Just a word of warning to everyone regarding the rear pre-load adjuster. I had a new one fitted under warranty about a month ago, as the original one had seized. I decided when the new one was fitted that as a precaution I would screw the adjuster in and out at regular intervals ie every few days just to keep it nice and smooooth. I also run the bike with the gap in between the adjuster and its body taped up to stop the ingress of water on wet rides. Also when washing the bike I cover the adjuster with a plastic bag in an effort to keep the water at bay. Good idea you may think! Well yes, BUT. After the weekend wash and polish, I duly wound the adjuster in, then out again, to be greeted by water seeping out in between the body and the black adjuster. So now we know why they seize up in the first place. So off came the footrest hanger, followed by the adjuster, which I left dangling from the bike for five minutes to let it drain, then blasted WD40 up under the black adjuster wheel, and it is now smooth and slick again. I am a bit shocked really because I have been really vigilent on trying to keep the water out, but all to no avail. So I am now going to get an old bicycle inner tube and cut a section off, and make sure it is a really tight fit over the whole of the adjuster unit. Please be aware, because if your bike is out of warranty :cry: :cry:££££££
Good advice Geoff, £600 for a new unit. :no:
Interesting, especially in light of KMUK's comment that it is due to lack of use and an isolated problem! See letter in 'Fed Up' thread.
Having my rear shock replaced at the moment, if it ever arrives, so will bear this in mind.
If I was replacing out of warranty I'd be looking at Hyperpro or Nitron as alternatives, better options anyway.
Good point Geoff, and since our conversation on last Sundays ride out I too have started a Regime of winding the adjuster in and out, at the moment its fine
I will keep an eye on your experiences, and if needed will apply a french tickler to mine as extra 'protection' :mfr_lol:
- yeah , me too. Have started to dutifully dail a couple of turns in and then turn her out. Sometimes forgetting whether its in or out this time .... buggered.
:ninja:
.
Mine is in for it's third shock today, second warranty replacement. 23 months old, 29k miles.
I am very surpised Kawasaki have not updated the part, but I guess they have done the maths and decided that a redesign is more expensive than continuing to replace the shocks when they fail.
Martin.
Quote from: MJJ_ZX6RR on August 17, 2012, 11:19:36 AM
Mine is in for it's third shock today, second warranty replacement. 23 months old, 29k miles.
I am very surpised Kawasaki have not updated the part, but I guess they have done the maths and decided that a redesign is more expensive than continuing to replace the shocks when they fail.
Martin.
Mine went in on Monday, but the shock is on back order until end of next month, so I hope they got one in for you early!
Quote from: MJJ_ZX6RR on August 17, 2012, 11:19:36 AM
Mine is in for it's third shock today, second warranty replacement. 23 months old, 29k miles.
I am very surpised Kawasaki have not updated the part, but I guess they have done the maths and decided that a redesign is more expensive than continuing to replace the shocks when they fail.
Martin.
Martin I dont think Kawasaki will be too bothered, they will be claiming back of the shock manufacturer.
Hi Geoff,I,m waiting now to be called back to the dealer for a new shock this week.I,ll let you know what they advise to keep it all working and happy.Thanks for the post.
Quote from: nige gtr on August 18, 2012, 10:41:55 PM
Hi Geoff,I,m waiting now to be called back to the dealer for a new shock this week.I,ll let you know what they advise to keep it all working and happy.Thanks for the post.
Spoke to KMUK on Friday and shock is on back order from Japan still, might be a month before they have any.
mmmmmm...seems like there's been high demand for replacements :yes:
I've been checking mine and its still ok, BUT it does seem to be less positive on its current setting (click) which is very odd.
I'm at Autorama tomorrow for the recall so I'll get it checked out
Mine is fine and under warranty .... thank goodness ...at £600 a go ! .....
- i put a balloon over mine.
- and if you don't religiously wind it in and out , the first thing you'll notice is the knob take alot more strength to turn and when it does turn , you don't hear the "click" ... bad.
.
Quote from: pistole on September 06, 2012, 10:09:59 AM
- i put a balloon over mine.
You sure its a balloon and not a Condom :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
- went scrounging about for a used condom but couldn't find any ... hence the balloon ....
- did i mention i was cheap ?
.
Where do you 'scrounge about' for a USED condom? :huh: :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Bondu on September 06, 2012, 01:53:15 PM
Where do you 'scrounge about' for a USED condom? :huh: :mfr_lol:
Best not to ask!
Always wondered what to do with used condoms. Perhaps a used one would help keep the knob lubricated........ :whistling:
Quote from: Winston Smith on September 06, 2012, 02:38:58 PM
Always wondered what to do with used condoms. Perhaps a used one would help keep the knob lubricated........ :whistling:
Shocking! Is that cos you're now hanging about with 'sea men' :mfr_lol:
Short of taking the complete shock, and pre-load adjuster off the bike and leaving it in a box of cotton wool, I have done as much as is possible to cossett and protect them from the elements.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BUT My 4 weeks and 4000 miles old pre load adjuster has siezed again, this being the replaced one after the same problem with the original. I think I shall be having a word with someone at the big K very soon.
Quote from: 100milesaway on September 10, 2012, 09:04:44 PM
Short of taking the complete shock, and pre-load adjuster off the bike and leaving it in a box of cotton wool, I have done as much as is possible to cossett and protect them from the elements.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BUT My 4 weeks and 4000 miles old pre load adjuster has siezed again, this being the replaced one after the same problem with the original. I think I shall be having a word with someone at the big K very soon.
WHAT !!.... there MUST be some manufacturing defect there Geoff (I got your P.M BTW)
There's no way that dirt ingress could have caused it to seize again after such a short period of time :no:
I just thought...I'll ring my mate at Autorama and sound him out, cos there's something not right about this
I'm convinced these are a shit design. I had mine replaced under warranty only a few weeks ago. Yesterday I went to give it a screw in and out as recommended to keep it moving freely and I struggled to turn it. When it did move it squeaked as if there was some debris caught between the black knob and the cylinder. I gave it a good squirt of lubricant and it freed it up but I was shocked that it was well on its way to seizing again.
I've spoken to Brian at Autorama and he has no knowledge of any problems as he's not had it mentioned to him. so its a bit of a mystery really.
I left my remote adjuster immersed in oil last night, to see if that could work its way in and free the adjuster up. I will report back on the result. :undecided:
I have just emerged from the garage, and the verdict is It's dead :rip:. The adjuster will turn slightly, but only if you take the footrest off and use both hands to turn the adjuster. So I can see another new one being fitted soon. I will phone the dealer tomorrow, and see what they have to say :sad:.
KMUK know about this problem all too well, and admitted to me a month ago. Actually told me 2 weeks ago shocks are on back order and hopefully it's due to a redesign. We can only hope!
I have a KMUK demo bike shock on my bike at the moment,until new stock arrives.
- mine is also being replaced under warranty ... on a 3 month old bike ....
- if an oil soak doesn't help , there must be a corrosion/galling issue with the internal components in that adjuster.
- before ok'ing the replacement, the dealer tried to oil it with chain lube. Didn't help ....
.
Just out of curiosity because of all the negative posts about the rear pre-load adjuster, I thought I would try mine to see if it was ok (I have tried it through the whole range prviosly when I first got the bike 6/12 ago)
It spins like a propeller 34 turns in or out no problems whatsoever, also no pulsing discs, no rusty exhaust (although I took the hideously large and ugly std pipe off) no paint peeling off footrests. Am I just blessed or are all you guys very unlucky???
Looked after very well by previous owner, and I keep it in a garage and seldom see rain when out and still low mileage (5500)
Coman
- the adjuster is on the left. Your pipe is on the right. There's no need to remove the pipe.
.
Quote from: coman37 on September 11, 2012, 10:30:57 PM
Just out of curiosity because of all the negative posts about the rear pre-load adjuster, I thought I would try mine to see if it was ok (I have tried it through the whole range prviosly when I first got the bike 6/12 ago)
It spins like a propeller 34 turns in or out no problems whatsoever, also no pulsing discs, no rusty exhaust (although I took the hideously large and ugly std pipe off) no paint peeling off footrests. Am I just blessed or are all you guys very unlucky???
Looked after very well by previous owner, and I keep it in a garage and seldom see rain when out and still low mileage (5500)
Coman
Don't think the older models had this problem. Mine was used daily with all sorts of crap thrown at it.
I tried mine the other day and it was quite hard to turn.
10K miles and 15 months old.
I'll have to keep an eye on it. :wacko:
No problem with mine. Just press the ESA button. :whistling:
Quote from: Winston Smith on September 12, 2012, 12:28:59 AM
No problem with mine. Just press the ESA button. :whistling:
- just you wait till your front ESA shock starts the dreaded squeak !!
.
Same as others here my pre-load adjuster has seized. Took it to my local dealer on Friday as he is now waiting on KWUK to authorise the replacement to be done. He also took some pictures of a couple of bits of flakey paintwork.
Bike is 2010 with 13K miles on.
My bike currently has no problems with this component...(ermm should I have said that ) :oops: :mfr_lol:
However if my bike was out of warranty and did have a problem with the adjuster I would definitely go down this route :yes:
http://www.hyperpro.com/
Took my bike back to dealers ( Orrell Wigan ) today to have its second new rear shock fitted, both replaced under warranty, both shocks died the same kind of death with the pre-load adjuster siezing.The dealer was brilliant, on arrival the bike was put on the bench the lads made me a brew and by the time I had had chin wag to the staff I was ready to go, great service, no hassle,well done Orrell, and well done Kawasaki. :banana: :smiley: ps the adjuster is now sporting a lovely tight fitting white balloon, lets see if that keeps the water out :yes:.
Geoff, it has to be false economy to Kawasaki replacing these units in the numbers they dearly are. £600 + per unit and they still seem perfectly content to just keep changing them, absolute madness.
I expected the 2013 model to have a different design on it :wacko:
Yes It does seem a bit crazy, but maybe Kawasaki are claiming back of their shock supplier in which case It wont cost them anything. It's just a bit of a faf for us having to take bikes back to have replacements fitted, I'm not bothered really because my trips back to the dealer are counted as a ride out, Leyburn to Wigan via Hawes, and Ribblehead viaduct, then Settle to Gisburn is not to bad a price to pay. It can get a bit expensive though as the last time I went I ended up buying a new bike :eek:.
Quote from: 100milesaway on October 16, 2012, 05:14:51 PM
, Leyburn to Wigan via Hawes, and Ribblehead viaduct, then Settle to Gisburn is not to bad a price to pay. It can get a bit expensive though as the last time I went I ended up buying a new bike :eek:.
:mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Yup, one year old and mine has seized. Being replaced under warranty on Friday.
I think I'll be getting a new one every year at this rate!
Hi I,ve put a rubber sleeve over my adjuster,made from a section of a bicycle inner tube.Peel it back to adjust,and it keeps all the water and any other stuff out.hope it helps.
Just updated my pre-load adjuster cover, the white balloon has been superseded by a lovely Green one. And very fetching it looks too. :banana: :smiley:
Quote from: 100milesaway on October 19, 2012, 05:35:32 PM
Just updated my pre-load adjuster cover, the white balloon has been superseded by a lovely Green one. And very fetching it looks too. :banana: :smiley:
If there's no photo it aint happened :wink:
Quote from: 100milesaway on October 19, 2012, 05:35:32 PM
Just updated my pre-load adjuster cover, the white balloon has been superseded by a lovely Green one. And very fetching it looks too. :banana: :smiley:
Geoff you seem to have a plentiful supply of coloured balloons, were they left over from past birthdays mate :mfr_lol:
geoff.. you will soon be running out of "MATES" unless you've bought the "BUMPER" multi coloured 12 pack :mfr_lol:
Quote from: 2kwacks on October 20, 2012, 08:25:26 PM
geoff.. you will soon be running out of "MATES" unless you've bought the "BUMPER" multi coloured 12 pack :mfr_lol:
:mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: Hey I'm 64 me ya know :whistling:.
Quote from: 100milesaway on October 20, 2012, 09:38:33 PM
:mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol: Hey I'm 64 me ya know :whistling:.
exactly.. "MATES" have a use by date "YA KNOW" plus it would be a :cry: ing shame to let them just perish away :grin: it's ironic really, because there still protecting your interests.. :mfr_lol:
I know one has to be careful with what you spray into the adjuster to prevent it from seizing up. Would using a PTFE lubricant be OK ( Wynflon ). Or could this also have a negative affect on the rubber seals inside the adjuster ?
Advice please !!!!!!!!!!!!
Deon
I would be a bit reluctant to spray anything inside there, as I'm not sure what seals etc are likely to be affected by that Deon, however I understand that a chain adjustment mechanism exists within the unit so a dose of WD or similar every so often may not be a bad idea.
WD40 is a releasing agent so I would not put that in there ( that WILL affect the rubber seals ).
What's your take on the PTFE lubricant though ??
Deon
I'm certainly no expert Deon, but quick research shows that PTFE is either a water or solvent based material, and I copied this which might add some explanation
MAC 422 Water Based PTFE Dry Film Lubricant
Water based, bonded PTFE dry film lubricant and coating that will bond tenaciously to all surfaces. Will provide a colorless coating with excellent lubricity and a low coefficient of friction. Provides excellent stick slip properties. Stable to 550°F.
Typical Applications:
Antistick Coating, Assembly Lubricant, Chutes, Conveyor Belts, Dry Film Lubricant, Gaskets, Glass, Holding Tanks, Leather, Locks, Metals, Paper, Plastics, Processing Equipment, Pulleys, Rubber, Slides, Sliding Doors & Windows, Sliding Surfaces, Solid Film Lubricant, Spray Booths, Vending Machines, Wood
Materials:
Metal, Plastics, Rubber
Yep, got all that when I did my research ( Google is my best friend ).
However, I still do not know whether or not this could cause damage to the rubber seals in the adjuster as it does not mention whether or not it is a releasing agent.
Hopefully someone on this forum has the answer ??
Deon
Deon, there is no mention in any Kawasaki litarature, or service procedures about any fluid/maintanance spray etc being sprayed up the adjuster. It's very simple, the adjuster is a no maintanance unit, all the stories of spraying this, that, or the other up, or around it, are simply a load of tosh. I f it's gone stiff :embarrassed: and/or stopped working it needs a new one, and Kawasaki are not shy about replacing them under warranty. Whilst on the subject Roger obviously believes that the adjuster inside is moved by wire,or chain, whilst I am led to believe that the unit is hydraulic. Does anyone actually KNOW the truth? :smiley:.
Geoff, I looked on the maintenance PDF and couldn't see anything that answered that question
It remains one of the great unsolved mysteries
I do agree with you, that if the unit is knackered, then get it changed Kawasaki are aware of the 'problem'
Quote from: olde coney on October 30, 2012, 05:23:25 PM
Geoff, I looked on the maintenance PDF and couldn't see anything that answered that question
It remains one of the great unsolved mysteries
I do agree with you, that if the unit is knackered, then get it changed Kawasaki are aware of the 'problem'
My mate Gordon would love to come across one, so that he can take it to his man cave and operate on it, and I want to be there as he dons is rubber gloves and makes the first incition. :popcorn:.
to me , the unit feels like its just cable operated, the adjuster knob feels like its turning a mechanism that pulls or releases the cable. Ive always been of the opinion that the siezing is actually at the shock absorber end rather than the adjuster end and spraying various products into it and protecting your knob with a condom wont do a fat lot of good. regular exercise of the knob is the best prevention. :mfr_lol:
BTW, ive got a neoprene shock tube on mine, vowed id not have a hugger again, dont know if the shocktube is anygood or not but not had a siezed shock after 2 years, although i regularly adjust it as we ride , 1 up , 2 up, luggage ect