1000XT No Grease in Rear Linkage

[Paul Dowe]

Hello Bought new 1000 XT covered 800 dry miles, with time off over xmas thought would check the rear suspension linkage took apart and was totally shocked no grease what so ever, only a very light oil. The bolts and bush that the needles sit on were totally dry. Have now totally packed with silkolene RG2 red race grease.
Did not remove swing arm due to exhaust going through, but there are 4 to do on linkages as the rear shock has needle bearings at the bottom of the shock mount. This was common on new RM250 in the early 1990s you had to do from new before riding. So would suggest you do yours before its too late this will need doing often as they are not even got seals at the ends of linkages like motocross bikes do. Easy to do if you have main stand just remove rear wheel, you will need a breaker bar because the nuts are major tight to undo. Any one else checked theirs on a new bike, would love to hear from you.

[old git]

 

I did the rear linkages on my 2016 DL1000 for the first time recently with just under 15k on the bike. All the bearings weren't dry but one of the bolts was showing signs of corrosion and if left much longer would likely have begun to seize. Compared to my FJR1300 the procedure for stripping and regreasing the linkages is very straight forward. I'll now check the linkages every 2nd tyre change (around 6-7k). This was something that was often neglected on FJR's due to dealers (and owners) ignoring it, no doubt due to time and cost. In very extreme cases the linkage would completely seize and dog bones would snap. The implications of rear suspension collapsing are obvious.

[mr_diver]

It's not uncommon for manufacturers to not grease certain things.
The 700 Deauville were known for no grease on the rear wheel/hub drive splines.

Many of them were beyond use before the first tyre change. 6-8k miles.

My dad's one had a little grease but not the amount you would expect.

Great heads up to to others 

[porter]

I done my 14 Veek at the first tyre change, there wasn't much grease about but enough, maybe Suzuki have saved a few pence on the newer models!
By the way you can undo the swingarm pivot, pull the arm back, turn it side to side and grease the two bearings without removing the exhaust system, it's tight but do able..  You might want to do the streering head bearings too.

[Brockett]

Yes, a great heads up on this issue. But all the same it's still bloody shameful.

[Joe Rocket]

Not a suspension complaint but my Glee chain was unlubricated. OK, a much easier item to spot and simpler to address but you'd think the new bike leaves the showroom with the basics attended to, would you not? 

[mr_diver]

You'd be suprised what is missed when vehicles are assembled/PDI'd.

I've seen bikes leave with no number plates, wrong number plates.
Missing screens.
One exhaust on a Busa when there should be two.
Bald tyre on a used bike- "IF the customer notices it we'll do him a deal on a new one"

A mate even got given the wrong car, same model and colour but the wrong reg for the VIN. He was literally driving someone else's car with his own reg on it brand new from the dealers.

[bako]

Thanks for the heads up, might account for the clunking noise on my 2017 Vee.
As a side note, changed the fork oil in mine. in an attempt to sort the erratic bouncing. Each fork had completely different oil levles, and the oil was like treacle after 15000 miles.