ScaredyCat
Expert Class
Posts: 201
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posted July 10, 2003 07:22 AM
Suspension linkage greasing - which/how?
Damn, picked up a nail in my rear tyre - time for a burnout!
Going for a michelin pilot sport next time, apparently longer lasting, and I've still got 1/2" chicken strips on this D208, so should be safe enough.... famous last words when hitting a sweeping bend at 140. Eek.
OK - back to the title of the post - I've seen that the suspension linkage points (zirks???) are dry, except whatever tiny amount of lube Kawasaki put in there. So I want to get some grease in them - I had a ZZR1100 and when I finally found out about the need to grease them they were fucked because they're not full of grease when new and the dealers don't do it as part of the service (unless you've got an exceptional dealer).
Anyway, the ZZR took molybdenum disulphide grease in the linkages - is it still the same for the 12? And does anyone know what size of grease gun nozzle I need to fit the "zirks"?
Also, when I greased the ZZR, I got a kinda bad feeling when I squeezed the gun like hell until suddenly there was a spurt of grease from the sides of the linkage, like a rubber seal had popped or something. Is the grease supposed to squeeze out the sides of the bushing?
Not a particularly interesting subject I admit, but I only want the best for my baby from the start....
;->
Zirks are called grease nipples in the UK btw.
I heard the steering head bearings are lubed pretty sparsely from the factory too, but haven't checked yet.
And for the guys who replied to my worries about the ticking noise from the top end during run-in, it's now completely gone, only to be replaced with my screaming.
Scaredy by name....
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If it ain't broke, BREAK IT.
    
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted July 10, 2003 07:52 AM
Yes, it's the same grease
Standard size
Yes it can squeeze out, no worries.
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It's a free country brother
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ScaredyCat
Expert Class
Posts: 201
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posted July 10, 2003 08:36 AM
Phew...
Thanks Otis, that makes me feel a lot better.
But what is "standard size" in the U.S. - I know that using car size nozzles on my bike before ended up with the thing springing off and covering me with black shit - do I need to buy a metric nozzle?
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If it ain't broke, BREAK IT.
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted July 10, 2003 07:47 PM
I use the same grease gun I use at work to grease the various machinary. The "standard" fitting should work just fine. I use Exxon RONEX MP for my machinary, Wells Cargo trailer bearings and the supension on my 12R and KDX.
If I'm tearing everything down and repacking, then I use Silkolene Pro RF. I also use the Pro RF on my axles, wheel and head bearings.
As for a new rear tire, you might want to consider switching from a 200/50 to a 180/55. The improvement in the bike's handling will really surprise you.
Also, it might be kinda expensive the first time, but if you plan on switching brands of tires on back, you really need to switch the front to the same brand as well. Even if the front doesn't look that worn. You can always keep the old front tire for a "just in case of an emergency" spare.
Last, you'll probably want to reset your sag and tweak your suspension settings a little after you put the new tires on. Even though the numbers on the sidewall might be the same (as in tire size), no two brands are exactly the same size, thus your ride height and sag will likely change as well. If you don't at least check the supension settings and measurements, you might not like the change and you'll probably not be able to take advantage of all the new tire brand can offer you in the way of better handling.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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ScaredyCat
Expert Class
Posts: 201
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posted July 12, 2003 06:35 AM
Thanks for the info guys.
I got round to doing the job tonight, and as expected I displaced a bit of water from the empty bearings. Also sussed out that if you inject slowly, the air/water that's in there just bleeds out slowly - probably last time I was pumping too hard and burst something.
I feel a lot better knowing that my linkages are full of slippery stuff.
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If it ain't broke, BREAK IT.
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