second #&!@#@!!! shock death

my second shock just crapped out on me. this, after the original one was replaced at 13K. this one has seen ONLY solo riding with no heavy loads (softbags only) and i've been pretty fastidious (short of mounting a hugger) about keeping the thing clean.

i'm going to take the ride in and *****/piss/moan about a) getting a replacement, STAT. and b) getting some sort of upgrade so this doesn't happen again. i'm hoping it won't be a butt-ugly shock boot, but after mr warranty expires, something's gotta happen.

so, anybody else having this problem (yes, i searched the archives)? does the works/ohlins/penske upgrade seem to circumvent this? is is just these horrible aggieland roads? is this a faulty shock or shock placement design?

roger, your thoughts (and maybe an empathetic beer when i drag the thing down to lone star?)? lennie? anybody?

thanks, y'all.

buford

[DavidSoine]

If the dealer won't come through: Get it rebuilt by Lindemann Engineering. Search this BB for the contact number.

If the dealer is willing to warranty - see if you can get credit toward an Ohlins or something. Avoid putting on another stocker if you can - and certainly don't buy a new stock shock!

best,

Dave

[roger albert]

Hi Buford,

Wow, that stinks. How is the shock failing (blowing out its seal completely?) Normally I'd expect an alignment issue with a 2nd case so soon, but on these bikes, there's no real room for that too happen, short of a frame and/or swingarm casting/machining error.

When are you coming over? Note that next wed is the big SXSW music festival here in Austin, the largest such music fest in the country. Lots of time for beer/bikes etc. It just happens to coincide with a week of forced vacation for our divison at Motorola (wanks, but better than a layoff) so I'll be focused on the fest and catching up on the bike business. One each BMW, Duc, and Honda to work on, plus my own.

Back to the topic though, A hugger does seem in order. I have no data, but believe it HAS to help (if debris is the cause) An potentially ugly, but cheap fix would be to epoxy a larger shield onto the small built in one. If the epoxy was used sparingly and you went with a small piece of CF (like some tank buckle guards) it could be light and cheap and half decent looking, for around $50.
That's what I'd do if I were trying to keep it on a budget. I still get spray with my hugger, but no direct impacts.

How's your shock shaft? Nicks? Funny wear patterns? Lastly, overtightening either mount can cause too little endfloat, subsequent binding, and ultimately seal failure.

hth
regards
roger
beer, bikes, other vices as approp (or not)

[Conrad (RAD) Sudduth]

Mine blew, sent oil all over my rear drive. BMW said no to a replacement. The BMW rep even looked at it and said that early on they replaced them but they would not do that any longer. I had mine rebuilt at Lindemann Engineering. About $150 and works great.

Hey Pelican guys, thanks for the spell check!

Good luck
Rad

[JeffD]

Rad did you ever have LE do your front shock? I called them and whoever I talked to said he did not think they could do the front shock and they have not answered my Emails. Thanks Jeff

[roger albert]

Hi all,

I can't remember who for sure (Rick?) but someone had posted that that was originally the case, but that LE eventually reversed that statement and ended up doing the front. LE does great work, but the cust svc can be slow, especially via email. Similar complaints on the duc list, for years. OTOH, if they're busy (and they are, they do mountain bike stuff too sometimes) they must be doing the actual work well.

later
roger

[Conrad (RAD) Sudduth]

Hi Jeff

They told me they could not rebuild the front. When I posted this I was informed by those "down under" that it could be done, so I took my bike into the shop. I liked the look on the owners face when I told him a guy in Australia told me it could be rebuilt. He looked at it and said he could rebuilt it. The issue was not if it could be rebuilt but rather one of having enough room to put in the exterior valve that they use to recharge it. It turns out there is enough room. This is a small schrader type looking valve that is screwed into the top of the shock.

I have not had my front rebuilt yet.
I was not sure of how good a job they would do so I did not have my rear shock re-valved or re-sprung for my weight and riding style...extra bucks and all. They do a great job so I will spring (that's a funny) for the extra work next time and for sure on my front one.

Rad

p.s. With the valve installed it only cost $90 for a rebuild now!


[This message has been edited by Conrad (RAD) Sudduth (edited 03-05-2001).]

[lennie]

It must have been me !

I had mine rebuilt front and rear with Gold Valves. They have to drill and silver braze a fitting to the body to gas charge it after the rebuild.

Had my Suburban Bilsteins done as well with revalving. It is now a road hugger instead of a road boat. Point is it works well on most vehicles.

Regards,


------------------
LENNIE

[roger albert]

Hi again Buford,

Don't have your email at home, so I'll ping you on list. If you have any troubles getting a 2nd shock under warranty and want to have Lindemann rebuild yours, I can loan you my stocker while yours is in the shop.
Only catch, if you break it too, you get to send it to LE when yours gets back Perhaps in that unfortunate event, we could split the cost or something. Seriously though, it's very unlikely, what with only about 3k miles of 95% dry riding on my stocker, and storage indoors and climate- controlled since removal.

let me know if you're interested. Its on my indoors bench waiting.

later
roger


[This message has been edited by roger albert (edited 03-07-2001).]