TRAC Actuator Bushing Play (and other front end stuff)

I installed new fork seals and did a complete teardown and inspection of the forks the other day. I noticed the inside of the plastic/nylon bushing that goes through the TRAC actuator appeared oblong. Is it supposed to be like that or is it worn? The fiche shows it as BUSH, RUBBER, 51545-MJ0-003 but the one on my bike is definitely not rubber. I also need to get the little rubber boot that goes over the TRAC actuator on the fork lower. Mine was cracked in half when I took it off. :frown:

I had a helluva time installing the wheel. This is definitely not your standard sportbike axle setup! I had to loosen the fender bolts and torque the left fork outwards to get the rotor to ride in the center of the caliper bracket, otherwise it would rub. Never had to bend a fork outwards before! Usually most sportbike axles are splayed outwards a bit. I found it intriguing that the VF is designed in this way....but that's what the Service Manual says to do, and it works.

Also found out that the bike will in fact do a stoppie, on Cheng Shins no less! :jaw: So I'm happy with the brakes for now. I can detect no swell in the stock rubber lines so I'll leave 'em be. I do have a warped rotor on the left side though, or bent...not sure which. I found the PO had one extra insulator installed between the rotor and wheel and, over time, was probably the cause of the warp.

I'm actually pretty impressed with the forks for what they are (damping rod). They absorb the bumps, at least. I have yet to really get it out on the road (not licensed yet) but up and down my street seems to be somewhat acceptable, if not a little soft. I have .95kg/mm springs and RT GV emulators on order but the springs won't be in for 3 weeks and I had to get the bike back on its own feet. I used some Racetech 10wt oil I had on the shelf and fork settings are 0psi and TRAC on 1.

 

I just went a pulled a couple examples out of the drawer...
The metal collar that slides into the trac piston is round. The plastic bushing in the trac piston that the metal collar goes into is oblong on the inside.
Every VF that I've seen has slop at this interface. You can even hear it clunking a little if your going slow on a bad road with no front brakes on. I've diagnosed quite a few customer bikes complaining of a weird noise in the front end.
Hope this helps.
Mike.

 

It does help. Thanks! I knew it looked a bit odd, but at the same time didn't look truly "worn", which is why I had to ask. And it IS plastic too, so that's good. Looks like the fiche is wrong on that part.

Greg