Failing bushings?

bnschroder

2014 Super Tenere ES
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Nov 17, 2014
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Atlanta
My front suspension isn’t smooth anymore. 2014 ES, 35k Miles, recently changes fork oil. Especially at slower speeds it appears harsh and shaky, but irregularly, so unlikely a cupped tire. Also not noticeable at acceleration when the load is off the front. Tire and wheel have no irregular wear or bump and steering head has no play.
Thoughts? Could it be worn bushings?


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RCinNC

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When you changed the fork oil, did you pump the damper rod to distribute the oil and then give the oil time to settle before you measured the air gap in the shock? The air gap is supposed to be 150mm; if there was some air trapped in the damper rod that settled out after you measured the air gap, the air gap wouldn't be in spec. I don't know if an incorrect air gap would account for what you're experiencing, but it might.
 

~TABASCO~

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I have found that the Tenere is hard on bushings. This is not to suggest there is anything wrong with yours. They tend to be a wear item on the Tenere and I always change them along with seals each time I have a set of Tenere forks torn down for regular maintenance. Next time you have the tubes pulled down pull the upper and lower guides and inspect the coating. Any uneven wear, or the grey coating wiped off, you should replace (all).

Just a few quick ideas.

Like the other gentleman suggested. To little or to much oil?

When you unloaded the preload and rebound, were they then set back to your previous settings?

Possible oil weight way off?
 

bnschroder

2014 Super Tenere ES
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Nov 17, 2014
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Atlanta
Fork oil was definitely the right weight based on reading multiple sources on what equates to Yamaha's fork-oil naming convention. I drained the forks over several days, pumped many times, and filled with the spec amount, but didn't tear it down fully to be able to measure the air gap, so it could be a little more oil if even after all the draining there was still some left in the forks.
But I did actually change the fork oil because I thought the forks had lost some of its smoothness.
 

jrusell

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I would not worry about a little difference in oil height. If you were way off it might affect the air spring, but only near full compression and would have not noticeable affect in everyday riding. Most certainly could be a bad bushing.

A friend dropped off a set of forks last week to get looked at. He had issues last year at a trackway where the forks were harsh and he was not getting smooth operation. Sticky feeling, hard to compress were his comments. I said I would take them apart and have a look for him.
After about 20 seconds I knew I would see something interesting when I got them apart.
Here is a short clip I took before disassembly. The only way to describe them was disgusting.

Turned out to be only one bad bushing. The bushing pressed into the outer was fine, the slider/bushing on the chrome tube was a disaster. Lots of deep gouges and the amount of bushing material that came out with the oil was massive.
I am also pretty sure they had been filled with engine oil, not fork oil. It was an ugly set of forks.

Pick up some bushings and strip them down if in doubt.
 

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Cycledude

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Over full fork oil is very bad idea, that’s why they recommend measuring it after it’s filled.
I would highly prefer a little low.
 
B

ballisticexchris

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I'm with TABASCO. A simple way to check your bushings is to remove the front wheel and rock the bottom of each fork leg to check for play. there should be no play at all. At 35K I'm pretty certain that the bushings are shot. Also check the steering head bearings and service it while you have the forks out for bushing replacement.
 
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