| Author | Message | ||
     Torontobuell |
Hey Folks, I have a 2008 xb12x. One day into my trip to Cape Breton with my wife I noticed oil on the swing arm, around the fan and on the lower part of the shock. I noticed more oil over the next few days. I have not seen oil for the past week or so. The shock seems to fuction ok it is on full preload) Question 1: If the shock is blown will it take more turns (clicks) of the preload dial before I feel resistance? Question 2) How many clicks or turns do you turn before you feel resistance in the dial. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Bruce- the pre-load adjuster is basically a completely separate component from the shock, so you could have a blown shock but still have a perfectly working pre-load adjuster. The preload adjuster sits at the top of the shock above the spring. My guess is if that blows it will blow completely. After a couple of tries you won't feel any resistance as you crank on the preload. IIRC, it normally takes about 4 complete turns before you feel any resistance on the pre-load adjuster (this has been confirmed here by the factory as being normal). To test the shock itself, you could try completely backing off on the preload and then bounce the bike up and down. If the shock is blown, you should see oil where the rod exits the shock body and feel little or no resistance to bouncing the bike. If in doubt, take it to your dealer and let them sort it out. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Sounds more like a rear rockerbox, or maybe a crank seal. Or maybe even a breather hose popped out of the airbox baseplate. It would be exceptionally unusual for a shock to go. | ||
| Chas1969 |
Hello, If you have lost dampening (1st lower pre-load) it should be bouncy (up-down) ... most likley problem with shocks. The pre-load adjustment is hydralic also so if lost the rear end will sag with wieght. There should be some resistence with the pre-load adjuster. If you lost all you damptening just stiffen the preload all the way and call you dealer for new shock (if under warrenty) if not get the old one rebuilt or upgrade to Ohlins, Wilbers ... If you shock is acting Okay. Wash the bike and check for leaks and check/fluid oil levels. Chas | ||
| Jphish |
You can definitely tell a blown shock - had to ride 1500 mi back from Yellowknife with one. Had oil dripping off the lower shock mount...until it ran dry. The trans vent hose is zip tied to the upper shock, but the shock oil is like a 10wt - not 20-50. You can stick a Qtip up the vent hose to check if in doubt. What I really noticed was the pogo stick like quality of the ride. The preload knob DOES feel 'soft' when cranking it down. Just bounce the rear of the bike at the dealer...comparing it to a new one - noticeable difference, since all your left with for a rear suspension is the spring. Replaced under warranty. | ||
| Jphish |
PS - FYI - No Buell dealer in Puget Sound area would send me a shock on my say so. They all wanted to 'eyeball' it. Which I can understand - but real inconvenient for me. | ||
| Florida_lime |
Torontobuell, Your description of the oil path sounds exactly like my rear rockerbox leak. The fan blows the oil all throughout the area. That's when my fan also gave up the ghost.  Two birds with one stone on the warranty visit at least. Except the dealer "had to" fix the leak before they would even test the fan, so I had to wait for parts TWICE while it was in the shop. | ||
| Aussiexbox |
Torontobuell,if ya got warranty get it fixed,I had mine done about 2000k's ago did exactly the same thing,was riding down the road,Tar not rough,and when I pulled up oil all over the swingarm/hugger,& wheel,rang the dealer and it was all done on warranty. Bike only had 11000k's on it in the first place. Cheers Phil |
