Front Shock tolerance

[Drew]

Changing the front tire today I noticed the front fork has some play fore-aft and laterally. There is absolutely no movement of the fork at the head tube bearings. The play seems to be in the shock piston assembly. The fork moves approx 6 mm measured at the dropout.

Has anyone else experienced this with their Silvio?
Is this play normal?
How bad would it have to get before I need to replace the front fork?

 

[WhiteSilvio]

Clarification

Hi Drew.
Can you please clarify the 60mm movement,

This is an enormous amount of movement. In whichever direction you are talking about. (IMHO)
Even travel up and down as part of the 'suspension travel'.

John

 

[Drew]

60 mm was a typo it should

60 mm was a typo it should read 6 mm

Picture the bike inverted with he front wheel removed and the carboyoke detached from the fork. When i grab the fork at the dropouts it can be moved fore-aft and side to side apprx 6 mm. There is also some rotation play but that is not as noticable. The play is within the shock itself. It is not a case of worn head tube bearings.

When the bike is assembled the carboyoke prevents the rotational and lateral play. Sitting on the bike i can feel and see the fore/ aft play if I apply the front brake and gently rock forward.

 

[John Tolhurst]

As expected.

Sounds normal to me, Drew.