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Paul_in_japan
Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 11:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I noticed oil is leaking from my rear shock. Dripping off the spring and landing on the swingarm.

Wondering if anyone else has had the same problem. It seems to have just started. Im wondering if Winter is the cause. It drops below freezing here at night. I guess the seals are gone. What are my options?
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 01:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Options:

1. Buy new unit from Dealer.
2. Repair unit you have.
3. Buy used one on eBay or the Bad Web classified.
4. Upgrade by repairing and re-valving your existing shock by specialist.
5. Upgrade by going to Penske, Ohlins or other quality shock.

The most economical way is 3. There are a fair number of good used shocks around. Problem is, the stock shock is a very ordinary part.

The best way of course, is number 5, and the most expensive.

Number 4. If you can find one, a repair and upgrade by a suspension specialist is a reasonable compromise. This allows better shock action, and selection of a spring based on your own weight.

If you combine this with a service/upgrade to your front forks, and if you take the time to properly adjust them, you may find yourself mounted on a rather more willing steed all together.

Just my . 02ยข
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Jos51700
Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 02:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You might verify and make sure it's from the shock. I've seen rear cylinder breathers leak (There is an updated seal, the hose can come off, the plastic can crack, etc) or other rear cylinder leaks, and the fan pulls the oil off and blows it on the shock.

The cheapest way out is too diagnose the leak first....Is the bike handling OK?
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Paul_in_japan
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 03:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Jos, you might be onto something there. My bike handles fine but hasnt been running well since the dealer gave it a going over in late December. The bike runs much hotter especially on idle (glowing headers). At the top end the bike runs fine but down low it seems to be less smooth than it used to be, the idle still not that steady. Im wondering if he ever fixed the intake leak that he said he did, or whether he has done the TPS correctly. I was worried about the effect of the super hot headers. Maybe the breathers have cracked. Ill have to check it out. Thanks for your help.
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Jos51700
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 10:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The glowing headers is semi-normal. Most glow at night, but not in the daylight. If they did the intake seals, or at least attempted to, it's very likely they didn't reassembly the breather properly, route the hose correctly, etc.

Diagnosis is always cheaper that repairing the wring thing. If the shock IS leaking, you're bike will start bouncing excessively, and sag considerably when you sit on it. For me, it's odd because I've not seen a rear shock fail on an XB (I'm sure they have, but it's not super common, like the tubers).
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Jabooty
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 09:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i have an 06 XB12S with 9k miles. i just recently started to notice some oil leaking down the shaft of the rear shock. i wiped it off and took it for a ride. again the oil is there. probably a bad shock seal. it's dry everywhere else except for the shaft. it may still be covered under warranty. i'll be taking it to the dealer soon.
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Jos51700
Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 06:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What are the stoppie and wheelie history on these bikes?
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Glitch
Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 07:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If your rear shock is leaking oil, it's dead.
The rear shock is gas filled, so if there's enough of a gap to let the oil out, the gas inside is long gone.
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Sslowmo
Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 07:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

so up from .80mm(stock) to a .95mm spring rate. per-load set at 7 lines showing and the rebound and compression turned one out from hard. also new set of Corsa's. Wow is all I can say. I had a lot of brake dive with the factory set up/setting's I was running. and those new one's are working. sucks up the little stuff good but the bigger bumps are of course there. the lack of brake dive improves trail braking. and just out right braking. easy run as to bad weather. I got snowed on for a little while. nothing was sticking. turning is easer I think. could be new tires. well anyway's the new set up is working well. the settings I'm running now is what the suspension guy thought they should be. oh and i weigh 180...on most days.

later,
Aaron
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Tailspining
Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 03:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Wow, I just posted about a leaking rear shock. Found it this morning. 2005 XB9R with 15,000 miles ... garage kept. $265.00 for a new OEM assembly.

Stuff happens.
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Ccryder
Posted on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 03:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Are you under warranty still? Even if not, it won't hurt to try. Buell has sometimes smiled on us Riders even after warranty.

Neil S.
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