spring Pre-load doesn't go beyond mark 2

[Jambo]

Hi all. I got this 14 from my cousin-in-law, which is in fairly good condition. I decided to set the rear suspension to factory settings which should be perfect for my weight. So I tried to compresse them to maximum. Left one did, but the right one got stuck at 3 or 4. The manual states 1.5 on the spring lines. So we can do that, no worries, but is that normal? The is also a very dry ring of plastic which seems rubbish. They seem to work just fine. But then again, I began riding not even a month ago, so I know nothing, I might well be riding with a blowned up shock, who knows!
Some pics of right suspension



Take a look at that poor rubber!



Pics of left suspension, which looks like it is leaking from above?! complete shatered dust seal. Substance is greasy.



Bike is a K2 with about 66000km. Do they qualify for retirement?! Your thoughts on this please

Cheers

[Mick_J]

In my unprofessional opinion they what's technically known as shagged.  They need stripped down and the seals replaced and refilled with oil as a minimum, if that works out its a relatively cheap fix otherwise they will need replacing.

[Jambo]

In my unprofessional opinion they what's technically known as shagged.  They need stripped down and the seals replaced and refilled with oil as a minimum, if that works out its a relatively cheap fix otherwise they will need replacing.

Interesting. I thought, wrongly, they were not serviceable. I haven't seen any kits for that! Not that I have look for it, But I tend to navegate shops inventory to see what they have for the bike!

Thanks for the tip!

Cheers

[Andre]

This is a known Problem.  There are threads on here that can help you in fixing the hydraulic preload adjusters. At first I would rip the white plastic rings out. Use lots of compressed air to clean the space out. I suspect a ton of dirt there. The dirt is the cause of the issue (besides the bad design). The latest model shocks (with the red springs - no white rings)) hardly ever have this issue.

Type "preload adjuster" in the search for how to fix this tips.

Looking at the rubber stopper and considering 66k km the shocks need a complete rebuild (or replacement).

[Eric GSX1400K3]

What Andre said.

Just rebuilt mine (2003 model) 43000km.

Easy enough just search on here

[gsxbarmy]

You may be able to repair them. See these 2 articles:

https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=130.0

https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=1813.0

[Alan Moreton]

Morning all.
I had the first shocks replaced under warranty within a year or so of buying the bike new.  A few years a later - the same issue. I simply replaced the oil, with thicker oil.  Then after another period of time, that was replaced with grease.  Its only there as a medium to provide a hydraulic action.

Its been perfect since (about 10years).  From memory I removed the spring, so as to unload the pre load mechanism.  Removed the filler screw (the tiny M5? screw).  Squirted in the grease using a syringe.  Then I wound in the preload plastic adjuster a few times which in effect is bleeding any air and old oil out of the cylinder, and then re-assembled it all.

Worked for me.  Good luck. 
Chip 

[gmars70970]

I had a similar problem but I could harden he shock up to ring No.5 but it wouldn't wind back.
So i stripped it down today.
There was some oxidation on the internal slider. I cleaned it all up, wire wool, oil & finally some polish. O-rings looked fine so i oiled it all up and put it back together. Refilled using 10-40 oil and theres now full movement 👏👏
I'll leave it over night and if theres no leaks i'll do the other side tmrw.

After looking at how it works i'd guess yours may be low on oil, thats why its not going to ring No.5