Short description.

Handling is poor. Any slight elevation throws the bike offline and into wobble mode. All bearings are ok, wheels arent giving any lateral movement. Same with the swingarm. Nothing untoward on the stock either.

However, grabbing the back wheel and pulling vertically there is play, to me that would suggest suspension bushings but the service manual doesnt show any. The guy that does my tyres runs a British Superstock Team (Privateer) and has always run Honda CBRs. He said all Hondas have that much play at the rear. If I take his word as gospel, I have little idea what could be causing the bad handling.

I personally think the spring, or shock, or both are knackered. Can anyone shed any light, or maybe had this problem in the past?

P.S. When I go over a speed bump, the rear clunks as the spring (I presume its that) compresses. This happens at all speed.

 

If you were to sit on the bike, taking the wieght with your legs, and bounce up and down, what do you feel and hear?

 

You get no noise from bouncing. To be more specific, the clunk happens on the rebound action. Its on iron covers in the road, where its quite a sharp jolt if you know what I mean.

I took the panels and wheel off yesterday and the only noticable thing was the vertical play on the swingarm.

Sorry to be vague, but I have tried everything to recreate the noise while stationary to no avail.

 

Have a good look at the damper linkage and pull it about, if poss with someone sitting on the bike and see what happens. If you have your bike up on the center stand when you lift the swingarm there will be a bit of play until the chain take up tension. Also check the damper settings as this can put things out as well.

 

The damper screw will only rotate 1/2 a turn so maybe that is the problem.

 

What setting is the damper screw on at the moment?

 

I'll have to get back to u on that one, in work atm.

 

If you check your service manual it will let you know what the settings are for. But you may have to take the damper out to check for possible leaks or spring damage as a bit may have chipped off one of the ends, etc. Will look for your answer later. All the best.

 

Thanks for the help m8. Appreciated.

 

Dont forget that bush on top of the shock is prone to wear.