52mm Marzocchi Front End

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 4, 2008 | 01:58 PM

mikeyh

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From:

52mm Marzocchi Front End

Guys, Did anyone take delivery of one of these? Where does it say its made on the box? Someone please end the speculation.

Mar 5, 2008 | 01:06 AM

Comfortably Numb

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 2,007

Likes: 4

From: Vancouver, B.C.

RE: 52mm Marzocchi Front End

Back in my dirt days Marzocchis were Italian made. The absolute BEST forks money could buy!
The best of the high-end European motocrossers came with 'em stock, (KTM, Maico) with Husqvarna being an exception.
Anybody reasonably serious about going fast put them on everything else as an aftermarket item. This was even as the Japanese brands were starting to make headway into the market. Nothing else was in the same league until Ohlins came along.

CN

Mar 5, 2008 | 07:35 AM

donk_316

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 1,045

Likes: 74

From: AB, Canada

RE: 52mm Marzocchi Front End

I have two sets. They are quality pieces. Really nice. I am selling my back up set if your looking to customize some with powder coating or paint.

Mar 5, 2008 | 09:00 AM

mikeyh

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From:

RE: 52mm Marzocchi Front End

They look great and you guys all say they perform great, I'm just curious where are they made?

Mar 5, 2008 | 09:36 AM

FastHarley

Former Sponsor

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 5,360

Likes: 453

From: Davie, FL

RE: 52mm Marzocchi Front End

There is a few posts on this subject as to where they were made at currently. All forks are not made the same even within the company. There are many different components that can make up a fork. They may look the same but a little homework and questioning is helpful in making your decision. Ohlins, for instance, makes forks for stock bikes (OEM), they make R&T, and they make them for the Superbike competition. They look near similar. The price a manufacturer gets them for and the components inside of them are far from the Look-A-Like R&T forks by a long shot. The Superbike forks costs $10.5K, the R&T costs around the $2.5K mark and the OEM are up to the manufacturer. The OEM fork are not the same as the R&T. Get an exploded view of the product you are going to buy and compare it to a real fork. It is your money, be wish on how to spend it.

What does this have to do with the HD fork, read and study. Just because HD says it is good does not necessarily mean it to be true.

Mar 5, 2008 | 10:12 AM

donk_316

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 1,045

Likes: 74

From: AB, Canada

RE: 52mm Marzocchi Front End

Howard is right.
True performance front ends for bikes like this are built by Ohlins. End of story. You want the correct front end with the right brakes? Yeah totally adapt a GSXR front end (seems to be the trend) or get a custom tailored setup like Harold sells.

But the Marzocchi inverted front end is a real step up from the stock flimsy FX front end for the person who wants instant gratification and good looks.

I couldnt get enough information on adapting GSXR / TL1000 forks or Howards setup so I decided to stay with the Marzocchi front end and have it modified to my weight and riding style.

I like to think i did my due diligence as far as what is what / superior in HD front ends. First step is to ditch the 60 year old technology stock forks and hopefully go with a twin disk brake too.

I wish the HD / Marzocchi front end had provisions for dual disk.

Mar 5, 2008 | 01:45 PM

FastHarley

Former Sponsor

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 5,360

Likes: 453

From: Davie, FL

RE: 52mm Marzocchi Front End

donk_316 You are correct and have done what you were suppose to do which is learn why they are better. Do not do so just because they are the rage. Ask questions before you spend your hard earned money. There are several companies that make the "best" front end. The members who are considering this upgrade should do so because of the advantages and not for the look et. al. You need to know how and what to buy. Ohlins make starter and also very good forks as well as Marzocchi. The Victory Motorcycle uses Marzocchi as well as Confederate. The 2 front ends look near the same to the untrained eye, but the components and costs are like night and day as well as the performance. Again, learn and/or ask questions. A educated buy is a far more valuable buy to you. This post is not against or with any company or product but encouraging you to do your homework and learn. Thanks...