Reconditioning rear shock

[Norfolk Tiger]

Thanks very much for all the advise guys. Just had a call from the dealer £1600 to replace the shock and that's with them only charging me an hours labour!

That's shocking sorry I couldn't resist

 

[daytripper!]

Was due to collect my bike after it's service today and on the way there I had a call from the dealer who services my bike to let me now that the rear shock of my 2010 36000 miles GSA has overnight exploded all over their showroom floor and that I would not be able to ride the bike away. I have no choice but to get them to replace it as the bike is not ridable but wanted to know if it's usually possible to recondition blown shocks and if so should I ask to keep the old shock so that I can at least recoup some of the cost of the new one (apparently, shocks are not covered by extended warranty when over 30,000 miles)?

Live local to you and may be able to help out, pm sent.

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

Make sure you get the torx in tight.....

Any idea what size torx bit is required? I think the largest I've got is T45.

 

[Lord Snooty]

As has already been suggested don't go for the OEM as you will be stiffed with a whopping bill. Either send it to Firefox in Keighley or ride it to Rev's Racing and get them to fit a Wilbers. As far as I know removing the bottom bolt can be a bugger due to the loctite and will need heat. Should not be a problem to ride, it will just be a bit boingy, my K1300GT lost all of its oil but none of it ended up on the tyre.

 

[Mistacat]

Any idea what size torx bit is required? I think the largest I've got is T45.

T50 same as rear wheel bolts. Use a quality 1/2" Drive one on a powerbar.

 

[adventuredon]

As mentioned in this post....do not lose the spacer behind between exhaust bolt and exhaust...DAMHIK....http://www.mts1200.info/motorcyclei...contentGeneric.nkyqiukevryeuzut&pageId=348005
torque values here as I am sure that'll be a forthcoming request!

 

[Stujw70]

Sent you a PM, got a set of shocks from my 08 12GSA you can borrow if it helps you out of trouble. Non ESA though.

Stu

 

[Edventure]

I have a pair of 2010 GSA ESA shocks sitting in my garage. Only done 900 miles, had Wilbers fitted. They're just the shocks on their own as the ESA mechanism went on the Wilbers.
Give me a shout if you haven't got sorted yet.

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

Just a quick thanks for all the generous offers and hugely useful advise I've received on this issue. A gentleman of this parish has now offered to sell me his spare virtually unused GSA ESA shock at a very good rate.
We underestimate what a fantastic resource we have with UKGSer until we really need it.

 

[Bendy toy]

No disrespect to the seller but do check it's the right type for your bike. Earlier ESA was Showa. Later were WP. They are not compatible.

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

It's the same year (2010) as my bike.

No disrespect to the seller but do check it's the right type for your bike. Earlier ESA was Showa. Later were WP. They are not compatible.

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

Can anyone tell me how easy/difficult it is to connect the shock with the ESA unit?

 

[Pukmeister]

On my 2008 Showa ESA shock, the ESA preload unit head is mechanically held in place onto the shock with a snap ring whilst under compression from the spring.

The ESA unit has two electrical connecting plugs under the seat, one for the hydraulic preload motor and one for the damping adjustment internal servo motor.

Presumably a 2010 is similar.

Sent via my iThingumabob

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

Have now spoken to MCT who will be servicing my damper unit and they say that separating/refitting the damper to the ESA unit is almost impossible without a spring press so the idea of replacing the damper with a spare while mine is being serviced is out the window.
Plan B is to try fitting a used non ESA unit from MotorWorks to the bike while my ESA unit is being rebuilt.
Anyone see any holes in this idea?

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

Plan B now appears to have gone down in flames as I can't locate a used non-ESA shock unit anywhere

 

[Mistacat]

I sent a 1200 ESA Rear in to MCT it arrived with them Monday 8th.
Serviced and re-valved for more compression damping. Arrived back here this morning 10th.

 

[adventuredon]

My shock was sent off last Wednesday, got a call Monday to say they were ready. Arrived Tuesday and I refitted it same day. Brilliant service from MCT. 190 including all postage, service and revolving.

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

Managed to pick up a low mileage non-ESA unit for £200 and with the gratefully received help of daytripper (many thanks Andy) removed the ESA unit (now on it's way to MCT for reconditioning) and fitted the non-ESA shock. No dramas, everything came off and went back on easily, except for the rear brake disc which I was also changing. Surprisingly, riding an ESA configured bike with a non-ESA rear shock resulted in no error messages being displayed.