Super Tenere 2013 front suspension issue??

[Jsbedard1977]

Hi!

I was trying to adjust the front suspension following the owner's manual instruction today. I noticed couple of issues while trying to do it

1. First, even when turning the adjustment screw with screwdriver, the center piece never move up or down, it always stays at "3 lines", but i can hear the clicks when adjusting clockwise or counter-clockwise. Any idea what's wrong? (check picture attached)
2. When pressing and testing suspension on the front fork, i hear a strong noise that comes from the upper part of the suspension assembly. I fear it is bearing issue or something else (check video
   )

But when riding the bike, front suspension bounces a lot on tarmac and hard surface like if suspension was too hard.

Thanks

 

[Squibb]

I think there may be some misunderstanding: -

1. Pre-load - altered by the hex adjuster, which moves up/down as indicated by the datum lines.

2. Damping - the two screw adjusters, which should just click slightly, not move in/out; top of the forks for rebound, behind the lower fork leg for compression.

Just a suggestion - take everything back to the Yamaha recommended settings & work from there. Personally I run my bikes on the soft side, but I often find other riders have set there bikes up hard, almost race track hard, which doesn't work for me on the S10.

BTW, you don't mention mileage here - the forks may be due a service. The noise you can hear when exercising the suspension is probably the brake pads & floating discs - get someone else to do the honours while you check more closely.

 

[Boris]

As Mr Squibb said!

However that clicking/knocking sound in your video does sound excessive, although very difficult to diagnose via a video. Have you tried, bike on the centre stand and getting the front in the air, perhaps someone pushing down on the rear or jacking up a little under the skid plate, then getting the steering central, grab hold of the bottom of the forks and giving a firm yank back and forward to see if any play? While in the air, check the steering moves left and right smoothly and without notchiness. With these checks you could eliminate or suspect head bearings to be of concern.

 

[Jsbedard1977]

I think there may be some misunderstanding: -

1. Pre-load - altered by the hex adjuster, which moves up/down as indicated by the datum lines.

2. Damping - the two screw adjusters, which should just click slightly, not move in/out; top of the forks for rebound, behind the lower fork leg for compression.

Just a suggestion - take everything back to the Yamaha recommended settings & work from there. Personally I run my bikes on the soft side, but I often find other riders have set there bikes up hard, almost race track hard, which doesn't work for me on the S10.

BTW, you don't mention mileage here - the forks may be due a service. The noise you can hear when exercising the suspension is probably the brake pads & floating discs - get someone else to do the honours while you check more closely.

Thanks for the help! i was able to adjust it properly with hex wrench! For the milage, bike as 74000 KM. I don't think it is brake pad, sound come really from the upper part of the fork close to the steering.

 

[Jsbedard1977]

As Mr Squibb said!

However that clicking/knocking sound in your video does sound excessive, although very difficult to diagnose via a video. Have you tried, bike on the centre stand and getting the front in the air, perhaps someone pushing down on the rear or jacking up a little under the skid plate, then getting the steering central, grab hold of the bottom of the forks and giving a firm yank back and forward to see if any play? While in the air, check the steering moves left and right smoothly and without notchiness. With these checks you could eliminate or suspect head bearings to be of concern.

I will try this thanks

 

[Squibb]

Thanks for the help! I was able to adjust it properly with hex wrench! For the mileage, bike as 74000 KM. I don't think it is brake pad, sound come really from the upper part of the fork close to the steering.

If it's not the brake pads, then it's most likely the steering head bearings, as Boris suggests. At 74k / 46k miles they could be at the point of needing replacement, but it's easy enough to check/lube/adjust & work from there.

 

[Jsbedard1977]

I jacked up the front of the bike yesterday to test the fork and check for "loose" bearing, and turned left and right.. No noise or loose detected, seems to be normal without play or anything. But next time i go at the garage I'll ask them to check for it, thanks

 

[Don in Lodi]

Is it possible to turn the dampener so far as to have something come loose inside?

 

[cyclemike4]

I am sure this is out in left field but it is possible because I have had this on my dirt bikes. the linkage on the rear shock could be worn or damaged. I could not see the back of the bike in the video but i have had clunking sounds similar to that on my dirt bikes doing the same thing you just did on the video. Only take a second to check that by putting on the center stand and seeing if the rear wheel moves up and down with out any resistance. If it does move even just a bit something is worn. It would have to be worn bad to make that noise though. Also it kind of sounds like a hose or something catching on the plastic body work. Good luck with the repairs. Hope all turns out to be good soon!