The usual suspension topic, need some help

[Kispeter]

Hey guys! I'm needing some help over here. Overall I have very bad suspension problems. To give you context, I have my 2010(?) GasGas EC 300 since the end of 2019. For the fist half - 1 year, I didn't really mess with the suspension because when I got it we replaced the seals and put new oil in it. The bottom right fork leg is toast, or at least the nut around the Compression clicker (We can't get that out) so we couldn't disassemble it fully but we cleaned is as good as possible. After like 8 months I got to the point when I needed to set my suspension correctly because it felt weird. The front fork seems like it does "stick" in the first 5-6cm, it wouldn't rebound to it's fully extended length(it doesn't seem like the bike's weight pushing it down). BTW it has a 48mm Marzocchi front fork and Sach something rear shock. About 3 months ago I started to jump bigger tables (on our endurocross track, not motocross) and it started bottoming out. We then put I think 7.5w oil in it and it fixed it BUT this weekend I vent to a local sand mx track (not a high speed track, barely could shift out of 3rd) and it was very rough. I thought if I softened(?)(turned counter clockwise) my rebound and my compression a little bit it would help. And it did, BUT when I was all the way out, it felt like it needed to be just slightly more softer and it would be perfect. So my question is what are your guys' settings? And on the Sach shock which one is the high-speed and low-speed dampening? I am 85 kg's and I mostly ride slow technical, and endurocross type stuff.

[SS109]

If the forks are not extending completely then the cartridge has air in it. The way the Marzocchi 48 fork works it has probably pumped out too much oil from the cartridge, and in to the main chamber, and needs to be redone. To get the nut off the lower fork leg quickly and easily I recommend hitting it with an impact gun. I did a complete video on breaking down these forks and hope it can be of some help. If it does, please give it a thumbs up on Youtube. https://youtu.be/dbKjhvFl7AQ

As for the shock. Top is always compression and bottom is rebound. Also, the big nut around the compression adjuster is normally the high speed compression adjustment. I recommend full open (CCW) and then turn back in 1/16 to 1/8th (a little is a lot!) of a turn for most off road type riding and more (1/8 to 1/4 turn in) for high speed whooped out or MX tracks. As for the others, set to middle positions and then slowly dial them in one at a time. There are plenty of online guides to get you going in the right direction.

Also, and most importantly, make sure you have the correct springs for your weight installed front and rear and that your sag is set within the correct range. Sag can totally change the way a bike handles with only a 1mm change.

[Anders]

Could you post an image of the top of the fork leg (seen from avove)?
You say 2010 and then 48mm Marzocchi. And then you mention the nut around the compression clickers.

It may be a newer fork of course, but I don't think the 48 pfp Marzocchi was available on the 2010 model?

First, we need to be sure what fork you have.

Sent fra min YAL-L21 via Tapatalk

[Kispeter]

Sorry guys, I totally forgot that I have created this topic. Here is a picture of the fork caps

[Kispeter]

[Kispeter]

https://imgur.com/GvEdA6p

[SS109]

Originally Posted by Kispeter

https://imgur.com/GvEdA6p

Well, those definitely aren't the PFP 48's. I don't recognize them offhand.

[Kispeter]

I've seen videos of a few of these and none of them had these caps on them. I think they might be a "home made" one.

[swazi_matt]

doubt they are home made. the 48 pfp had a preload nut on the cap so this doesn't allow this

[SS109]

I know those are not the Marzocchi PFP 48 or 45 Shiver cap. Maybe someone did a fork swap. Can you post more pics of the forks including the feet? Pics of any markings on them?