Mountain Biking - Should I jump on this find?

Was able to locate a 98 Marzocchi Z1 Bam for $75, this fork. Will more than likely get it. The thing needs alot of TLC, figure the refurbishing of it can be followed on this forum.

This Z1 is a first generation Z1, it has

Replaceable crown,
Bolt on Arch
4" of travel: perfect for a dirt jumping rig.

It's also one of the easiest forks Marzocchi has ever made to do maitenance on. When it gets done, it will likely go on the Cowan, which will leave the fox alone for a future project(I spilled info on this yesterday in one of the threads.)

I would do it for ***** and giggles :)

A 7 year old fork? Get real Dude.... There's be enormous improvements in the last seven years, trust me....

A definite: DON'T BUY....

A 7 year old fork? Get real Dude.... There's be enormous improvements in the last seven years, trust me....

A definite: DON'T BUY....
:rolleyes:

A 7 year old fork? Get real Dude.... There's be enormous improvements in the last seven years, trust me....

A definite: DON'T BUY....


So frikken what, I have the chance to buy and rebuild my old dream fork, it could just wind up as a mantle peice as well. Besides, marzocchi can replace the stanctions.

A 7 year old fork? Get real Dude.... There's be enormous improvements in the last seven years, trust me....

A definite: DON'T BUY....
im sure this is why people never buy old cars. so what if there have been improvements. but like kona said easy to fix. same thing with old cars/new cars, ive worked on new cars and its horrible, eveything jammed in there(computers, fuel managment....) which makes getting to anything a b*tch. i love working on old cars, everything is right there, you dont need any special tools or anything. id say if its in at least ok condition then go for it and have fun.

The damping has been spot on for years. Go for it. Its easy to work on, and you could polish it or airbrush it or something custom/cool.

Their newer forks are pretty much just an evolution of the older stuff, no radical changes.
Lowers changed to one piece and stantions increased in diameter and are cryofitted to the crown. I'm sure there where a few little changes to the damping along the years as well.

No major changes that makes the old fork junk. As long as it hasn't been beaten too hard it should have plenty of life left and perform well enough.
I wouldn't buy it myself, the new ones are just as easy to maintain and you get all the other improvements that have appeared over the years.

Their newer forks are pretty much just an evolution of the older stuff, no radical changes.
Lowers changed to one piece and stantions increased in diameter and are cryofitted to the crown. I'm sure there where a few little changes to the damping along the years as well.

No major changes that makes the old fork junk. As long as it hasn't been beaten too hard it should have plenty of life left and perform well enough.
I wouldn't buy it myself, the new ones are just as easy to maintain and you get all the other improvements that have appeared over the years.


I got a real good look at it today it s in decent shape and the stanctions are spotless.

Their newer forks are pretty much just an evolution of the older stuff, no radical changes.
Lowers changed to one piece and stantions increased in diameter and are cryofitted to the crown. I'm sure there where a few little changes to the damping along the years as well.

No major changes that makes the old fork junk. As long as it hasn't been beaten too hard it should have plenty of life left and perform well enough.
I wouldn't buy it myself, the new ones are just as easy to maintain and you get all the other improvements that have appeared over the years.

OLD hsvc is what the ssv is now. Pretty signifigant difference.

well it might be worth snagging. I would give it a try, it isnt the end of the world if it turns into a fiasco

I decided not to go for it, after thought and pricing out, it could very well wind up costing more than the fork in mentioned was when it was new. That money will be going towards a Fox 36 Van RC2 instead.

OLD hsvc is what the ssv is now. Pretty signifigant difference.

Perhaps my memory is deceiving me but I'm sure used the cartridge dampers. I think they referred to them as SSV cartridges or rebound/compression carts depending on the adjustments you could make. The cheaper Z1 models that used the current SSV system where not added until later years.

Was able to locate a 98 Marzocchi Z1 Bam for $75, this fork. .....

(I spilled info on this yesterday in one of the threads.)

Its only 75 bones, go for it.. are you going to all that upset about the loss of $75 if it turns out to be a big steaming pile of shi1t? doubtful...

Future project is the prophet? i thought everyone on here hates cannondales....

Its only 75 bones, go for it.. are you going to all that upset about the loss of $75 if it turns out to be a big steaming pile of shi1t? doubtful...

Future project is the prophet? i thought everyone on here hates cannondales....

Went to go get it after all, and it was gone.

Either Prophet or Howler, right now the howler is starting to pull ahead.