Did the 'Sharealike' Mod

[trotts]

Another Convert.

With my Bike laid up for the winter months I played with a few ideas of updates and possible improvements for the Veek for 2017.
 
The Veek  will have its first birthday in early March.  That said it was a left over from 2014 and is the White paint scheme. 

I have had the recalls done and the ECU, various other things as well.  I loved riding this bike and last year it took me on two road trips with another two this year planned and booked.

I had read a lot about the clutch baskets and seen ‘Sharealike’ both on this forum and on ‘You Tube’, and the issues with the V strom clutch basket.  Looking at his videos on ‘You Tube’ it is apparent that the clutch basket on our 2014- models has the same failings as the 2002 -13 earlier V stroms.  Basically very poorly engineered and without a suitable ‘bearing ‘of note hence they rattle and shake and vibrate about.  Must be a cost thing on Suzuki’s behalf.

I considered this and lucky me I have a friend who is very good and confident with his hands, and loves playing with engines and things (rebuilt my sons R6 when he blew it up). For the cost of a few beers and a night out he whipped out my clutch basket.

I sent the same item to John Sykes at ‘Sharealike’ in Huddesfield having e mailed and spoken with him on the phone.  John is a top man and is clearly an engineer and I had no concerns what so ever in him dealing with my Clutch basket.

It went off by me and Hermes and was received by him on a Wednesday.  The following Tuesday it was shipped back to me and received on the Wednesday by UPS.

Without giving away his trade secrets, he has done a wonderful job in making a bearing up in the middle of the said Clutch basket.

It has been put back together and today I had a quick run.  What a difference. 

The whole Bike seems so smoother now, and between 2 and 4K in lower revs is a pure joy. It also seems so much quieter without a ‘clattering’ and ‘vibration’ in the lower gears.  I am really looking forward to a decent longer run.

For removing the clutch basket I purchased a removal tool from Flea bay that made it so much easier for my mate to remove the basket.  It cost me £18.00 and will send it on to anyone else for a tenner (plus PP about £2.00). Message me re this.

The instructions on his web site for the removal of the basket relate to an earlier V strom, but are pretty much the same.  My observations are that the top of the bike (fairing etc) had to be removed to get at the radiator to drain the system of coolant and this took the time. My man reckons 2 to 2.5 hours tops, and less to put it back together.  With my first service coming up I used this as opportunity to change the oil and Filter.

Really looking forward to the spring now and giving the Veek a good run.

I think this will be a few quid really well spent and will increase my pleasure on this Bike.

I think another chap from Australia sent his Clutch basket to John with a 2014 Veek. to John as well. (He also lurks here)

[zippy]

hi trotts , I had looked at doing this mod on my bike before it got written off, like you say john is a top bloke and I have met him and is really helpful person . I had a v2 genuine Suzuki manual and the clutch looks like it has 2 sorts of clutch plates and they have to go in a certain way did you watch the bloke doing it as I would like to know for the future if I have another v2 as I will have this mod done
the tool you bought is that to hold the clucth basket while doing up the lock nut ??
I have been looking at all the bikes and I just keep coming back to the v2 as such good value for money
hope you can help jason

[stevecro]

yep trotts, that was me. Very happy with the result.
I can't be sure of the reason, but my bike gets better economy now (I'm not sure if the mod helps reduce friction loss). My last two trips gave me 24 kms per litre obeying (generally) highway speed limits and riding groomed dirt. Will be interesting to hear if yours does.
The tank didn't need lifting to drain the coolant but it did to refill it accurately.

[trotts]

Greetings Zippy.  Glad you are almost back on the 'horse'.  Spring around the corner now.

Yes, I can confirm the tool is the device needed to hold the basket while undoing the lock nut.  One photo attached for your info of the said tool holding clutch basket in place. You will find it on flea bay and is universal to many Suzuki baskets. John pointed me to two selling it.( Got it from CJ Accessories).  I will advertise the tool on here in a few days in the for sale section, when I get round to it.  A few photos were taken and e mailed to John for his info and use.

Going off topic but you are spoilt for choice.  Saw some Super Tens again in Fowlers at I am sure under £9K, no luggage mind, and V Stroms  with loads goodies, new, for under 9k, not pre reg.  With the  new Veek arriving you can get a new one for a snip with the yellow one coming out and soon in show rooms.

[trotts]

yep trotts, that was me. Very happy with the result.

noted, will do. Spring is soon here and the floods move down under !

[zippy]

hi trotts, thanks ,yes getting better slowly lots of physio,back specialist, swimming and trying to build back up the muscle and stamina again its amazing how quick it goes and how long it takes to come back and the most simple stuff that you take for granted that was easy to do before is a struggle now . I need surgery on my left hand as the bones healed all wrong and unable to bend last 2 fingers  and kuckle joint is very low   etc but the good news is I can pull a clutch lever in so alls good with the world 
did you notice if there was different clutch plates etc or did you just watch etc
I am 99% sure I will have another one just want a adventure model for £8k which is my budget , the 1200 tenere I did not like the throttle as way to sensitive for me and that put me off big time
I will have the tool off you ??? just pm me
regards jason

[trotts]

Today was the day !  Hibernation over.  Sun out, a balmy 12c, day off and relatively free.  Taxed in the blink of an eye for new season and off and running.

Having not ridden it for 3 months and more loved it.  With the clutch mod it seemed so quiet and so smooth, I was really surprised and very 'chuffed' at the difference. As this bike is a 'keeper' for me, well worth the outlay that in the scheme of things not too great !

A 30 mile round trip became nearer 100.  Good to be back 

[sharealike]

Thank you all for the kind words. Hope you are soon mended zippy.

trotts asked me to record what I found inside his basket while it was here for the modification. I mention it's 5,000 miles but now remember was more like 6,000. Either way its not good for a bike that's barely run in. Sorry if I mumble a bit. Busy so have to get this stuff in one take without time to review before loading.


Sorry it took me so long to get round to uploading this trotts. No end of clutch baskets rolled up here last month - I'm no longer feeling even semi retired. Busy season will be over soon and back to quieter times. With luck I can get out and ride me own bikes.