[Archive] [Q&A] SBF CB400 Official Q&A Thread 2008

[Advrider]

hmm ah pek, yes it's me yet again, the 'problematic' spec III rider. this time it's about my forks.

 

actually this is not a new issue. in early august (bike is 8mths old), i realised that my forks don't dampen the shock from the road as well as it used to. there were times when i ride on roads with lotsa markings, the bike (namely the front end) will vibrate like crazy cos of the 'bumps' on the road. this can literally give me a headache sometimes from all the vibration. even going over humps, i have to slow down a lot and even then i can feel the fork going in more than usual.

 

later, i went to K&T where i normally service my bike, for an oil change and decided to ask about this problem. the boss, i forgot, told me that i need only to adjust the 2 'blue screws' at the top of my forks. 'preload adjusters' are they called? i'm not too sure. anyways, he helped me to adjust the screws and from 2 visible grooves (meaning 3 sections of the screws left), to 1 visible groove (2 sections left). he then said that if the forks get soft again, just adjust the screws again til the last groove. after the last groove, then i need to change the oil. (or something like that).

 

i rode off and felt the front end feeling smooth and a lot less bumpy. almost stock feeling and no more strong vibrations. however, only about a week later, the softness came in again. so i adjusted the screws til the last available groove. this time it lasted less than a week before becoming soft. so i went to K&T again for a fork oil change.

 

i hoped that they put in thicker oil or something so it won't get saggy so fast. and so after the fork oil change, the screws were adjusted to the original position of 2 visible grooves (3 sections). bike rides fine after that. fast forward to a week ago. the irritating problem is back. vibrations from each bumpy surface and i almost lost control from the very bumpy front end while navigating a bumpy corner. i tried pushing on the handlebars when the bike is stationary to feel the compression and it sucks. it's very soft. i can do the next easy thing, adjust the screw thingy and tahan a week or so before the prob comes again or i can ask for a possible diagnosis (or more than one) from u to find out wot can possibly be the main problem before i go about rectifying the prob for good.

 

i remember the mech saying that the stock spec III springs in the fork aren't good and recommended me to change them when i can. i find this hard to digest as other friends who ride spec IIIs haven't had any probs with their forks and furthermore my bike is newer than theirs. i've never been in an accident (touch wood) and the only 'big thing' that's happened to my forks were that i've hit a 3-4 potholes in it's entire 8mth life that 'shocked' the bike a little and after each time i had it checked and made sure that the rims and forks weren't warped or damaged...

 

so......*sigh* help? it really is a headache commuting thru the city streets as the paint markings on the road will make the ride bumpy and taking corners nearly upright to reduce lost of control from sudden possible bumps is killing me...

 

The original setting for the front fork is on the light side and soft side. When I first got the bike the front end felt very soft for my liking. I like it stiff as most of my other bikes. First thing done was the front fork. I had the spring changed and added heavier fork oil by bikelab. I used to turn the screw all the way but after the fork serviced I need not even do anything to just set it to minimum. Like what Ah Pek suggest you may want send the front fork to a suspension specialist to take a look.

 

FYI I'm on the heavy side and most of the time with pillion thus the original setting is not enough thus I had it changed.

[loyjwe]

Try looking under the bike. Start with the stand and trace..there should be a connection of some sort..like a soft spring or whatever that link to a mechanical switch etc. Could have been dislodge, bend or displace or any broken wires etc..due to your accident which you did not mentioned earlier. Definitely nothing internal.

 

ok. will go down and check later. thanks ah pek

[TitanicLexus]

Anyone got idea where I can find more after market mirror for S4? beside Auntie shop n Ah Boy, coz I already went there and not much option...

[inspire85]

Just take note that "flush" means using radiator cleansing detergent (acidic) and letting the bike run for 10 to 15 mins or so..if they use water just to jet and wash out..that just "rinsing".

 

If you have the above done and still problem persist..time to check your thermostat unit. Take it out and test it with hot boiling water..should hear it when it open out.

 

If the above fails..have to check your pump impeller fan (coolant pump). This is thelast thing you would want to do but from the problem you are having..its can also be insufficient eo, coolant water or bad premixed ratio or just some clogged coolant path...or possibly your fan switch is out of specification.

 

Take what I said here as a guide for procedure trouble shooting than just listening to the mech..this spoil that spoil. Good luck.

 

Ah pek, i juz flush my coolant a few months ago.. EO juz changed few weeks back.. There is no dropping in the coolant reservoir.. But i reliase 1 funny thing, that time when i flush my coolant i used engine ice.. It suppose to be blue color rite? But the coolant in my reservoir is purplurish.. like eo lidat.. How come ah?

[s4vtec]

Ah pek, i juz flush my coolant a few months ago.. EO juz changed few weeks back.. There is no dropping in the coolant reservoir.. But i reliase 1 funny thing, that time when i flush my coolant i used engine ice.. It suppose to be blue color rite? But the coolant in my reservoir is purplurish.. like eo lidat.. How come ah?

 

Maxima coolant...

 

Maxima High Performance Coolant

[loyjwe]

previously my meter will swipe once when i turn the ignition on and once more after the engine start. after i charge the batt it only swipes once. but now if i crank once or twice it swipe once, but if i crank 3 times onli it will swipe again. issit means my batt gone liao?

[Ah Pek]

Ah pek, i juz flush my coolant a few months ago.. EO juz changed few weeks back.. There is no dropping in the coolant reservoir.. But i reliase 1 funny thing, that time when i flush my coolant i used engine ice.. It suppose to be blue color rite? But the coolant in my reservoir is purplurish.. like eo lidat.. How come ah?

 

Should be okay lah..I tot engine ice was sort of purplurish. When you look at it "thin" near the pouring surprise..its kind off violet blue..more on lighetr blue. Probably, your colour is because of some sediment from other left over internally..if it just colouration, should be fine and as long as your coolant system functions normal.

 

Regardless of brand or type of coolant..does not matter..just make sure the level in the reserve tank is always right.

[Ah Pek]

Maxima coolant...

 

Maxima High Performance Coolant

 

Why must Maxima coolant? Others cannot meh?

[deviLLian]

Why must Maxima coolant? Others cannot meh?

 

probably it gives him the satisfaction!! maxima engine oil, maxima coolant, maxima chain lube, maxima cleaning products.. heh

[ChaVex]

Dear S4 bros, i've been noticing that there's some funny "tick, tick " sound coming from my right hand side of the engine block, plus i also realise that there's a black residue on the front of the block as well....

 

i've got a feeling the black residue has got to do will my gasket n the ticking sound is coming from the valve clearence.....

 

 

M i right, n if so can anyone tell me how to rectify tis prob...

 

THanx

[kenshi1777]

usually after you ride for 10-15mins or more. when you stop and off engine will hear it. my friend s4 also have that sound.

[biting_point]

if it goes away after warming up or riding, it's normal..

if not, may need to to valve clearance..

 

if the sound comes after you off the engine.. it's the header contracting, not a alarming issue..

most likely have this sound if using aftermarket stainless steel headers, OEM headers should not have this sound..

[4DToToBig Sweep]

most likely have this sound if using aftermarket stainless steel headers, OEM headers should not have this sound..

 

Not true Bro... My OEM header have this Tick...Tick sound after some time of riding... :)

[inspire85]

Should be okay lah..I tot engine ice was sort of purplurish. When you look at it "thin" near the pouring surprise..its kind off violet blue..more on lighetr blue. Probably, your colour is because of some sediment from other left over internally..if it just colouration, should be fine and as long as your coolant system functions normal.

 

Regardless of brand or type of coolant..does not matter..just make sure the level in the reserve tank is always right.

 

Thanks.. Maybe the next time i head down bike shop for EO change i'll have my coolant pump and thermostat check..

 

If i'm not wrong, as long as the overheat led don't light up, it's still fine rite? Though the fan might turn on more often..

[Ah Pek]

Thanks.. Maybe the next time i head down bike shop for EO change i'll have my coolant pump and thermostat check..

 

If i'm not wrong, as long as the overheat led don't light up, it's still fine rite? Though the fan might turn on more often..

 

There si nothing wrong with pump etc...lah..just make sure the mech don't talk you into replacing this and that. Don't think they will check your thermostat..unless they just let the bike idle unti hot and try and hear it open which is difficult. Normally, have to take it off and put in boiling water and hear it open up when the wax inside it melts and pushes the valve.

 

Anyway..like you said, as long as the overheating led do not light up..all else is okay regardless how often the fan comes on. Sometime, water ratio higher than glyco in coolant can also heat up hoter and faster. If I were you, does waste $s just to check lah..unless free service lor.

 

Ok..won't be around till after 15th Nov..overseas.

[NsR09]

Erm wat is OEM stand for?

[dragonforce]

original equipment manufacturer.

[MaverickRD]

[Q]

Hey guys, Any one know wats the capacity of our radiator???

As in how much coolent must we pour in our radiator???

 

And is there any recommendation on which type of coolent to use??

 

Cose i'm planning to flush my radiator, bought the flushing agent...

Now not too sure how many bottles and wat type of coolent to buy...

 

Thanks...

:thumb:

[BigDogs]

Just take note that "flush" means using radiator cleansing detergent (acidic) and letting the bike run for 10 to 15 mins or so..if they use water just to jet and wash out..that just "rinsing".

 

If you have the above done and still problem persist..time to check your thermostat unit. Take it out and test it with hot boiling water..should hear it when it open out.

 

If the above fails..have to check your pump impeller fan (coolant pump). This is thelast thing you would want to do but from the problem you are having..its can also be insufficient eo, coolant water or bad premixed ratio or just some clogged coolant path...or possibly your fan switch is out of specification.

 

Take what I said here as a guide for procedure trouble shooting than just listening to the mech..this spoil that spoil. Good luck.

 

Aiyo dat means last time they only rinsed mine man, my fan ons earlier then other s4's lei but not until so often la. Is it ok? Should i go change coolant again?

 

There si nothing wrong with pump etc...lah..just make sure the mech don't talk you into replacing this and that. Don't think they will check your thermostat..unless they just let the bike idle unti hot and try and hear it open which is difficult. Normally, have to take it off and put in boiling water and hear it open up when the wax inside it melts and pushes the valve.

 

Anyway..like you said, as long as the overheating led do not light up..all else is okay regardless how often the fan comes on. Sometime, water ratio higher than glyco in coolant can also heat up hoter and faster. If I were you, does waste $s just to check lah..unless free service lor.

 

Ok..won't be around till after 15th Nov..overseas.

 

Ouh ok just read ure this post hehehe nvm sorry

[Metaphor]

Not true Bro... My OEM header have this Tick...Tick sound after some time of riding... :)

 

Same here... it's normal but very irritating....

[k3ith]

hi guys and girls,

 

wats the PSI for SPEC3 front and back tyre?

wats the ideal distance u all service your bike?

 

THANKS

[inspire85]

is there racing footrest for s4? Sometimes i corner i'll hit my shoe..

[ChaVex]

thanx for the info guys, but i m quite sure its not coming from the header... the sound is coming from the engine block...another thing is that the sound only comes when i start the bike n when i'm riding..

[4DToToBig Sweep]

thanx for the info guys, but i m quite sure its not coming from the header... the sound is coming from the engine block...another thing is that the sound only comes when i start the bike n when i'm riding..

 

Bro, may we know what version of S4 are you riding>?

[MaverickRD]

is there racing footrest for s4? Sometimes i corner i'll hit my shoe..

 

WAh.... o_O

 

U Corner super low sey....

Very Fierce sia....

:cool:

 

Anyways, I've seen this S4 vr.S using a bracket to imitate a racing footrest...

Quite similar to the one tat is used on an RXZ...

Kinda innovative i should say...

 

Cheers...

:angel:

 

Anyways hope someone could help me out....

 

[Q]

Any one know wats the capacity of our radiator???

As in how much coolent must we pour in our radiator???

 

And is there any recommendation on which type of coolent to use??

 

Cose i'm planning to flush my radiator, bought the flushing agent...

Now not too sure how many bottles and wat type of coolent to buy...

 

Thanks...

:thumb: