Rear suspension adjustment knob seized

[GeofftheChef]

i was out for short ride and met up with fellow crosstourer owner, who mentioned to keep an eye on the rear adjuster as it is prone to seizing fast. . . Upon inspection, I found this to be the case and cannot move it. . . Any ideas how to free it in case of any adjustment needed in the future?

[biker1300]

isn't it under warranty 

[pabwon]

This seems to be a fairly common problem on Crosstourer.Mine seized at 3000 miles and the whole rear suspension unit was replaced under warranty.

[Saxon747]

Hi Geoff. You have two choices. Number one. If your bike is still under warranty then most dealers will put in a claim to replace the whole rear shock including a new knob which is supposed to have an 'O' ring fitted to help stop water and dirt ingress.
Number two. Get a piece of wood long enough to reach through the underside of the bike and then tap the knob off with the aid of a hammer onto the wood. { this is as long as you cannot physically pull it off by hand} Then once the knob is off then get a socket on the bolt which is exposed underneath, and with the extra pressure from a socket and bar or ratchet you should be able to slacken the bolt enough to expose as much thread as you can . Then lube the thread up well and give it a good working with the socket until  it goes nicely again.
I believe that under the knob there are 2 little springs and balls which make the clicking sound as you adjust it. If it's too much of a fiddle to get the springs back in, then just put a permanent mark on the outside of the knob and one full turn should count as one click.
A lot of 'knobs' in that explanation    but I hope that helps.

Explained to me by blumeeni who did his some time ago. Mine was all replaced last summer after an oil leak from the suspension unit

[dentonlad]

Mine also seized and adjuster and new shock replaced under warranty. Same thing happens on the VFR1200F apparently......

[Atom64]

.....And the same thing happens on the GTR1400.

Don't these manufacturers ever learn from one another !!!   

[ROGERAC]

I just had my second new shock put on last Friday - the original shock was replaced in Dec 2013 when I bought the bike secondhand. That shock went the same way as the original in a just over a year of standing outside and riding every day.

The latest replacement shock is indeed a modified part (and part number) and has an O ring to - hopefully - keep water out of the adjuster. Chiswick Honda sorted it and it was no problem at all - a quick inspection in the workshop while I waited and the shock ordered and fitted all in less than a week.

As everyone says it's a known problem and I can't see why Honda took so long to sort it out.

Now that I can adjust the shock again, I've taken the chance to dial in veejay's settings - https://www.crosstourer.com/index.php/topic,2029.0.html - and I'd recommend these settings.

Makes the bike handle MUCH better.

[steve]

Mine has been seized for a while, it's going in for it's 16,000 mile service soon. I expect it to be fixed shortly, before the warranty expires.

Not that I ever adjust it