Bike sqeaking going over bumps

19-02-2018 7:00pm #1

My bike (gsxr) has recently started sqeaking really badly going over bumps , it sounds like it's coming from the rear. There's no loose bodywork or anything and the chain is only new.

Wondering what my options are here, is there anything common that would cause this? The last thing I want to be doing is taking the whole swingarm linkage apart to grease it. Anyone experienced this before . Doesn't even look like I can oil the shock without taking the wheel off

cantdecide · 19-02-2018 7:07pm

Felipe Curved Thriftiness wrote: »

The last thing I want to be doing is taking the whole swingarm linkage apart to grease it. Anyone experienced this before . Doesn't even look like I can oil the shock without taking the wheel off

I was thinking the linkage myself and I'd consider it as it's routine maintenance. If it's not done at home, you need to have it checked at least by a pro.

Below is the detritus that came out of the linkage in my RSV Mille a few years ago...

punisher5112 · 19-02-2018 7:09pm

Spring/suspension.

All the grit and dirt from the roads doesn't help.

19-02-2018 7:16pm

cantdecide wrote: »

I was thinking the linkage myself and I'd consider it as it's routine maintenance. If it's not done at home, you need to have it checked at least by a pro.

Below is the detritus that came out of the linkage in my RSV Mille a few years ago...

How much was it for the rebuid kit?

Del2005 · 19-02-2018 9:12pm

Have you checked the chain for tight spots?

19-02-2018 9:19pm

Del2005 wrote: »

Have you checked the chain for tight spots?

No I was only thinking that, i'l check it tomorrow. Would be raging if there were because the chain is only new. Do you think a loose chain could cause sqeaking? It might be a tad loose but I didn't think that would cause a sqeak

Del2005 · 19-02-2018 9:26pm

Felipe Curved Thriftiness wrote: »

No I was only thinking that, i'l check it tomorrow. Would be raging if there were because the chain is only new. Do you think a loose chain could cause sqeaking? It might be a tad loose but I didn't think that would cause a sqeak

Loose would rattle, thigh will squeak. Did you set the chain up with someone sitting on the bike? What seems like a lot of slack could be taken up when sat on. Was the squeak there before the chain was replaced?

arybvtcw0eolkf · 19-02-2018 9:33pm

I'm thinking tight spot would be the easiest to rule out.

And after the last few weeks of road gritting if you're not on top cleaning the grit/salt off your chain it'll be destroyed in days (even a new chain).

millingmachine · 19-02-2018 9:41pm

suspension linkage

19-02-2018 9:58pm

Del2005 wrote: »

Loose would rattle, thigh will squeak. Did you set the chain up with someone sitting on the bike? What seems like a lot of slack could be taken up when sat on. Was the squeak there before the chain was replaced?

Did as per the manual which specified to be done with no one on the bike

No it wasn't but the chain has been on for 4 months I'd say and this has only happened last month and a half id say

zubair · 19-02-2018 10:20pm

Stop going over bumps! Sorted

Can you not tell what it is by bouncing the bike when parked?

19-02-2018 11:55pm

zubair wrote: »

Stop going over bumps! Sorted

Can you not tell what it is by bouncing the bike when parked?

Tried this and nothing, was hoping doing this would give an indication alright

Well it probably does that it's not the shock

zubair · 20-02-2018 12:42am

Felipe Curved Thriftiness wrote: »

Tried this and nothing, was hoping doing this would give an indication alright

Well it probably does that it's not the shock

Well then the bikes fine and you're actually squeaking over bumps.

20-02-2018 12:44am

zubair wrote: »

Well then the bikes fine and you're actually squeaking over bumps.

Thanks

CJhaughey · 20-02-2018 10:22am

It would probably make sense at this point to strip the swing arm and linkage and shock and see what is making noise if you can catch them in time the needle roller bearings may be serviceable. If they are bad then they will be affecting the suspension action and may even start to wear through the pivots which can be much more costly.
Grease is usually in short supply when they are assembled so it makes sense to strip, and fully grease with waterproof grease to make sure that they are fit for the summer.

20-02-2018 8:39pm

CJhaughey wrote: »

It would probably make sense at this point to strip the swing arm and linkage and shock and see what is making noise if you can catch them in time the needle roller bearings may be serviceable. If they are bad then they will be affecting the suspension action and may even start to wear through the pivots which can be much more costly.
Grease is usually in short supply when they are assembled so it makes sense to strip, and fully grease with waterproof grease to make sure that they are fit for the summer.

I think you are right, struggling online to find a linkage rebuild kit which I thought would be common

CJhaughey · 20-02-2018 8:55pm

Felipe Curved Thriftiness wrote: »

I think you are right, struggling online to find a linkage rebuild kit which I thought would be common

What year?
Have a look on CMSNL.com and you can find the sizes of the bearings and seals, then ring a bearing place Reliance etc and see if they have them, if they don't you can try some of the big UK places and they will definitely have them.
Failing that Suzuki genuine might be an option as well, they may not be as expensive from the dealer as you think.

zubair · 20-02-2018 9:02pm

Other than squeaking are there any other symptoms? It might just be general wear and tear and nothing to be too alarmed about.

CJhaughey · 20-02-2018 9:05pm

zubair wrote: »

Other than squeaking are there any other symptoms? It might just be general wear and tear and nothing to be too alarmed about.

Stuff shouldn't squeak though, it means there is a lack of lubrication which affects the function of the suspension as well, well lubed linkages and swingarms should be plush and smooth not squeaky and stiff.

zubair · 20-02-2018 9:13pm

CJhaughey wrote: »

Stuff shouldn't squeak though, it means there is a lack of lubrication which affects the function of the suspension as well, well lubed linkages and swingarms should be plush and smooth not squeaky and stiff.

Sure but I wouldn't strip the swingarm linkage and shock because of an unidentifiable squeak, motorbikes squeak whether they're supposed to or not.

cantdecide · 20-02-2018 9:16pm

Felipe Curved Thriftiness wrote: »

How much was it for the rebuid kit?

I checked back over my records and I paid just shy of £60 for six bearings, and six seals through SimplyBearings. They're universal bearings and seals but I have no idea if you'd be able to use them for your bike. I enjoyed doing the job. I recommend just trying to lube up the ones you have and go from there as it's a maintenance item regardless of whether they've failed on you.

I used a marine trailer grease and I was able to get some nylon shims to take slop out of the linkage too.

20-02-2018 9:38pm

zubair wrote: »

Sure but I wouldn't strip the swingarm linkage and shock because of an unidentifiable squeak, motorbikes squeak whether they're supposed to or not.

Yeah but the fact it's only just started and wasn't there before. I think I'll try deep clean and a bit of oil and if that fails take the swingarm off and try and get at the bushes with grease.

Wossack · 22-02-2018 2:46pm

zubair wrote: »

Sure but I wouldn't strip the swingarm linkage and shock because of an unidentifiable squeak, motorbikes squeak whether they're supposed to or not.

not mine

Bike sqeaking going over bumps

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