Retro suspension recommendations...

[brocklanders023]

If you wanted something that would still ride nice then a set of original '96 Marzocchi Z2, or '97 Z2 BAM's would be a nice fit, or Pace RC36. I suggest these as they're reliable, seals are easily available, and pretty simple internally but they work well. In contrast the equivalent Judy options have dampers which used to blow even when new and for which spares are very NLA, and even seals for them can be a pain.

This is pretty much the answer if you want something period correct-ish and decent. The Bombers were a huge leap forward at the time so the obvious go to.

 

[sam_white]

Technically they're a bit new, not being released until 1997, another option that's a bit more period correct would be a Marzocchi XC700 or a DH3.

 

[Cloverleaf]

Technically they're a bit new, not being released until 1997, another option that's a bit more period correct would be a Marzocchi XC700 or a DH3.

They were around in early 1996 so definitely not too far out, by mid '97 the BAM stuff was already available. The problem with the earlier models like the XC700 or DH3 is that, like RS and Manitou stuff of the era, spares are basically NLA. The Pace RC35 might work if a true MY94 fork is desired, as elastomers are easy, seals are the same as the RC36, and damper o-rings etc are still available through Tim.

 

[Matttymm]

For the year I don’t think you can do any better than the Mantiou EFCs.

 

[sam_white]

For the year I don’t think you can do any better than the Mantiou EFCs.

True, but good luck finding a set for a reasonable price ...

The problem with the earlier models like the XC700 or DH3 is that, like RS and Manitou stuff of the era, spares are basically NLA

@Dr-Zocchi can certainly help with seals, crowns, steerers and other bits for pre-Bomber forks.

 

[Dr-Zocchi]

They were around in early 1996 so definitely not too far out, by mid '97 the BAM stuff was already available. The problem with the earlier models like the XC700 or DH3 is that, like RS and Manitou stuff of the era, spares are basically NLA. ...

No. Marzocchi's is the only brand with full seal support 1989-2018 and it is not fkg fox doing the job.
And forks like Marzocchi XC600, XC700, XCR or DH3 (or older) have almost full parts support. Even more lot's of parts for Bombers have been reproduced.

 

[Cloverleaf]

No. Marzocchi's is the only brand with full seal support 1989-2018 and it is not fkg fox doing the job.
And forks like Marzocchi XC600, XC700, XCR or DH3 (or older) have almost full parts support. Even more lot's of parts for Bombers have been reproduced.

I stand corrected, I didn't realise you'd sorted out the older forks too. Nice one. It's mental how much modern stuff is already obsolete as far as Fox and SRAM are concerned. You can't get bladders for charger dampers separate despite them not lasting much longer than the service interval, and the poorly designed mk1 Fox X2 with the easily stripped adjusters are SOL thanks to Fox no longer producing the compression components, although I see the later mk2 rebound dial can be used instead, albeit it gives you two red dials! All of these companies have environmental statements and yet they do sweet F-all to actually show they give a shit.

 

[Dr-Zocchi]

I stand corrected, I didn't realise you'd sorted out the older forks too. Nice one. It's mental how much modern stuff is already obsolete as far as Fox and SRAM are concerned. You can't get bladders for charger dampers separate despite them not lasting much longer than the service interval, and the poorly designed mk1 Fox X2 with the easily stripped adjusters are SOL thanks to Fox no longer producing the compression components, although I see the later mk2 rebound dial can be used instead, albeit it gives you two red dials! All of these companies have environmental statements and yet they do sweet F-all to actually show they give a shit.

It is that simple : all is about capitalism and upscaling to get more $$$$$. That's the world we are living in. And the best way they can trick us is to create new products and do fancy marketing. That's the same story with Ford cars and we are the criminals who support this shit.
We want new fkg Iphones and new Suspension forks with zero innovation but lot's of money.

Fkg fox for example bought Marzocchi and loud promised to support Marzocchi for owners. Than they stopped all support without a note, stopped delivery of base spare parts and online Knowledebase and support, because it is an invest which does not earns lot of cash.
They don't care about customers, sustainability or other key features.

It is almost easy to create some spares by doing some simple reverse engineering, but than it is again all of us being egostic and complaining about prices, because we are used only to mass production parts delivered for free by Amazon.

We are so dumb and lost ....