Rear shock

[Kwikasfuki]

Finally got it replaced under warranty on Friday, and had the first proper ride on the bike today after increasing the tension to 18 clicks (same as I had it on my old GTR)

What a difference! Feels like a new bike. I'm well chuffed.

I'm not sure if this is a new design that won't sieze or if its the same design. Anyone know how I can tell? If it is the same design, what's the trick to stop water ingress?

[Lonewolf]

Asif, does it look any different to the one which was removed? In all honesty its probably just been a straight swop, Kawasaki seem to be 'just accepting' that there is an issue with the shocks on the 2010+ models and simply dealing with the warranty claims as they raise their heads as opposed to actually conducting a major recall and fitting a component which is fit for purpose.

Having said that, the knack appears to be once every couple of weeks tweak the adjuster through its range and hope you catch it in time.

[davetherave]

[quote what's the trick to stop water ingress?
[/quote]

Firstly remember what setting the unit is at (I've put a small blob of white paint on mine) then spray some water repelent/lubricant inside the body of the adjuster (you may have to remove the adjuster knob to do this but it's literally a 2 minute job all in) and rotate the adjuster through 360 degrees a couple of times then put it back to the setting you had.

I hope this helps

dtr

[Lonewolf]

Dave, what year is your GTR? I'm not convinced the top of the shock adjuster comes off the newer style adjusters, although I may be wrong as I've never tried to remove it.

[Stephen.Stallebrass]

Are they replacing them only under warranty? My 2011 is seized but sadly out of warranty... do you reckon Kawasaki would replace mine?

I might at some give going over with some WD40 like tapps has done here.

[davetherave]

Wolf,

I'm referring to the ohlins I use on my zzr, I've looked at other aftermarket un its and they all seem rebuildable so logic says the kwak version should be too, if it's not re-buildable then how can it be serviced or maintained ? it must be a throw away item 

dtr

[Lonewolf]

Dave I believe it is a throw away item. When I had mine replaced some time ago under warranty there was no mention of it being repaired under warranty, they just swopped it over. I'll have to have a look at it in the morning, you've got me thinking now but I'm convinced they are not designed to be dismantled, at least not by us mere mortals.

Stephen, yes, unfortunately if you have no warranty, you have no chance of a replacement.

[Kwikasfuki]

Does the water get in between the plastic knob and cylinder? Anyone got closeup pics of one?

[Kall1400]

Mine is protected with a condom.... Works fine and no problems...... So far.... 

Oh, and my shock adjuster too........ 

[100milesaway]

Does the water get in between the plastic knob and cylinder? Anyone got closeup pics of one?

Asif, seing as I am the font of all knowledge regarding these shockers,    I shall say this only once.     Get yerself a balloon (round shape) stretch it over the adjuster, with the neck of the balloon over the silver body.  100% GUARATEED FIX.   Same setup on the big Versys, which I have ridden all through winter, bike now 11 months old, 15,000 miles, ( the gtr had done 2 in by then) and the adjuster is still perfect. Dont wait until it seizes, then start pissing about spraying all kinds of bloody lube down it.    STOP it happening in the first place.     .    I'm 66 me ya know, and I know about these things.   

[Kwikasfuki]

Asif, seing as I am the font of all knowledge regarding these shockers,    I shall say this only once.     Get yerself a balloon (round shape) stretch it over the adjuster, with the neck of the balloon over the silver body.  100% GUARATEED FIX.   Same setup on the big Versys, which I have ridden all through winter, bike now 11 months old, 15,000 miles, ( the gtr had done 2 in by then) and the adjuster is still perfect. Dont wait until it seizes, then start pissing about spraying all kinds of bloody lube down it.    STOP it happening in the first place.      .    I'm 66 me ya know, and I know about these things.   

Thanks Geoff. I shalll get some heat shrink and get it covered. Do you know how the water gets in there?

[Boomer]

It's on a motorcycle. Water finds a way in unless you hermetically seal it.
Heatshrink would be a pain as you'd have to cut it off to adjust it.

[100milesaway]

Thanks Geoff. I shalll get some heat shrink and get it covered. Do you know how the water gets in there?

Erm lets see now, oh yes, It's England and it rains a lot, and the adjuster is badly designed, and will let water in between the body and the black adjuster.
Oh and the balloon fix was not a joke, it's just a very simple and cheap way of STOPPING the problem happening.                              PS  the balloons do get grubby, but they are as cheap as chips so can be changed at regular intervals. My bike is white so I buy colour matched ones for it.     Oh, and they do green as well.         

[Kwikasfuki]

I'm wondering why it wasn't a problem on the older models

I shall get something on that

[Kwikasfuki]

Just had a look at mine. Got it replaced on Friday and can see the dirt on it already.

I didn't take it off, but on the side facing the tyre near the black knob, there appears to be a pin. I have a funny feeling that the purpose of the pin is to allow the black knob to be pulled off.

Anyone got a seized adjuster that they want to try this on?