Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

[MotoBlizzard]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

Wheel alignment?

Wheel has nothing to do with this.

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

The length from the pivot bolt to the end of the swingarm is not the same on both sides. What do you make of that?

Out of whack rear wheel alignment, get it adjusted so that both sides are of equal measurement.

Cheers!
VJ

[Shashank K R]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

Out of whack rear wheel alignment, get it adjusted so that both sides are of equal measurement.

Cheers!
VJ

Exactly what I thought. I'm currently struggling with wheel alignment on my bike for which I've ordered a chain alignment tool.

The length from the pivot bolt to the end of the swingarm is not the same on both sides. What do you make of that?

This usually means that the rear wheel isn't aligned properly.

But, [MENTION=39214]B7ACKTHORN[/MENTION], if the wheel alignment is not correct, how is it that people aren't reporting any wobbling or instability according to [MENTION=86109]MotoBlizzard[/MENTION]?

[Shashank K R]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

because no one has complained, Suzuki does not want to take action.

Also the front end alignment (the gap between the handlebar and the tank are not the same on both sides, and sometimes the bike pulls to one side) is off on many gixxers.

[ashwanth.r]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

Exactly what I thought. I'm currently struggling with wheel alignment on my bike for which I've ordered a chain alignment tool.
This usually means that the rear wheel isn't aligned properly.
But, @B7ACKTHORN, if the wheel alignment is not correct, how is it that people aren't reporting any wobbling or instability according to @MotoBlizzard?

By wheel alignment, are you guys referring to the mismatch between chain slack adjusters on LHS and RHS? If so, it won't cause such a big deviation to the naked eye. Either the swingarm is not aligned (like one of the bushes worn out) or the fender is not aligned. He says didn't have any control issues/pulling/wobbling, etc - so mostly won't be the swingarm.

Shashank, if you have not yet paid for that tool, cancel it. You can align the adjusters using a steel ruler (if the axle nut washers on both sides are of same diameter).

[Shashank K R]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

Shashank, if you have not yet paid for that tool, cancel it. You can align the adjusters using a steel ruler (if the axle nut washers on both sides are of same diameter).

I've tried it, it didn't work well. The bolt and the nut are of different diameters. I even tried the string method, but it wasn't so accurate and was a hassle.

Also the markings provide a reference, but they're not entirely accurate as I've seen before.

MotoBlizzard has observed that the distance between the swingarm pivot and the end of the swingarm isn't the same on both sides. This usually indicates that the wheel alignment is off. But there are no instability issues, so it's really a strange issue.

[ashwanth.r]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

I've tried it, it didn't work well. The bolt and the nut are of different diameters. I even tried the string method, but it wasn't so accurate and was a hassle. Also the markings provide a reference, but they're not entirely accurate as I've seen before. MotoBlizzard has observed that the distance between the swingarm pivot and the end of the swingarm isn't the same on both sides. This usually indicates that the wheel alignment is off. But there are no instability issues, so it's really a strange issue.

Not the axle nut and bolt themselves - their washers. Saw the parts catalogue - they are the same. String method is impossible for me (gusty, open parking). Do you have a link for that tool ?

[MotoBlizzard]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

Out of whack rear wheel alignment, get it adjusted so that both sides are of equal measurement.

Cheers!
VJ

This usually means that the rear wheel isn't aligned properly.

But, @B7ACKTHORN, if the wheel alignment is not correct, how is it that people aren't reporting any wobbling or instability according to @MotoBlizzard?

Let me clarify, I have the rear wheel completely removed.

Now in this state, the length between the pivot bolt and the swingarms on both sides is not equal. Swingarm isnt bent

Like I already mentioned, wheel alignment is not the problem here. I have no instability issues or lateral pull issues.

Explain this now please.

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

Let me clarify, I have the rear wheel completely removed.

Now in this state, the length between the pivot bolt and the swingarms on both sides is not equal. Swingarm isnt bent

Like I already mentioned, wheel alignment is not the problem here. I have no instability issues or lateral pull issues.

Explain this now please.

Like I said, a perfectly aligned chain tensioners should make the wheel center with the countershaft, and shouldn't be off track. Try readjusting your adjusters, i.e. measure both the sides of the swingarm from the pivot bolt, and see which has the highest measurement,and now loosen both the chain adjusters and loosen the adjuster on the side with the lowest measurement fully. Now, one turn at a time, by keeping an eye on the other side with the highest measurement, slowly adjust them till they are both aligned and once they are aligned tighten the rear axle bolt and check the measurement again. If still you observe mild alignment issue with the wheel to the tail section, it's the tail section that's out of whack, manufacturing tolerances.

But, @B7ACKTHORN, if the wheel alignment is not correct, how is it that people aren't reporting any wobbling or instability according to @MotoBlizzard?

Sometimes it's not the wheel itself, plastic items manufactured by the supplier, though they fit well, there might be slight difference in the same item's fit and finish on another bike. Usually chains are to be adjusted at both the sides. Not one side. If you observe, most local mechanics, loosen the main axle, just tighten the adjuster where sprocket is, and tighten the bolt, this sends the rear wheel out of alignment this / instead of this | and when the motorcycle continues to run this way, the chain stretches and wears unevenly and when you try to align right,they just wouldn't align right, as they are already worn in unevenly. I hope you got what I am trying to explain here.

Cheers!
VJ

[Gixxer_SS]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread



I have redrawn the pic with rectangles as we can't take the body panels as point of reference. It seems the chassis is properly aligned. As you have mentioned there is no issue with the ride of the bike. I feel it is tail light section, seat and mudguard which is not aligned with the chassis. If the body panels are properly fastened then its the errors of bolt holes placement(or where and how the panels are attached to chassis frame).

For my bike also the rear end is slightly misaligned but not as extreme as your case. My front fairing is clearly misaligned to right hand side. The rod which holds the front fairing is welded slightly right of the main frame.

These issues don't affect the handling and ride but company as reputed as Suzuki should bump up their manufacturing quality.

The way forward i feel is to claim warranty with Suzuki as i don't think it can be adjusted or can you try removing the body panels and fasten them again?

[MotoBlizzard]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

I feel it is tail light section, seat and mudguard which is not aligned with the chassis. If the body panels are properly fastened then its the errors of bolt holes placement(or where and how the panels are attached to chassis frame). Bolt holes on the chassis definitely seem to be the culprit

My front fairing is clearly misaligned to right hand side. The rod which holds the front fairing is welded slightly right of the main frame. Exactly correct here. Its not properly welded, when I showed this to the regional manager, he said theres nothing he can do about it. He dint even want to write a report to send it to the technical team.

These issues don't affect the handling and ride but company as reputed as Suzuki should bump up their manufacturing quality.

The way forward i feel is to claim warranty with Suzuki as i don't think it can be adjusted or can you try removing the body panels and fasten them again?

Atlast, someone is in agreement with me here.

Warranty cannot be claimed here as they are not even ready to take the issue into consideration. If more Gixxer owners take note of these misalignments and report it to Suzuki, maybe that will knock them in the head.

[Gixxer_SS]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

Atlast, someone is in agreement with me here.

Warranty cannot be claimed here as they are not even ready to take the issue into consideration. If more Gixxer owners take note of these misalignments and report it to Suzuki, maybe that will knock them in the head.

Yes we should definitely gang up and take this up with Suzuki. These are design issues which only Suzuki can take care of not the dealers or Service centers. Suzuki needs to revise their assembly process. What are their point of reference for fittings and their allowable tolerance range for fittings? If you can visually make out misalignment than its not good enough. Everything should be visually aligned and panel gaps also consistent.

Requesting other Gixxer SF owners to observe their front fairing and rear tail/mudguard assembly. If they notice misalignment please report here. We will make a combined request to Suzuki to revise their processes. After all we want whats best for us as well as Suzuki!

[MotoBlizzard]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

@Gixxer_SS

I have already registered another complaint with Suzuki via Customer Support. I stated that the Service center and the Regional Manager have refused to provide any solutions.

Would request you and all other owners who identify these issues in their Gixxers to call up Suzuki Customer care and file a complaint directly. Dont message them.

[Shashank K R]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

Atlast, someone is in agreement with me here.

Warranty cannot be claimed here as they are not even ready to take the issue into consideration. If more Gixxer owners take note of these misalignments and report it to Suzuki, maybe that will knock them in the head.

I had complained regarding the handlebar alignment issue which I mentioned, but even then the response from Suzuki was that it is normal. Perhaps we can include this well? I've seen this in plenty of gixxers.

Not the axle nut and bolt themselves - their washers. Saw the parts catalogue - they are the same. String method is impossible for me (gusty, open parking). Do you have a link for that tool ?

Yea this method has some error (mostly parallax) too. I tried this, and it started wobbling more.

This is the tool - https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0048. I've asked a friend to get it from Canada.

[ashwanth.r]

Re: Suzuki Gixxer SF : Ownership thread

I had complained regarding the handlebar alignment issue which I mentioned, but even then the response from Suzuki was that it is normal. Perhaps we can include this well? I've seen this in plenty of gixxers.




Yea this method has some error (mostly parallax) too. I tried this, and it started wobbling more.

This is the tool - https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0048. I've asked a friend to get it from Canada.

Thank you for the link. When I took my 2nd hand Eterno for its service few years back - the SA told me the scooter had "stance". I didn't know what that was and he explained how the rear "bonnet" was slightly deviated. He told me it happens commonly after an accident/fall. The vehicle tracked okay so we didnt do anything about it. Most of the chassis today is welded using robots. I wonder what parts they do manually - may be those pipes that hold the silencer. Is the Gixxer issue present in non-accident/new vehicles as well? One should try messaging Suzuki, Japan too - Gixxer is exported there. Jap division wont take it lightly. Navigating their site wont be easy, but I am going to give it a try.