Post by wayne on Feb 1, 2024 1:37:44 GMT -5
For a long time, I've had an occasional grinding sound that comes from the left side of the bike when first start-of-the-day idling on the side stand. It didn't sound good but I couldn't find it and the bike's running really well, no changes in coolant temp. Sound's not there when riding and I don't hear it during the several starts you make on a day ride.
I had a service due and did the timing using the 17mm nut on the end of the alternator (under the stamped metal SUZUKI badge) to spin the rotor. There it was. A horrible squeaking grinding. It wasn't there last time I did the timing not that long ago. WTF? Main bearing? It was noticeably harder to turn over by hand but I'd just done a ride and it ran fine with no noises.
I noticed one of the 3 phillips head screws that hold the centre part of the alternator (part of the field coil assembly) was loose. Then I discovered the other two were also loose (one very loose). Haven't touched this part of the bike for over 20 years. Let's see how much damage I've done:
The dust is rusted iron filings and it was full of it. Had to plug every hole and cover as much of the bike before taking several minutes with high pressure air to blow it off (and yes, I'm aware there's a seal behind there):
This bit in the centre is held by the 3 phillips heads on the outside of the casing and you can see where it's been grinding as it's flopped onto the next bit:
This bit, rotating on the end of the main shaft. You can see the scour marks:
I think I've gotten away with it, no performance damage to the alternator. Lasted around 20 years but even if it's not called for, loctite my friends!
I had a service due and did the timing using the 17mm nut on the end of the alternator (under the stamped metal SUZUKI badge) to spin the rotor. There it was. A horrible squeaking grinding. It wasn't there last time I did the timing not that long ago. WTF? Main bearing? It was noticeably harder to turn over by hand but I'd just done a ride and it ran fine with no noises.
I noticed one of the 3 phillips head screws that hold the centre part of the alternator (part of the field coil assembly) was loose. Then I discovered the other two were also loose (one very loose). Haven't touched this part of the bike for over 20 years. Let's see how much damage I've done:
The dust is rusted iron filings and it was full of it. Had to plug every hole and cover as much of the bike before taking several minutes with high pressure air to blow it off (and yes, I'm aware there's a seal behind there):
This bit in the centre is held by the 3 phillips heads on the outside of the casing and you can see where it's been grinding as it's flopped onto the next bit:
This bit, rotating on the end of the main shaft. You can see the scour marks:
I think I've gotten away with it, no performance damage to the alternator. Lasted around 20 years but even if it's not called for, loctite my friends!
