Showa Fork questions

[2Evil4U]

Even though I didn't hammer the front end on the ride in the woods last Sunday, the Buell started making a new noise on my way home from work today, (And not one that sounds like nickels in a blender) so I'm a little concerned.

The noise is like a click or clunk when the front forks compress and rebound. It's not metallic sounding, really more plasticky sounding than anything. It's not the front brake caliper, I know what that sounds like. I checked the steering head bearings and they are tight.

I can duplicate the noise by holding the front brake locked and rocking the bike down on the front pretty hard.

I loosened the front preload completely and found that I can make it click on the way down, and then repeat the click on the way back up.

These forks have 6.5" of stroke, and the noise seems to be in about the mid-range of that. I didn't feel anything different in the handling, and nothing is leaking or visibly loose.

Anyone have any thoughts as to what is in a Showa fork that might be able to make that type of noise?

[2Evil4U]

Well.

The bike is in the shop for a fork oil change and for the dealer to diagnose the knocking noise I had in the front end.

Just got off the phone with them and the noise is not coming from the forks.

There is one large bolt through a rubber mount that attaches the front of the engine to the frame. The bolt threads into an insert that threads into the frame. Somehow, the insert is failing and starting to back out. They're rushing the parts in and that portion of the fix will be covered under the waranty.

At least they were able to find the problem. I do like HDBR.

[Britton]

Glad you are getting it corrected. You do realize that one of our members is a sales rep for loctite, don't you?













:wall: :D

[2Evil4U]

Yep.
:)

Strangely, they said they had to rush in parts so I don't think it's as simple as a locktite issue. It may well be a mechanical locking insert of some sort. I'll be interested in seeing exactly what failed when I finally can pick it up. (Unfortunately, given the general lack of availability of Buell parts, I fully expect it will take longer to fix this than it took to completely tear-down and rebuild your GS.)

[Britton]

Nothing a little bondo and bailing wire couldn't fix!

Maybe you should take it to Heberts. :D

[2Evil4U]

Given the crickets chirping in my garage, they'd probably be just as successful at repairing this thing quickly as the HD shop. This is the reason I always stop by two weeks in advance and tell them what parts they need to order before I bring the bike in. This is what will generally piss off the Buellers who don't do their own work. They think it's the shop's fault they can't get parts. It's the whole network.

I really think it's a ploy to get me to buy a spare bike....

They have one of these that just came in that's calling my name... Although I don't think it would be that good off road....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/VRSCSE2.jpg

[Britton]

But it does have a really low center of gravity. Might help with that falling issue. :D

Sorry to hear you still don't have it back. Any ETA on those parts?

[2Evil4U]

Nope. No ETA. Supposedly they "rushed" shipped them. My concern is that the weird piece of the front motor mount that broke is not a standard replacement part and doesn't exist.

I'm going to pin them down for a delivery date Monday.

I did put together my list of parts for the tank. Looks like about $300 total. Probably take me about a day or two to fab and install once everything gets here.

[Juice]

And i thought i was confused.



Given the crickets chirping in my garage, they'd probably be just as successful at repairing this thing quickly as the HD shop. This is the reason I always stop by two weeks in advance and tell them what parts they need to order before I bring the bike in. This is what will generally piss off the Buellers who don't do their own work. They think it's the shop's fault they can't get parts. It's the whole network.

I really think it's a ploy to get me to buy a spare bike....

They have one of these that just came in that's calling my name... Although I don't think it would be that good off road....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/VRSCSE2.jpg

[Rocky]

Don't hate big brother. Harleys need love too.
And i thought i was confused.

[Britton]

Nope. No ETA. Supposedly they "rushed" shipped them. My concern is that the weird piece of the front motor mount that broke is not a standard replacement part and doesn't exist.

I'm going to pin them down for a delivery date Monday.

I did put together my list of parts for the tank. Looks like about $300 total. Probably take me about a day or two to fab and install once everything gets here.

Are you fabbing the tank or retro-fitting one that already exists?

[2Evil4U]

I picked up a 4-gallon dragster cell from RCI and all the necessary fittings from Summit. All I'll need when it gets here is a 1/8" NPT tap (and maybe a Q drill) and I'm in business.

[Britton]

Looks like you got your bike back. How is it?

[Zeek]

How much was the fork oil change?

[2Evil4U]

just under $300 and the left fork only lasted 2-months. they're redoing it for free next week.

[Zeek]

just under $300 and the left fork only lasted 2-months. they're redoing it for free next week.

Was that for just fork oil change?

[2Evil4U]

Yup. Supposedly included all new seals & bushings & other random stuff.

This is going to be the next set of tools I purchase and will be a job I start doing myself.

[Zeek]

Why would they change all of that if it is not leaking? The manual just says change the oil.

[2Evil4U]

Beats me. They get to do it again, though, so we'll see.