Zero

 

I don't know how sensitive you are, but it's never actually zero. There'll always be some minimal flex there or the fork wouldn't move. Compare it to another bike, ask a friend or stop by the shop (maybe feel a couple they have on the floor). It is a very small amount.

 

check its not the brake pads rocking back and forth in the caliper

 

None.

 

IME it's normal to have a small amount of play. There's always going to be an assembly tolerance between the bushings and stanchions, it can't be a zero gap. Sometimes you get lucky and it's so small that it's unnoticeable, sometimes it's more. Bath oil will fill the gap during use. If you feel it while riding well then it's probably out of spec.

 

According to Fox,

Diametric clearance of bushing to stanchion is:
min: 0.0015" (0.0381 mm)
max: 0.0090" (0.2286 mm)

 

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I’m going to take it to the shop.

 

Despite comments to the contrary, if you can feel any play at all, you have bad bushings. Warranty time.

 

Yup. If I can feel it I'll get the fork serviced under warranty if possible and if not I'll pay to get new bushings.

 

It might also be time to just cut your losses and get a better fork. I had a Recon for a while, and I’d’ve rather had a rigid fork.

 

recons are a good entry fork on mid-to-low price bikes, and way better than
suntour garbage, and also better than some high end of 20 years ago....but compare
to what is on the market today, they are best to...use them up, then upgrade when they
get sloppy.

 

Some play is normal. Excessive play is not normal.
I took my fork to a well respected suspension engineer when I had a similar concern.
According to him, the bushings being too tight is a much bigger problem. A little movement or slight knock is more desirable.

 

I'd find a deal on a much nicer fork, then send it off for warranty, sale it when it returns.

 

It's a Recon. Just replace it with something better like a Pike!