fork issues?? please help.

[kpuc11]

the bike is a 2012 with the marzocchi's .I recently had the forks revalved. last ride I hit a log and heard a weird noise in the forks like a clunking, I didn't pay it to much mind. Today while prepping the bike for sundays ride I noticed the front end had play when on a stand, what I mean by that is if you wiggled the bars left to right, you could feel something was loose. I have inspected the steering head, that's tight. next wheel bearings tight. I narrowed it down to the forks. I took the wheel off the bike, while the bike is on a stand I grab the bottom of the fork and I have maybe 1mm in all directions on both forks. With that much play I feel it in the bars when I wiggle right to left on a stand, I don't know what to do. Is this normal?? For comparison I took the wheel off my ktm and checked the play, it has very little play in those forks. I am new to gasgas so that's all I have to compare it to. Please I hope someone can help me out, I don't want to ride it and cause more damage if there is something wrong.

[john r b]

Sound's like the bushing are the culprit . same issue w/ mine before proper service.

[kpuc11]

they might have 6 hrs, wtf

[kpuc11]

maybe he never replaced them

[Jakobi]

I'd say hes replaced them with something other than OEM (which are pricey).

Its not uncommon for forks to have a fair amount of play at full extension. I'm pretty sure KYB SSS even have a spec of allowable play, but you most definitely shouldn't be hearing them while riding or feeling it just turning the bars.

When the forks were put back on the bike post service, how tight was the bottom clamp done up? all 3 bolts, or have you dropped the middle one? If it was over torqued they can bind a bit during flex and wear the bushings (and possibly surfaces) prematurely.

I'd be discussing with the tuner.

Also seems that these Marzocchi CC's require pretty frequent maintenance. Around 20hrs I tend to notice a change in performance.

[kpuc11]

What should I torq the bottom triples to? I am starting to see why gas gas is not very popular. I want to like the bike. I will call the tuner Monday. I am just pissed about this bike.

[hamilton]

Originally Posted by kpuc11

maybe he never replaced them

My 200 has had 1-2mm play since new. Doubt you can feel it while riding. Raced mine all year. What it did have was a clunk at full extension until it was revalved.

[shang]

Originally Posted by kpuc11

What should I torq the bottom triples to? I am starting to see why gas gas is not very popular. I want to like the bike. I will call the tuner Monday. I am just pissed about this bike.

Every bike I have owned has torque specs for everything. All triple clamps should be torqued to spec. After owning my 2013 since May, I'm surprised they arent more popular. I'm easily 100% faster on this bike.

All bikes have issues. I had three KX's that had the oil screen filled with strings of silicone from the factory. One of them lost a motor to it. I had an RMZ450 with a manual cam chain tensioner. I bent valves. Had a Husky TC450, weak factory valves broke and destroyed the top end. All were inherent issues for that model. Even auto manufacturers. Ever owned a diesel truck?

I'm sure we could all fill the forum with stories about failures from every brand. That's the great thing about the forum communities. And this forum in particular. It's a great place to over come these problems.

[Simmo737]

That sounds like the pfp clunk, if your tuner is not familiar with zoke 48s and bleeds them like kyb or Showa he most likely will not have bleed them properly. I have kyb bushings in mine, they were an exact fit in tubular size and less than a mm in length. Essentially an exact fit.

[kpuc11]

thanks for everyones quick response. the tuner I used in a gasgas dealer so I know he is familiar with the zokes. 20hrs service???? that's crazy. that means twice a month, that will not work for me. please tell me that this is not normal. If I just needed bushings, could I cause more damage by continuing to ride the bike. I want to get this bike right. I take it the 14's have the same issues. Is this a marzocchi issue?