Tue, 9 Jun 1998 11:09:32 +0000 - Message No. 3358
From: "Harald Zell"

Subject: shockabsorber was: life time of springs


Dear Achim,

after a long trip to the USA (without AT) I took out my AT 
(RD04, 91) from its winter sleep 2 weeks ago (I didn't find 
the time to ride in winter). After a first check everything 
seemed to be ok. But after a first ride there was a large 
oil puddle under the main stand.

The rear suspension was leaking...

As Honda told me this is quite unusual after 42.000 km.
A repair is not possible (says Honda). They only exchange 
the complete rear suspension and not only the shock 
absorber. This is in my opinion very unusual. But I got a 
real shock when I heart about the price: about 1500,- for a 
new Honda (Showa) rear suspension.

So I asked my favorite motorcycle dealer who is doing all 
kind of repairs on all types of motorcycles (A real 
"Schrauber"),  if a repair of the shock absorber is 
possible:

I normally is, if you can order new sealings. But the 
diameter used in the AT is not available as a spare part.

So I ordered a simple Whitepower rear suspension. Simple 
in that way, because you can only adjust in one way (11 
fach einstellbare Druckstufe?) Price was only 799,- DM. But 
delivery time is about 1-2 weeks at the moment.

It was delivered together with a test report (TUeV 
Gutachten) but it is a little bit larger in diameter then 
the original one. So it is a bit tricky to get it in, but 
it fits well.

My first impression yesterday evening after mounting it was 
that it feels more hard or sportive with the adjustment it 
was delivered with, compared to the old original one (but 
that was damaged on my last ride!!)

Test report will follow after the long weekend....

Haraldxxx



atic@gmx.net