Speedo paint-screw problem

[mikios]

Hi everybody from neighbor forum in Greece
http://vstromhellas.forumotion.com/forum.htm

Some guys in our forum have been noticing paint under and around the speedo and tacho screws bubbling! It seems to get worse when temperature rises, maybe due to the sun as well, although one rider reports having the problem despite always parking in a garage at home and at work...

We are making a list of all riders whith this problem (see foto below - in red circles) and it is still growing. I have also stopped to look at other stroms in the street and almost all seem to have the same problem...

Some riders have contacted Suzuki partners or points of sale asking for replacement, but the short answer is NO! "Suzuki says it still works, we can't replace it"...
One person asked for that answer in writing so he could fax it along with some pictures to Suzuki HQ in Japan, and his got promptly replaced :D

There is another rider who had the entire speedo assembly replaced because he had 2 problems (both red and yellow circles) which suzuki says is caused by a malfunctioning board which causes the lighting system to overheat, creating this result. The guy walked in with a 10k mile bike, and left with a new odo that reads 0 miles :D...

Most of us only have the paint problem (red circles)... the question is, do you guys have them? Please dont hate me for this, most people hadn't realised till they read the post... :rolleyes: also note that this picture shows a "mild" case, with others being a lot worse (ignore the needle problem inthe yellow circle, that only happened in one case)

Keep Stromming everyone, and keep the rubber side down!

[greywolf]

I have not heard of this happening with stock windshields. Givi windshields are known to cause problems. If the bike is parked facing away from the sun, the rays are reflected off the back of the Givi and focused on the instruments and higher.

[mikios]

Thanks for the prompt answer Pat, but that is not the problem. Varadero bikes did have an issue with Givi windshields where the entire plate (the disk with the numbers) would melt and wrinkle due to the sun.
Our problem is definitely not related, as some bikes have stock shields, many (including mine) have a dark (smoke) MRA Vario Touring screen, yet all bikes have the exact same problem - NOTE: I forgot to mention earlier, not all bikes have the problem on the same screws, others have it on only 1 others on all 4 (2 on tacho 2 on RPM). And again, it has happened to 1 bike that is always parked in the shade...

[greywolf]

That's something I've not heard of before. Does there seem to be a model or year in common on affected bikes?

[mikios]

I can't be certain yet, but it looks like '05 bikes and earlier are not affected - still let me investigate a bit. No '09 bikes have reported anything yet, but it took my '08 a year to show symptoms.

[greywolf]

Is this with 650s, 1000s or both?

[mikios]

so far only 650s
1000s stopped production in '07 (edited 04... damn typos :-P ) anyway :Pa

[kugeln]

May it also be specific to the metric gauge faces too. There is no telling if they were produced at or by the same plant that prints & cuts the faces bound for the USA.

Perhaps Suzuki cheaped out on the metric units since they probably make so many more of them for the world market.

That would explain why nobody here had witnessed this issue.

[acidinmylegs]

Mine '07 ABS did that. I got it replaced under warranty. I have the stock windscreen. Unfortunately, the new instrument panel was set at zero miles on the odo, so my actual and indicated miles don't match. To make matters worse, the replacement instrument panel had an issue with the Tach needle, so they replaced it again. Now my actual miles are 9500 more than indicated on the odometer.

FYI, I'm in Oregon and ride year round.

Not to hijack, but does anyone know if the odo can be reprogrammed?

[mikios]

Mine '07 ABS did that. I got it replaced under warranty. I have the stock windscreen. ....

Not to hijack, but does anyone know if the odo can be reprogrammed?

Thanls for the info, sounds like our case...

You know, most people are worried about reducing mileage on the odo :rolleyes: (maybe they could help you out) :p:p

[rcacs]

so far only 650s
1000s stopped production in '04 anyway :P

Gee, dont tell anyone who bought a 05-09 Vee that....:cool:

Cheers

[mikios]

Gee, dont tell anyone who bought a 05-09 Vee that....:cool:

Cheers

:rolleyes: edited '04 to '07.... no seriously, 1000s have not been available in Europe after 2007! Word around here is production has ceased.... :confused:

[rcacs]

Still available here in North America.

Cheers!

[mikios]

you're right. I checked it out and it seems that our official distributor has stopped importing the bike for some reason...

[maydaymike]

My tach needle looks slightly melted, just like in the photo. (yellow circle) My bike has an aftermarket (national cycle v-stream) windshield, and sits out in the sun while I'm at work.

[mikios]

sorry to hear that... looks like you have a symptom of the overheating circuit... see what your dealer says, the guy who posted that foto (its not my bike) had the entire speedo assembly replaced (and walked out with 0 miles on his odo).

[clovett]

I have not heard of this happening with stock windshields. Givi windshields are known to cause problems. If the bike is parked facing away from the sun, the rays are reflected off the back of the Givi and focused on the instruments and higher.

They have the European windshield which is smaller than our stock shield don't they?

[greywolf]

They have the European windshield which is smaller than our stock shield don't they?There is such a windshield available in Europe, but it is not from Suzuki or Givi if "They" refers to one of those manufacturers.

[clovett]

There is such a windshield available in Europe, but it is not from Suzuki or Givi if "They" refers to one of those manufacturers.

Actually I was referring to stock. I was just in Italy and Rome and the V-Stroms I saw there all seemed to have small windshields. I considered they came stock with something smaller. Could be they just like the smaller shields and install them like we do madstads.

The V-Stroms looked huge in the sea of scooters!

[silverstrom]

There is such a windshield available in Europe, but it is not from Suzuki or Givi if "They" refers to one of those manufacturers.

Are you talking about the Suzuki Eurosport screen? If so, mine came with a label that said made in Italy. I had assumed Givi made it.


SS

[greywolf]

The stock V-Strom shields are the same all over the world. The smaller shield pictured is a very popular after market item. Is that what you saw?

http://vstrom.info/vsri-gallery/gallery/d/74964-2/Screen1.jpg

[clovett]

The stock V-Strom shields are the same all over the world. The smaller shield pictured is a very popular after market item. Is that what you saw?

I saw one of those smoked and a couple that appeared to be clear. Could be the proportions are just off after looking at all those scooters.