Rear Shock gone flat???

[hip001]

Riding my bike I noticed that the rear seems harsh. I've worked the adjustment under the seat in and out with no resistance or ride change. I seem to recall something about adding oil to the rear shock? Or does the LT have suspension issues? Most of my riding is main roads that are somewhat smooth so this has not been very noticable but when I hit a chang in pavement or bad road I feel it in my molers!
FYI: 2000 K1200LT with 45k miles.

Thank you for any advice here!

Hip

[c00k1e]

Yep, top up the adjuster with jack oil before splashing out on a new shock. Makes the world of differance.
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8406&highlight=shock+adjuster

[hip001]

Cookie,
Thanks! I thought I read that before. I'll try this asap.

[Tom1200]

Will this also work on the Ohlins. I have searched but never found anyone who has done this with the ohlins?

[jackd]

I seem to recall something about adding oil to the rear shock? Or does the LT have suspension issues?

There can be oil added to the adjuster. That just repositions the spring to compensate for added weight on the bike to put the 'shock' in the normal sweet spot. It should do nothing for dampening. If you have stock shocks there is no adjustment for dampening..

If your getting a really hard ride you may have a frozen valve. I it were out of oil I would imagine it would be very bouncy and when you hit a bump the shock would go to the end and you better not be chewing something... or you will bite your tongue.. :eek: either way it's not good.

[rattler50]

My rear shock seemed to be very rough around 36K. It would bounce my mirror loose in the trunk when I hit some of the small bumps downtown. I bought a shock off an '05 LT on Ebay and installed it last week. It rides great now. It must have been bad for a long time. I don't remember it riding this good for a while now. And I gave $75 for the shock........... :)

[eljeffe]

Will this also work on the Ohlins. I have searched but never found anyone who has done this with the ohlins?

Ohlins can be rebuilt at a fraction of the cost of new ones.

[hip001]

Rattler,
Sounds like a great deal! I've not tried the adding oil service yet but hope to this weekend. I wish I had rode other K1200LT's before I bought this one so I'd have a reference. I still would of bought this one because of the deal I got.

[hip001]

Yep, top up the adjuster with jack oil before splashing out on a new shock. Makes the world of differance.
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8406&highlight=shock+adjuster

Thank you Cookie!
I did this yesterday before a 100mile ride and it sure seems like it did the trick! It only took aprox 10min! Not sure how much I added to it but it seemed almost empty! Now I have resistance in the knob like it did not have before!
Thank you for the tip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :dance:

[c00k1e]

This forum sure saves the money don't it?. I wonder how many people would fall for thinking a refill was a rebuild!

[hip001]

No kidding Cookie! I can hear them now- Mr Customer a $600 rebuild is what you need. It's much cheaper than a $1200 Ohlin(spelling?). And all it would be is adding 4oz of fluid and at the most 15min labor! Grab your ankles Mr Customer will that be cash or credit?

This site is AWESOME!

[hpschaaf]

I need to try this on my 2002 LT. But my problem seems to be that the adjuster won't move in either direction. Any advice what this could be?
It is screwed all the way in.

[GolfGuy]

I need to try this on my 2002 LT. But my problem seems to be that the adjuster won't move in either direction. Any advice what this could be?
It is screwed all the way in.

I am having the same problem on my '02 LT.

[c00k1e]

That adjuster can be tight, specially if you don't make use of it often. You do pull it upright first don't you? ;-)
I use both hands and get a good tight grip. It will budge and goes one notch at a time.

[hpschaaf]

Yes, I do pull it upright first. I will give it another try tonight with a little bit more force. I was just afraid I would brake something.

[zdgz]

I have never used the adjuster on my '03 LT and was wondering if I should?????? I'm heading off on a trip to nova Scotia in a couple of weeks and will have a full load and a 125pound passanger. will adjusting make for a better ride?

[hip001]

I think it's worth a look! I rode 800 miles on a 4 day trip with the darn thing stiff as a board. The 10min it took to do this fix sure seems to have made a huge difference! Wish I would of took the time before the trip!
Good luck!

[mark1rob]

Followed the instructions listed, this morning. Took me about 15 minutes. What a difference. Thanks.

[hip001]

Mark1rob,
Congrats! I'm so thankful for this forum! :dance:

[GlennM86]

Went out this evening to try to follow the directions found throughout this forum.

My problem is that the upright Shock Adjuster turns in both directions but nothing moves. It looks like it is sitting in the center of the adjustability. I turned it for 4 minutes in both directions and no movement.

Thoughts?