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Old 03-24-2010, 02:51 PM   #1
06nad   06nad is offline
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Went for a 600 mile ride on Sunday (2 up) to Roanoke VA and back, no problems at all. Rained Monday and Tuesday, no riding. My Phat II Risers came in this morning, I put them on and went for a test ride. Rode about five miles, went to stop, and had very little to almost no rear brake (scared the snot out of me). I pulled over and noticed oil all over the rear break rotor and rim. Smelled it, and it doesn't smell like brake fluid, smells more like that light oil you use on hair clippers and such. I'm thinking it's the shock on the brake line side. Felt the bottom of the shock where it's attached to the bike and it's wet with oil.

Question 1: Is it my shock?

Question 2: I bought my 06 1600 in February with 5,100 miles on it. It currently has 7,200 miles on it, should the shocks go bad this soon, and if so, why?

Question 3: I'm pretty handy with a wrench, just wondering how difficult is it to replace the shocks? Pretty sure I'll have to invest in a jack, but it appears to be simple enough to remove, only looks like two bolts holding them on.

Question 4: What are the best shocks to replace the stock ones with? I read somewhere on here that the Progressive Shocks are good. Which ones for my bike as I remember seeing several different types, and who has the best prices?

By the way, the risers feel darn near perfect and plenty of clearance on the nacelle. I pulled the gas tank and nacelle back prior to re-tightening them as the instructions suggest. I'm getting her ready for a ride to the Kentucky Derby on 4/30/10. With this unexpected outlay of cash, I may have to put off the white wall tire purchase...the Progressive Shocks are not cheap.

If anyone could point me in the right direction, I would certainly appreciate it.



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Old 03-24-2010, 05:40 PM   #2
ndbigfish   ndbigfish is offline
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Glad there was no accident. Shocks are easy to replace. I replaced the stock pneumatic shocks with shorter Progressive shocks and did not need a jack. I like the conventional shocks better. I was able to get a deal on some overstocked Progessive shocks. There have been other 1600 owners that have had shocks that leaked oil. They claimed them as a warranty item. Someone with a 1600 will be along shortly.....
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Old 03-24-2010, 05:54 PM   #3
06nad   06nad is offline
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Thanks for replying, I was starting to wonder if I had cooties or something. Maybe I should use the "search" function a little more. I would really like to know why shocks with only 7200 miles on them would leak?
 
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Old 03-24-2010, 06:18 PM   #4
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Dead shock. If you go with oem you will need to grease the upper mount's needle bearings and rubber lube the botton mount.

Do these as a set.

If you go progressive probably rubber lube both upper and lower mounts. Might not be needle bearings in after markets..

Change out one complete and then the other, and you won't need a lift. Start with the bad one first.

Why? Who knows it happens.

Do check the air inlet valve first..

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Old 03-24-2010, 06:54 PM   #5
06nad   06nad is offline
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Good news (maybe). I contacted Kawasaki and they stated the shock should be covered under the Good Times Warranty. I was told I need to contact my local dealership and see what they say. They're closed now, I'll give them a call in the morning and see what's up. Sure hope I don't have to dish out 250 bucks for OEM or almost $500 for the Progressives. I'm too old to ride balls to the wall, so stock is fine for me.

Thanks.



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Old 03-24-2010, 08:32 PM   #6
ringadingh   ringadingh is offline
 
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Someone else here just had both their shocks replaced under warranty a week or two ago because one was leaking.
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Old 03-24-2010, 09:17 PM   #7
ndbigfish   ndbigfish is offline
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One owner had one shock replaced and another owner had a couple of shocks replaced under warranty.
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Old 03-25-2010, 01:16 AM   #8
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Oil Leak

Be sure and let us know how it goes with the local dealer. My bike has 8,100 miles on it. I sure hope it isn't something I will have a problem with.
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Old 03-25-2010, 06:07 AM   #9
06nad   06nad is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlabamaNomadRider
Be sure and let us know how it goes with the local dealer. My bike has 8,100 miles on it. I sure hope it isn't something I will have a problem with.
Will do.
 
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Old 03-30-2010, 10:24 AM   #10
06nad   06nad is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlabamaNomadRider
Be sure and let us know how it goes with the local dealer. My bike has 8,100 miles on it. I sure hope it isn't something I will have a problem with.
Well, I finally got authorization from Kawasaki to replace the one leaking shock. I would have preferred they replace both, but I won't complain. The service manager said he hadn't heard of a chronic problem with the 1600 shocks going bad, but then again what does he know. Eventually I will go with the Progressive shocks, but for now I can put the $250+ toward WWW tires.
 
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Old 03-30-2010, 09:26 PM   #11
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Good news on the replacement.
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