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Marzocci Shocks

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kawickrice
  • Start date Start date
Those appear to be the gas charged Strada (street?) shocks, the 1980's & 90's series normally have the bodies painted red with black springs. Never seen a chrome sample. The Strada's are low end gas charged shocks sorta equivalent to a Fox Street Shox. You can expect a very firm ride with stock springs unless you are over 200 pounds. Marzocchi followed the Italian suspension philosophy of make it firm first and we will worry about compliance or dampening later.

Marzocchi later introduced the Symbol shock which was based on the Strada with additional rebound damping. They looked great but were stiff as a board. Cosmopolitian Motors, PA was the distributor back then and may still be.
 
The 'bees knees' back in the day. Originals (red & black ones) are highly collectable and sought after now. I have two sets that I won't part with.
 
I've had them fitted to my Katana for 24 years and they have performed very well on all road surfaces and conditions, solo, two-up, sport and touring. I also like the fact they are inexpensive to rebuild and the seals are still available. I get 60,000 km out of them between rebuilds, yes they've been there for 180,000km now. There are better shocks around, but these are fine for the job in my case. Yes Zooks, mine are the red and black model as well, with the yellow decal, cheers.
 
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Lookin at the pic those don't have a clevis mount for your GS and the spring diameter "looks" fairly small. Are they for the Kawi or RD350 . . .
 
Shin-Ken 1074 said:
There are better shocks around, but these are fine for the job in my case.
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Agreed. They are a bit 'dated' now but are still pretty good. I also love the fact that they can be rebuilt. I love the fact that they are 'period' correct for the era as well.



Trivia - Ducati used Marzocchi shocks and forks for decades. I'm not sure if they still do???
 
Probably the best off the shelf shock in their day. As the guys have said above there is better equipment around nowadays but I've run them on a few GSs and, with them being period correct, I think they are my favoured shocks - Konis edged in to second place.
 
Zooks said:
Trivia - Ducati used Marzocchi shocks and forks for decades. I'm not sure if they still do???
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Not just Duke but a few of the other Italian bikes came with Marzocchi as standard - some still do - and the Ities know a thing or two about handling.
 
Zooks said:
Trivia - Ducati used Marzocchi shocks and forks for decades. I'm not sure if they still do???
Click to expand...

I thought the Italians were using Showas, Sachs on the the mass production models & top flight Ohlins on the high end 1098R's etc.
 
I've got the red and black ones on my 1100. It rides great!.

IMG_1708.jpg




IMG_1703.jpg



IMG_1700.jpg
 
Here's some info on rebuilding kits. My e-mails copied and pasted.

you can order directly through us. Just call 661.257.6630 and ask for Moto Sales

----- Original Message -----



Thanks for the quick reply. Do I buy directly through you, or a dealer?

Thank You,



Marzocchi Moto <moto@marzocchiusa.com> wrote:
Your rear shocks are the AG-Strada shock, and we do have a seal kit for these. The part number is 850193/C, and the proper air pressure is 28-42 PSI.


Picture012.jpg
 
Ok let me see if I get this right. They seem to be the Strada model, red and black is the norm for these, rebuild kits are still available. Thanks guys for the information. Maybe I can e-mail a pic to Marzocci and they can definatly id them for me. Yea I bought these for my 73 Z1, It got ran over in a parking lot and I am trying to get it back together. Yall guys have been a great help. I am interested in more info on these if there is any.
 
Best shocks on my original GS1000E back in 1982 when I was a youngster. The original gas and air OE ones failed and it was the tried and tested route for the period.

Hard or impossible to find in the UK now.
 
I noticed in some of the pics that the piggyback part is on the bottom of some and on top on others. Are they reverseable, or are they different models? Thanks.
 
Kawickrice said:
I noticed in some of the pics that the piggyback part is on the bottom of some and on top on others. Are they reverseable, or are they different models? Thanks.
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They are the same shock mounted two different ways. 'Each to their own' - as the saying goes. I prefer the air valve on the bottom as I think it makes it easier to get an airline onto.
 
Zooks said:
They are the same shock mounted two different ways. 'Each to their own' - as the saying goes. I prefer the air valve on the bottom as I think it makes it easier to get an airline onto.
Click to expand...


Not sure how that is possible, to each the required mounts perhaps. Eye on top Clevis on bottom is the config for most GSs :o
 
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