| Author | Message | ||
     Nocompromise |
Two steps forward, one step back... So, my bike is coming along great - I'm going to test it out tomorrow to see if I've improved the carburetion problems. Tonight I decided to try fine tuning my newish Penske. All I've done to it thus far is to set the sag. So, I read through the manual and verified that the little screw on the ride height adjustment part is for "rebound" (extension damping - so, really it's 'wheel compression', but shock rebound). I decided to turn it full soft and then count out the number of turns to adjust it. So, I loosened the screw (softened the adjustment) about 5 turns (no clicking that I could hear) and all of a sudden it made a big clunking noise. The screw felt very loose and the o-ring was visible (which I didn't remember from before). I screwed it back in to full tight, but the o-ring is still visible on the outside of the threaded hole. If I loosen it even a couple turns, the screw feels a little loose, and the o-ring is not going to prevent any fluid from getting out. Has anyone had this issue before? | ||
| Djkaplan |
Call Penske, they'll know. They were eager to help when I called about a used Penske shock I bought. | ||
| Nocompromise |
Thanks Dan. I was planning to call them and/or Traxxion (who I bought the shock from) this morning. I'm just impatient and I was hoping to get it sorted over the weekend.  | ||
| Djkaplan |
Hey, Kevin... When you get an answer from Penske, post what the problem was for the rest of us Penske users. I didn't think about it at the time, but the service manual for Penske shocks is offered free for download. | ||
| Nocompromise |
Dan, I did get an answer from Penske. You can see on the diagram in the manual they sent me (I assume it's the same as the downloadable one) that there is a spring loaded ball that is supposed to stop the rebound (actually compression for Buells) adjuster from coming all the way out. Well, evidently it is a very 'soft' stop as Bruce from Penske put it. He said they would be able to fix it in around 24 hours and send it back. The only 'sticky' part was he said they may have to replace a part if the threads are stripped out, which would cost me $130 or something. Otherwise, it will be free (other than the shipping). If it turns out the part is broken, then I will dispute charging me for it. I don't feel that I did anything wrong by setting the compression adjuster to full soft, and I CERTAINLY didn't over-torque it. It was also the first time I used the adjuster. If any other product broke the very first time I used it, I would definitely expect the manufacturer to repair or replace it. But, I'll cross that bridge when I get there. In addition, they may change out the spring for a stiffer one since I am having to use a lot of preload for the proper sag. Moral for any other Penske owners: Be VERY gentle and slow when you are adjusting the compression (adjuster located near the rear shock mount, not the adjuster on the reservoir). | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'd suggest that if they're going to have the unit anyway, send a note with your bodyweight on it and have them put in the "right" spring for you. It'll be worth it in the long run. | ||
| Jayvee |
I turned that screw all the way in, and all the way out, to see how many turns of adjustment I had in total. (Searching for the "middle path"...) Maybe I was turning it gently, but mine didn't come out. Didn't 'force' it though. I downloaded a couple of manuals from their old web-site, I couldn't find them on it last time I looked. The manual doesn't seem mention the compression/rebound controls are reversed from the manual for Buells. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I think it's one of the first pages, at least in the manual I have. It goes into sag settings and all that "dare to be different" stuff for the Buells right off the bat, and then gets into the parts breakdown pages IIRC. | ||
| Nocompromise |
Joe, I had Traxxion Dynamics build the shock for me, so they knew my exact weight and riding style when they put the spring in. Penske just said they would double check it and make sure they agreed with the spring choice. I spoke to Traxxion again today and part of the problem with preload may have been that I had adjusted my ride height adjuster to the LOWEST setting.  I didn't think it through and just assumed that lengthening the shock would increase the ride height. It kind of sucks that the shock comes already adjusted to the highest ride height. If anything, I would like to be able to raise it. My manual doesn't have much in the way of Buell specific info. It still refers to the adjuster near the rear shock mount as 'rebound'. Jayvee, I was planning to do the same thing, and definitely didn't force anything. (Message edited by nocompromise on November 27, 2007) | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'll have to check my manual when I get home. I got an ex-race team Penske for my S1W and it had the hard manuals with it from new. It was also "for Buell" when it was new, so maybe I have extra pages? I'll look and see, and if I have something unusual I'll scan 'em to post or email. | ||
| Djkaplan |
That ride height adjustment is a great feature. I have more rear height jacked in to quicken the steering a bit. It really made a difference in the twisties. Out of all the mods and stuff I bought for my bike, the Penske shock was the one thing that make the biggest night-and-day difference. The shock is spendy, but it's worth the money, it really is. I hope it works out for you with the Penske guys. |
