Marzocchi Star Fork restore

InFaasion

Dirt Disciple
Got this fork some months ago with a frame I found. Frame is cracked on several places and fork is seized. According to previous owner it was fixed not to have any suspension anymore, but when I checked I found it was just full of water! Draining the fork made it move again, so the hunt for information and parts started. Came across Dr.Marzocchi’s website where a lot of info and spares are found, including 2 brand new lowers! Knowing someone welded a disc mount on the right lower this was a welcome find. Ordered inclusive all O-rings, bushings and small parts I was ready to go…but time wasn’t.
Now it is so starting to disassemble the fork and just hope not to many parts I didn’t find are corroded or worse. Took me a lot of time to remove the two air chambers alone and don’t expect an easy job.
Opening this thread to show progress and when finished this fork will be mounted in my just acquired S’bike with full Campagnolo group and Modolo cockpit. It will be all Italian in the end. I will post and update when new steps are made. Enjoy!
 

Attachments

  • A6212F52-2A2D-48B3-8BDA-9A61B2881D60.jpeg
    A6212F52-2A2D-48B3-8BDA-9A61B2881D60.jpeg
    648.3 KB · Views: 18
  • 9F322DE3-4560-4BC4-85D9-DA39A77517B2.jpeg
    9F322DE3-4560-4BC4-85D9-DA39A77517B2.jpeg
    503 KB · Views: 18
Made some progress today. Took apart the lowers and found another splash of water in both legs! Was able to disassemble all internals without to much hassle and only one part of the bottom out spring was slightly rusted, but cleaned up nice.
Installed new air valves plus new dust caps and replaced all bushings and O-rings. Cleaned both inner legs and one was just clean on the inside, but the other leg has some corrosion inside. Was able to get out most of it and what is left will not effect the working condition of the fork.
Simple but strong inners and clearly a glimpse to the motorbike forks from that era Marzocchi made.
 

Attachments

  • 5474B872-D7C6-4B5D-852A-3C12A82E08A6.jpeg
    5474B872-D7C6-4B5D-852A-3C12A82E08A6.jpeg
    493.2 KB · Views: 11
  • 45EB996E-894A-4522-B11A-8773B70E743F.jpeg
    45EB996E-894A-4522-B11A-8773B70E743F.jpeg
    613.4 KB · Views: 9
  • E12C632F-F9FF-4C05-AEE1-7793FD54F1FD.jpeg
    E12C632F-F9FF-4C05-AEE1-7793FD54F1FD.jpeg
    694.7 KB · Views: 9
  • 0D08F0CA-1F46-4B71-8484-B5423CDC27BA.jpeg
    0D08F0CA-1F46-4B71-8484-B5423CDC27BA.jpeg
    754.2 KB · Views: 6
  • 858BFB0F-C65A-4714-9FA6-C24234A99920.jpeg
    858BFB0F-C65A-4714-9FA6-C24234A99920.jpeg
    844.7 KB · Views: 7
  • FE685492-98C6-4243-BC78-019AC23ACC8A.jpeg
    FE685492-98C6-4243-BC78-019AC23ACC8A.jpeg
    552.9 KB · Views: 7
  • CF6591B6-9E81-4068-A06C-569F2AE611E6.jpeg
    CF6591B6-9E81-4068-A06C-569F2AE611E6.jpeg
    638.8 KB · Views: 6
  • 193B9AB5-D5AC-4BED-B991-8496B3A66B30.jpeg
    193B9AB5-D5AC-4BED-B991-8496B3A66B30.jpeg
    288.2 KB · Views: 7
  • 403B9184-CFC6-42A9-B3DD-2238C77F06B2.jpeg
    403B9184-CFC6-42A9-B3DD-2238C77F06B2.jpeg
    672 KB · Views: 8
  • D4C99406-0EDB-413F-AA50-8265438BA2CF.jpeg
    D4C99406-0EDB-413F-AA50-8265438BA2CF.jpeg
    757.7 KB · Views: 9
Short update: cable hanger and arch are separated. Was not my intention to do but apart from the hanger being twisted and bend, one of the welds was cracked. Decided to keep the arch without I filed away the remaining material and gave the arch a base layer. Tomorrow it will be gloss black, together with the crown. Pics will follow.
Not a lot of progress but hey, who is in a hurry 😉
 
It’s done (a small cosmetic detail left) but fork is back in working condition and looks stunning!
Pressed in new bushings and seals, hardest part was the teflon bushing folded around the inner leg and then pushed into both lowers. Added new oil and put the whole under pressure. Some hisses here and there that stopped after a minute or so. Tomorrow pressure check and try to get the decal on left leg off and reattaching on the right side. That’s the only flaw left since both lowers are right side legs. Hope it will come off intact 🤞🏻 but already really happy with result.
 

Attachments

  • F5444BB0-5628-4642-B6D6-64B80D969E22.jpeg
    F5444BB0-5628-4642-B6D6-64B80D969E22.jpeg
    650.8 KB · Views: 2
  • F01BD56E-569B-4B33-9D03-6A5A5126B2E4.jpeg
    F01BD56E-569B-4B33-9D03-6A5A5126B2E4.jpeg
    606.1 KB · Views: 2
  • 9629092F-B6DC-4137-B543-66AF3D7CA61F.jpeg
    9629092F-B6DC-4137-B543-66AF3D7CA61F.jpeg
    412.8 KB · Views: 2
  • 2B041349-0CE7-4490-A1DB-AD6AF1EFEEE3.jpeg
    2B041349-0CE7-4490-A1DB-AD6AF1EFEEE3.jpeg
    595.1 KB · Views: 2
  • 141960E8-B310-48FB-8B45-CA2BB7C3716F.jpeg
    141960E8-B310-48FB-8B45-CA2BB7C3716F.jpeg
    375.8 KB · Views: 2
  • A3660C24-509A-4A12-92CE-3627FA4A0984.jpeg
    A3660C24-509A-4A12-92CE-3627FA4A0984.jpeg
    651.1 KB · Views: 2
  • C5D2DD75-149C-4AAC-B993-CAD8B35DB982.jpeg
    C5D2DD75-149C-4AAC-B993-CAD8B35DB982.jpeg
    539.9 KB · Views: 2
  • F425FB80-70B3-40E0-8C07-08B9C3335D6E.jpeg
    F425FB80-70B3-40E0-8C07-08B9C3335D6E.jpeg
    788.8 KB · Views: 5
  • A512689F-BE5B-4038-ADE4-00C01B83EC9C.jpeg
    A512689F-BE5B-4038-ADE4-00C01B83EC9C.jpeg
    659 KB · Views: 5
  • B50CF91F-12F8-4052-B7A7-361B08E47E7C.jpeg
    B50CF91F-12F8-4052-B7A7-361B08E47E7C.jpeg
    607.9 KB · Views: 4
Back
Top