suggestions, including a
> > > download of the Barnett's manual (http://rideitbent.net), the only
> > > thing I get back is "silicone grease" or "silicone oil."
> >
> > [Responding to my own post, for a reason...]
> >
> > Thanks to everyone who replied. I went and got some silicone spray,
> > and it seemed to clear up a little stiction I had with the X-Fly -
> > which would only happen on the first stroke.
> >
>
> The stiction problem I had with my '01 X-Fly didn't go away. I sold the
> fork and bought a Marathon. The tuneable negative spring gives it a
little
> push in the right direction to overcome stiction. The Marathon is the
first
> air fork I've ridden with the plushness of a coil/oil. I don't know if
the
> internals would fit your fork for the negative leg but you may ask
> Marzocchi.
>
> Mike

Definitely plush. Our DHer says he's never felt an air fork feel so nice,
and if he was building up an XC bike he'd be throwing one of those on there.
And then break it off a 10 foot drop.

Too bad mine is spewing oil out the negative valve, and has developed play!
D'oh!

Marzocchi has been really cool about it though - the tech said it probably
wouldnt' hurt to ride it more, so I can wait until winter to send it in.
And if it did cause more damage, then they'll take care of it.

Jon Bond

[KLydesdale]

"Spider" > wrote in message
m...
> I have two Marzocchi forks. '99 Z2 BAM, and a '00 Z2 X-Fly. After
> reading a whole BOATLOAD of maintenance suggestions, including a
> download of the Barnett's manual (http://rideitbent.net), the only
> thing I get back is "silicone grease" or "silicone oil."
>
> Of course, Marzocchi's tech help has not been helpful, technically. I
> have read some about just using fork oil underneath the wiper
> ("...squirt a small amount under the wiper.") Holy crap, is there ANY
> definitive source on what kind of lube to use, other than stuff that
> doesn't cause seal swelling?
>

For lubing under the dust wipers of my Marzocchi forks, I've had good
success using a silicone grease sold for automotive brake caliper slides and
contact points. It's designed for use with rubber parts and, for those of
you who've melted your wipers, it can withstand high temps. Unlike fork
oil, it stays in place where it's needed and I think it has a better
consistency for this purpose than Slick Honey (which is a bit too thick in
my opinion.) It's also less expensive than bicycle-specific lubes.