Duh! of the day: Figured out why I can't fix my preload adjuster.

[KCJones99]

New (to me) 2004 ST1300. Checked preload and it was all the way low. I'm a big guy so went to turn it up to 'normal'. It turns and turns with no resistance at all.

So ran out, got jack oil, unhooked it, opened it up... Seems pretty full, but flushed & refilled it anyway. Bled it at the banjo a couple times - no air coming out.

Reinstall and... No resistance at all at any level.

Figured I better start checking for leaks - look at other end of the hose. Popped off right cover to find... Wilbers 640 shock. Other end of the preloader hose banjo just hanging there disattached.

DUH! Maybe shoulda looked at that first.

Edit: To clarify, wilburs 640 has on-board preload adjustment, doesn't use the honda hydraulic one.

 

[JetRanger]

New (to me) 2004 ST1300. Checked preload and it was all the way low. I'm a big guy so went to turn it up to 'normal'. It turns and turns with no resistance at all.

So ran out, got jack oil, unhooked it, opened it up... Seems pretty full, but flushed & refilled it anyway. Bled it at the banjo a couple times - no air coming out.

Reinstall and... No resistance at all at any level.

Figured I better start checking for leaks - look at other end of the hose. Popped off right cover to find... Wilbers 640 shock. Other end of the preloader hose banjo just hanging there disattached.

DUH! Maybe shoulda looked at that first.

Now I'll have to take a closer look at mine...

 

[motornut]

But the knob looks cool and gives you something to turn for an adjustment.

 

[KCJones99]

But the knob looks cool and gives you something to turn for an adjustment.

The funniest part is while doing all that I pulled off the knob, cleaned everything out, lubed up the spring and ball-bearing... so it 'clicks' every 1/2 turn just beautifully now. Does nothing, but it's a lovely clicky sensation to turn it.

 

[Terminator2]

Nice one. I usually turn my head 2.5 turns before analyzing any situation. heh

 

[STRider]

New (to me) 2004 ST1300. Checked preload and it was all the way low. I'm a big guy so went to turn it up to 'normal'. It turns and turns with no resistance at all.

So ran out, got jack oil, unhooked it, opened it up... Seems pretty full, but flushed & refilled it anyway. Bled it at the banjo a couple times - no air coming out.

Reinstall and... No resistance at all at any level.

Figured I better start checking for leaks - look at other end of the hose. Popped off right cover to find... Wilbers 640 shock. Other end of the preloader hose banjo just hanging there disattached.

DUH! Maybe shoulda looked at that first.

Edit: To clarify, wilburs 640 has on-board preload adjustment, doesn't use the honda hydraulic one.

Where did all the jack oil go then??

 

[KCJones99]

Where did all the jack oil go then??

Nowhere. The line from the adjuster to the shock was likely already empty, so it just went into the line. Not that much goes into the adjuster. Have since used my vacuum-extractor to get it all out.