Fork not using all travel?

[metalhead119042]

I have a 2003 Marzocchi Jr T that's supposed to have 170 mm of travel. But when i'm riding mine only uses up about 150 mm (6 inches instead of it's 7). I've even bottomed out with it and it still stopped after about 6 inches. If anyone has experienced this or knows what's wrong it'll really help.

[ironhorsemtb]

thy answer is obvious. you have to play halo 2 on the computer for 16 minutes then drink chocolate milk until you chuck it back up. finally you should take it to a bike store and ask them.

[binary visions]

Are you sure you've bottomed out? Did you "feel" it bottom or did you hear the metal clank of it bottoming?

If there's too much oil in the fork, it will stop you from using all of your travel... Marzocchis are pretty much notorious for coming stock with the wrong amount of oil. But if that's the case, you won't hear the metal clank of it bottoming out.

Check your oil level against the recommended oil level of the manual.

[metalhead119042]

Alright thanks binary, and yes i could definately feel the fork bottom. I cleared a drop and landed about 5 feet to flat at least :(

[binary visions]

Right, you felt it bottom, but if you didn't hear it go "clank" (metal-on-metal), then it's probably just got too much oil.

If you heard it clank, then something else is wrong.

[bjanga]

You could unscrew the top caps and (slowly) compress the fork. If oil is going to come out before you reach 7" stanction insertion, then the oil levels are high.