Kawasaki 1400 GTR

1400 GTR - All Models => 1400GTR Discussion => Topic started by: Martin#30 on May 22, 2012, 06:56:15 AM

Title: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: Martin#30 on May 22, 2012, 06:56:15 AM
So like many others, I had to have my rear shock replaced under warranty as the remote pre-load adjuster had siezed.

A mere 9,000 miles and 7 months later, guess what? The new one has siezed too.

Muppets. Truly wonderful motorsickle let down by a round of cheapest parts supplier tenders ......

Martin.
Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: Mogster on May 22, 2012, 07:34:21 AM
I had a chat about this to a (non) Kawasaki spanner monkey..... oooook!... and he says that the problem is with the knob (don't start  :mfr_lol:) it needs WD squirting up into it and a good twiddle every now and again.... trouble is water gets in there and the ally corrodes to the steel.
Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: slane on May 22, 2012, 08:29:39 AM
Ooooh nice one .......guess i going to be playing with my knob tonight getting it all lubed up  :whistling:  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: Kwikasfuki on May 22, 2012, 10:57:27 AM
I checked the adjuster and thankfully it still turns and clicks. Is there an easy way to squirt WD40 into the adjuster?

Martin, do you ride your bike with or without panniers on? Looks like the panniers help to keep muck off the adjuster
Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: Mogster on May 22, 2012, 11:13:49 AM
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on May 22, 2012, 10:57:27 AM
I checked the adjuster and thankfully it still turns and clicks. Is there an easy way to squirt WD40 into the adjuster?

Martin, do you ride your bike with or without panniers on? Looks like the panniers help to keep muck off the adjuster
[/quote

Just squirt it up between the adjuster knob thingy and the housing... i take a pic later if you like  :yes:
Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: Kwikasfuki on May 22, 2012, 11:48:02 AM
Ta. Is WD40 best or something like ACF50? Or even one of those graphite type sprays?
Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: Mogster on May 22, 2012, 01:44:50 PM
picture of Mogs thumb in action.  :mfr_lol:

Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: vfrtom on May 22, 2012, 03:20:57 PM
Two replaced in two years. Agree is is false economy by Big K
Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: Martin#30 on May 22, 2012, 04:11:56 PM
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on May 22, 2012, 10:57:27 AM
Martin, do you ride your bike with or without panniers on? Looks like the panniers help to keep muck off the adjuster
95% of the time without panniers, so perhaps the panniers do help keep much off.

Sounds like we need some sort of waterproof cover for the remote preload adjuster. I only ever need to twiddle it once or twice a year, so having to remove a cover each time would be no great hassle.

Martin.
Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: Kwikasfuki on May 22, 2012, 08:53:43 PM
I ride with the panniers on, and in 48k miles not had to have a warranty claim on that part thankfully.
Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: Kawasmoggie on May 22, 2012, 11:25:19 PM
I`ve had to do the wd40 thing on mine too. Still not convinced its working properly.
On the subject of the adjuster, how many clicks should there be from fully out to fully in ?
Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: O.C. on May 23, 2012, 06:45:58 AM
Alan, I can't remember how many...but without stating the obvious ~ wind it right in, counting the clicks so that you can reset it to where it was, and then wind it all the way out, then you will know,  about midway is the 'usual' setting, but others like to make small adjustments to suit their own requirements

If I'm not mistaken the number of available settings/clicks has varied on different GTR models over the years.
Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: Kawasmoggie on May 23, 2012, 07:06:48 AM
Already done that mate but without knowing what it should be, I don`t know if its correct.  :smiley:
I`ve seen 28 clicks mentioned somewhere but, once I`d got the bloody thing moving,  :hammer:  :grin:  mine doesn`t go that far.
Title: Re: The common shock fault. Thought they would have learnt by now ....
Post by: Mogster on May 23, 2012, 08:36:34 AM
Quote from: Kawasmoggie on May 23, 2012, 07:06:48 AM
Already done that mate but without knowing what it should be, I don`t know if its correct.  :smiley:
I`ve seen 28 clicks mentioned somewhere but, once I`d got the bloody thing moving,  :hammer:  :grin:  mine doesn`t go that far.

Bondu did a set up Guide...... all hail him for he is all knowing...  :punk: :punk:

http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,485.0.html