Suspension problems / dilemmas

[SpyInTheCamp]

I have a 5 year old GS that I have had from new. It now has 46k miles on the clock.

Just over two years ago, I replaced the rear shock with a WP 4014 Spin with hydraulic preload adjuster. At the time, I mentioned to WP that I weighed 95 kilos with riding gear on.

To be honest, I've never been that impressed with the change to the handling. However, I put that down to a number of likely issues. I never changed the front shock, that still has the OE item. I also lost a fair bit of weight over that period and am now 75 kilos in weight, plus whatever the riding gear is. And I'm also no suspension set up genius.

Over time, I've fiddled with various adjusters and gradually reduced the preload too. and a couple of weeks ago I even increased the shock length may moving the bottom eye out a few mm. But it still doesn't feel right.

So today I decided to re-set the sag using the suggested measurements. However, no matter how much I move the preload adjuster, it seems to make little difference to the measurements. So I suspect that the adjuster is bust. I've also noticed that the back wheel is touching the deck when the bike is on the mainstand!

Not sure what to do next. I'd like to buy a new bike but that's now postponed until next Spring. Do I take the shock out and get the now ex-WP UK people to service it and adjust if possible? Should I get a new front shock too? If so, what? The now ex-WP people are Ohlins specialists instead and probably don't sell WP anymore? Or should I just sell the WP shock and buy a new matching set and keep the bike until 2012?

Any thoughts?

Kai

 

[AdamA]

Take it off and mail it to a current WP dealer.
Get them to service it and check the spring rate is correct for your current weight.
It will come back like new and cost under £100.

http://www.mctsuspension.com/
http://www.wpsuspension.co.uk/about.php
are both well respected.

 

[Slowdown]

There's plenty of suspension shops that'll service WP shocks, you don't have to send them to Full Travel. WP are a common brand - it's just so many think Ohlins is the be all and end all.

I've the same shock as you and I used the guide Ohlins do to set up the sag and ride height for the front and rear shocks.

http://www.ohlins.com/Products/MountingInstructions/MI_BM543.pdf


I think someone on here posted up servicing costs for theirs recently - it was about £250, I think.

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

Looks like the spring is slightly harder than standard. However, they are unable to obtain and fit replacement springs since WP closed down the Dutch factory last year!

I think I might just dig out the OE shock and try that again! Looks like WP isn't going to do much good for me...!

Kai

 

[AdamA]

Looks like the spring is slightly harder than standard. However, they are unable to obtain and fit replacement springs since WP closed down the Dutch factory last year!

I think I might just dig out the OE shock and try that again! Looks like WP isn't going to do much good for me...!

Kai

You should be able to fit a correct weight spring from another manufacturer. They are pretty standard fare.
Just speak to someone that knows their way around lots of makes...

 

[Pukmeister]

You could try John Gaskell at Revs Racing/Every Accessory ?

 

[Falco9]

I can highly recommend Gareth Evans @ Reactive Suspension Nr York

Gareth has been servicing my shocks & re-valving forks for me for a good few years now and really knows his stuff. (Gareth was Kagayama's suspension man when he was with Crescent Suzuki)

I've just bought a pair of 2nd hand WP shocks for the GS and he will be looking after them for me from here on in

http://www.reactivesuspension.com/

F9

 

[Robin B'stard]

As previously mentioned John Gaskell is a very helpfull guy and does a lot of 1200 gs bikes. If you give him a ring and explain the problem he'll possibly know what your problem is. He serviced a friends rear shock on a Transalp for £120 and set it up for his weight and laundry for a trip to Morocco a few months ago.

I've recently started and concluded a suspension thread involving a WP front shock on my 54 plate gs with 12.5k on the clock. I've put a stock Showa on it off a 2007 bike and it's solved my problem. Didn't have a problem with the WP rear and it remains as it was supplied. I weigh about 70kg on a good day.

If it helps the link is here.
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231341

Best of luck