rear shock bush

**miles murray** · #1 24 May 2004

I'm mid-trip (in malwi heading into northern mozambique any day now) on my 1997 620 LC4 and am I'm starting to get some play in the bush at the bottom of my rear shock (the one with the grease nipple). If I continue to ride it like this will it cause any permanent damage or will it just continue to clank away happily for another 4000km? If I was to get a spare bush sent out is it something I could change on the road or will I have to wait until a decent workshop in Nairobi or Dar?

thanks

miles

ps any ideas why the bike might be back-firing? Usually happens if the bike has been running for a while and I let off the throttle quickly.

**LordStig** · #2 24 May 2004

As you suspect, any play will accelerate wear - it's called attrition in geology; the difference nice constant pressure and being repeatedly hit.....

It could be that permanent damage will occur, though that depends on whether the wear is in the replacement parts (e.g., bushes) or between those parts and the bike. Is there any way you might be able to squeeze some more grease in through the nipple? It might slow the wear up a bit, long enough to get to a better workshop.

Either way, I'm sure any damage will be repairable, but I would get a set sent out and do it yourself; if there is play, the old one won't be too difficult to get out. If you can't do it you might still be able to take it to someone who can, so don't panic!

The backfire sounds like air getting in either on the inlet side (usually mounting rubbers, sometimes a loose hose on a vacuum connection or similar (I don't know what the system is on your bike) or exhaust side. Check these before looking elsewhere.

Good luck,

Stig

**Jerome** · #3 25 May 2004

I agree with getting it fixed soon:

- it may be a pain to fix now but that may be nothing compared to more damage later.

re backfire:

- do you have a standard exhaust?

If so i agree to check for leaks etc.

- if its not standard, has it always done it?

i have a Akcro system and mine does it all the time. i am not worried.

------------------
Jerome

http://www.fowb.co.uk

**miles murray** · #4 14 Jun 2004

thanks for your help guys - I used to read the treads from my desk and that was interesting but its been great to have some-one to turn to when I really needed it - thanks again.
As for the bush - I squeezed some more grease in as you suggested Stig and that seems to have helped got me to a major city at least and I will now order a new set and get them fitted. The back-firing continues but your comments about leaks seemed to make sense - and therefore calmed my nerves - the automatic valve-lifter/decompression is a bit sticky and will sometimes and will sometimes 'clack' when I'm idling so I'm guessing its the sameting at speed that is causing the back fire.
thanks again
miles
15,000km on African dirt and this is the worst that's happened to the 620 - you got to love these KTM's