XR650R Upper Shock Mount

Ok, so last night when I was messing around with the bike I noticed something that kind of bothers me and I can't remember if it's supposed to be that way or not. I really don't want to tear down the bike, but safety and maintenance inspection may require it.

I like to work on my XR650R while its up on a hydraulic stand. The stand lifts it up just far enough I don't have to crawl around on the floor too much. But with the suspension fully extended, I noticed last night when I grabbed a hold of the shock I can move it around.

With the suspension not loaded and hanging there the top end of the shock moves around in the mounting about 3-5mm or about an eighth of an inch. It "jiggles" around in there and has me concerned. When I installed the shock I used my bushings, but don't remember this much slop.

So here is my question to XR owners: If you put your bike up on a stand, does the top of the shock wiggle around with the suspension unloaded?

griz901 wrote:

Ok, so last night when I was messing around with the bike I noticed something that kind of bothers me and I can't remember if it's supposed to be that way or not. I really don't want to tear down the bike, but safety and maintenance inspection may require it.

I like to work on my XR650R while its up on a hydraulic stand. The stand lifts it up just far enough I don't have to crawl around on the floor too much. But with the suspension fully extended, I noticed last night when I grabbed a hold of the shock I can move it around.

With the suspension not loaded and hanging there the top end of the shock moves around in the mounting about 3-5mm or about an eighth of an inch. It "jiggles" around in there and has me concerned. When I installed the shock I used my bushings, but don't remember this much slop.

So here is my question to XR owners: If you put your bike up on a stand, does the top of the shock wiggle around with the suspension unloaded?

That doesn't seem right to me....Sorry I don't have a XRR to look at to verify but I would think that would warrant removing the shock and taking a close look at it for wear, damage ect. Don't want to find any damage there out on the trail!

Hodakaguy

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That doesn't seem right to me....Sorry I don't have a XRR to look at to verify but I would think that would warrant removing the shock and taking a close look at it for wear, damage ect. Don't want to find any damage there out on the trail!

Hodakaguy[/quote]

Well, common sense prevails... I guess I just needed to hear it from someone else.

If you grab the nitrogen bottle, you should be able to turn it slightly from side to side, but if it moves up and down the bolts or bushings or both are worn out. For some reason on the hondas, it seems like it's always the lower bushing that gets worn out.

XCR500Rider wrote:

If you grab the nitrogen bottle, you should be able to turn it slightly from side to side, but if it moves up and down the bolts or bushings or both are worn out. For some reason on the hondas, it seems like it's always the lower bushing that gets worn out.

Yep, side to side (up and down is under spring tension on the shock). Never noticed that but I guess I need to get in there anyway. I'll check it out in detail when I set sag for luggage/camping gear. I'll have access to everything when I tilt the subframe back to get at the shock.

Thanks Guys!