V-Strom Fuel-up Log

As some of you know I took my Vee to Suzuki Potchefstroom for a major 24000 km service.

Issues I had with the bike: 1. Needed a 24000 km service. 2. Bike was moer thirsty. Looking at my Fuelly you will see I averaged only 13 odd Km's per liter. The last few tanks were more like 11,7 - 12.5 km/l. 3. Between 2800 rpm and 3500 rpm there were something like a flat spot. Little power and the bike would shudder, I basically always had to keep it above 3500 rpm. 4. Bike stalled a few times just as I was about to stop. (Valve clearance)

What was done: 1. Oil and Oil Filter 2. Air filter 3. Spark plugs checked and replaced 3. All clutch and brake fluids replaced 4. Rear brake pads replaced 5. Coolant replaced 6. TPS done (was "out") 7. TBS done (was "out") 8. Injectors removed, cleaned and pressure tested. (In perfect order) 9. Valve clearance was done (all valves were shimmed to speck but 3 valves were out of speck. (could be cause of stalls) 10. Full diagnostic (no error codes or faults found) 11. Dyno tuned. (Mapping and EFI adjusted) 12. Checks and odd stuff that I can not remember or that is to trivial to mention.

Results:

1. Will have to wait and see about fuel consumption. But I am sure that my right wrist will be the major factor now. 2.Bike is running MUCH smoother, and pulls like a train. The flat spot is gone and it really feels like another bike. Maybe my Vee was a lesser vee till now. I can definitely feel a huge diffidence. Very pleased with the results.



Dyno tuning numbers (at rear wheel)

First run before any adjustments: 98Hp@8855 rpm (73,08kw) 90Nm@4925 rpm

Optimum run: 102,9Hp@8862 rpm (76.73kw) 94Nm@7029 rpm (with an almost flat curve from 4700 to 8000 rpm) Problems and issues.

Unfortunately there were that too. When I rode off I immediately heard that there is a deep growl (almost sounding good ) from the filter box area. Turned back and we took of the tank and found 2 problems of which 1 was a major slip! First the one vacuum hose was not plugged in and that caused the deep grow. But I also believe in grease on the air filter seal (on my Wee I always had fine dust under the air filter in the box until I applied grease to the seal. It works 10000% to keep ALL dust out. ). So while the tank was off I opened the air box to apply the grease and horrors!!! The appy replaced the air filter without the seal. I must tell you that Peet (the owner) turned pale and red at the same time. He called all and I am sure that something like that will not happen again. People are human and does make mistakes. I am just glad it was noticed.

On my way AGAIN I feel the rear brake fade at the second stop. Fade, fade, nothing! No rear brake at all. Shit, it was working just now??

Back to the workshop. We fitted and refitted the caliper. Bled the system. Then I noticed that, when Peet applied the brake, it seemed that only the bottom part of the piston moved. Peet stripped the caliper and found that the caliper got stuck for some reason on one side. I checked it out thoroughly and could not see any marks or anything. We reassembled and refitted. Ta-ta-taraaaaa. Works like a charm. Neither of us knows why or how this happened, I am sure it was of no fault of Suzuki. Just glad it happened when it did and not somewhere in the bundus.

Cost of it all: R2798