Front ESA removal

[waggy]

Hi All

I have a 2013 GSA Twincam and I am in the process of trying to remove the front ESA unit. I have disconnected the 2 cables from under the tank. Removed top nut, washer, rubber bung and the metal sleeve. Jacked the front of the bike up and removed the bottom bolt and released the anti twist plate but I am unable to get the shock out. I have changed the ESA settings to SOFT and no helmets but this has not made and difference.

Would a set of coil spring compressors help or is there another way?

Thanks

Dave


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[Pukmeister]

Remove the plastic guard over the alternator belt to give the final smidgen of clearance, then get a good grip of the thing and pull it forwards and downwards. They are usually in there pretty tightly with zero clearance.

 

[waggy]

That helped a bit but as I have the Adventure the crash bars are allowing the cover to come off completely. I am going to replace the belt so I have to remove it at some point.

Looks like it is a bigger job than I expected


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[PauloAmante]

I've been there three weeks ago after my front ESA shock starts leaking oil. Mine is a 2010 GSA TC.

If i understood you just manage to separate the shock from the bike. Now to get it out:
- you will need to take the bolts under the heads to release the lower crashbars (mines were extremely tight and i use a hammer, heatgun and an extension to release those - also dented my hand in the process...)
- then the two bolts that hold those to the upper bars
- and then the four bolts that hold the upper bars (i didn't separate more than this)
- now belt cover will get out
- shock must go under has much has you can
- finally just pull from the top to the front of the bike

Here you can see without the shock, with upper bar (kind of) in position.

 

[Pukmeister]

The plastic belt cover can be flexed to get it out once all retaining screws are removed.

 

[davegs]

Remove the plastic guard over the alternator belt to give the final smidgen of clearance, then get a good grip of the thing and pull it forwards and downwards. They are usually in there pretty tightly with zero clearance.

 

[RobertMartinez]

I've been there three weeks ago after my front ESA shock starts leaking oil. Mine is a 2010 GSA TC.

If i understood you just manage to separate the shock from the bike. Now to get it out:
- you will need to take the bolts under the heads to release the lower crashbars (mines were extremely tight and i use a hammer, heatgun and an extension to release those - also dented my hand in the process...)
- then the two bolts that hold those to the upper bars
- and then the four bolts that hold the upper bars (i didn't separate more than this)
- now belt cover will get out
- shock must go under has much has you can
- finally just pull from the top to the front of the bike

Here you can see without the shock, with upper bar (kind of) in position.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[waggy]

I've been there three weeks ago after my front ESA shock starts leaking oil. Mine is a 2010 GSA TC.

If i understood you just manage to separate the shock from the bike. Now to get it out:
- you will need to take the bolts under the heads to release the lower crashbars (mines were extremely tight and i use a hammer, heatgun and an extension to release those - also dented my hand in the process...)
- then the two bolts that hold those to the upper bars
- and then the four bolts that hold the upper bars (i didn't separate more than this)
- now belt cover will get out
- shock must go under has much has you can
- finally just pull from the top to the front of the bike

Here you can see without the shock, with upper bar (kind of) in position.

Hi Paul,

Really appreciate your write up as I have now managed to remove the belt cover and get the old shock out and fit the new one.

Regards Dave


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[Ridix]

Hi guys,

I am after refurbishing and service of my ESA system on 2012 GS ADV but i came up to a somewhat idiotic problem:

I'm keeping my bike at my friends garage as i don't have my own. I took out both shocks before winter and screw all parts together a little after to don't make a mess around. Some parts i left under the bike.

And yesterday i finally put all bike together. Without the "anti twist plate" (that mount which was screwed to front shock) because my friend put it somewhere and doesn't remember where
I installed both shocks on the bike but front ESA motor can be twisted. I tried to find everywhere some spare parts to that, but i can't.

Is it possible to substitute/replace it with any other holder? How necessery is that mount?

I can't sometimes with how easiest parts can be the most difficult

Now it looks like that on the bike:

 

[landmarkjohn]

@Ridix Just to help out is it the bracket marked in red that you are missing (I don't have one)

 

[landmarkjohn]

That bracket is supporting the ESA gubbins (probably shouldn't use that word as I think English may not be your first language ) and you really dont want it flapping about and worse case interfering with suspension travel.

There are 5 mounting points fixed with screws (marked 8), three on one side and two on the other. Actually the two top ones are nut and bolt.

I guess at a push you could fabricate a similar bracket to hold it in position. Good luck.

 

[Mistacat]

The shock in the OP`s photo is the later 2012 esa unit which is different to the earlier shock in this parts picture.

 

[landmarkjohn]

The shock in the OP`s photo is the later 2012 esa unit which is different to the earlier shock in this parts picture.

Apologies @Ridix and thanks @Mistacat for correction.

I figured it was probably the same and too lazy to check which just goes to prove be careful what you learn from randomers on the internet. I feel duly obliged to go off and find correct pic

 

[landmarkjohn]

Not sure what the difference but anyhow.

 

[Ridix]

The shock in the OP`s photo is the later 2012 esa unit which is different to the earlier shock in this parts picture.

And that was my fail

Guys literally You can call me drama queen or something like that.
After few months of not seeing parts i checked scheme first before re-installation and saw this metal mount (marked red by landmarkjohn). And i thought i messed up baadly as i couldn't find it. Yesterday i drove again to garage and took a peacefull examination of whole front. And, what a surprise

In my ESA version, the hole unit is hold only by this plastic mount (marked green above), and it fits by 2 little screws directly to shock from above.
There is no extra fitting at all.

I feel myself stupid, but it was a lesson.

Thank so much to:

landmarkjohn
and
Mistacat

for help and pointing it out.​

 

[landmarkjohn]

Glad you got it sorted, it's good to talk.

I am in the same boat, I have a bike torn down for about three years which I'm putting back together, lucky I have a second bike, same model year for reference