Gen 1 '99 Recalls

[Katana2]

Big problem. My 5/99 has a recall sticker, left of the fuel tank hinge, that recomends along the lines of 'recall completed' and 'campaign no.' just above that. On the headstem below the compliance plate as you read it, is another recall sticker with 'Hay 99/1' and 'recall completed'. Brother inlaw (9/99 busa, only 247 bikes from mine by number) has just been on the blower with the aus suzuki parts/import who cares bloke who says that the only recall done on the early busa's was for the cam chain adjuster??? I have heard stuff about weak alloy subframes in the early models causing a subrame recall to replace the alloy subframe with a steel subframe (which mine has!!, his still has the alloy job?!?). What recalls have happened? and who can prove what?

[big kev]

im pretty sure they fixed the subframe probs quite early in the peace mate so your bike has a replacemnt subframe . theres nothing to worry bout .

[Katana2]

Ta, but there is a 4 month build difference. 247 bikes. I can almost understand the subframe issue being cleared up quick, but why do i have another recall sticker on the headstem with 'Hay 99/1' recall completed mean. I know my bike is safe in the subframe. Probably the other sticker is for the camchain adjuster. But what recalls have happened so that i know my brother inlaws bike is as good as can be?

[simmo]

A lot of the early recall on the camchain adjuster was done twice they didn't get it right the first time
as for the sub frame it was not a recall but some people did get it replaced a labour cost only, the ones that broke off, that's what I'm aware off

[Katana2]

A lot of the early recall on the camchain adjuster was done twice they didn't get it right the first time
as for the sub frame it was not a recall but some people did get it replaced a labour cost only, the ones that broke off, that's what I'm aware off

Cheers Simmo. Glen with the black ducati monster mentioned you just yesterday, so we live close. If they did a camchain adjuster recall, why would i have 2 stickers in totally different places? and have the steel sub? I am at a loss here. Kev is gonna make some enquiries tomorrow so that may help but it is a bit james bond at the moment.

[simmo]

A lot of the early recall on the camchain adjuster was done twice they didn't get it right the first time
as for the sub frame it was not a recall but some people did get it replaced a labour cost only, the ones that broke off, that's what I'm aware off

Cheers Simmo. Glen with the black ducati monster mentioned you just yesterday, so we live close. If they did a camchain adjuster recall, why would i have 2 stickers in totally different places? and have the steel sub? I am at a loss here. Kev is gonna make some enquiries tomorrow so that may help but it is a bit james bond at the moment.

They may have not seen the first one ??
May be it was from the sub frame but I have not heard of that before
Normally a ventura rack is why the 1st sub frame broke, the alloy ones don't like the extra weight over the back of the bike

[pan]

Best to call Suzuki Australia, 03 9931 0500, and get them to check your bike over the phone (chassis number) to check what recalls were done, THEN GET THEM TO FAX IT TO YOU and check it (the part numbers) yourself. They told me (verbally) all my recalls were done then my cam chain popped a few months later. They paid for repairs though because the fax they sent me showed 2 recalls, 1 cam chain and 1 was a cooling fan or belt of some sort, hence the 2nd recall had NOT been done, but the guy on the telephone assumed it had...

One of the guys on the site here spotted the recall part number was wrong (not for a cam chain tensioner), and hence saved me 1000's of bucks...

[Volvi]

as pan said, suzi would have details on what was done based on VIN number. from memory there were 3 recalls, 1 for a filter of somesort (may have been fuel filter) and 2 on Cam Chain tensioner. There has never been a recall on subframe even tho there were reports of them snapping close to the battery (period check of area advised). They have had them replaced on the quiet for customers. I am still riding on my original alloy subframe 10 years on but ride solo 99% of the time and still fine no probs. I think a common contributor to frame breaks is pillions mounting on bike with full weight on one peg. A good policy imo is to have pillions slide theyre butts on the seat before resting on pegs. Suggestions of 4 into 1 exhaust may have contributed to breaks, I for one dont buy that. Ventura bag could be a contributor to tho.

[simmo]

Best to call Suzuki Australia, 03 9931 0500, and get them to check your bike over the phone (chassis number) to check what recalls were done, THEN GET THEM TO FAX IT TO YOU and check it (the part numbers) yourself. They told me (verbally) all my recalls were done then my cam chain popped a few months later. They paid for repairs though because the fax they sent me showed 2 recalls, 1 cam chain and 1 was a cooling fan or belt of some sort, hence the 2nd recall had NOT been done, but the guy on the telephone assumed it had...

One of the guys on the site here spotted the recall part number was wrong (not for a cam chain tensioner), and hence saved me 1000's of bucks...

1 was a cooling fan or belt of some sort

I think you are thinking of your porsche

[ROD]

They did a recall on the crappy colours in 99 painted them blue free of charge

[Ruffy]

Mate -- If you do a fair amount of two up riding or if you are worried then do what I did and buy a steel sub frame for about $180 and spend a couple of hours changing it over. Weight difference is negligible and you can forget about it

Cheers Ruffy

[Katana2]

Thanks people. Good feedback (and ROD). I called the Melbourne number and Rene advised to first contact local dealer as they don't want to talk to me before that happens. I work close to Action's at Parra so walked up there at lunch. I was advised that only 2 recalls happened, both for the cam chain tentioner. I have a printout and both were carried out, 1 in Nov '99 and the other Nov '00. 1 with Part Description (Pt Desc.) of 'Plug,Tentioner Adjuster' and the other with the of Pt Desc. of 'Chain Tention ADJ' and CC Description of 'Oil Feed Cam chain tentioer adjuster RE'. The subframe shows on the record completed in Dec '03 with a Pt Desc. of 'Discontinued ** Consult M/C Dept' and CC Desc. of 'Rear subfrsame cracked' so that is curious. I'm thankfull that I can advise Brother in law about the alloy subframe with greater authority now. Cheers guys.

[Countbusa]

Mate -- If you do a fair amount of two up riding or if you are worried then do what I did and buy a steel sub frame for about $180 and spend a couple of hours changing it over. Weight difference is negligible and you can forget about it

Cheers Ruffy

The weight difference between the alloy sub frame and the steel sub frame is 10 grams short of 3kg! Cheers

[Katana2]

Another '99 to be made safe. A crack was found on the alloy subframe. A steel unit bought, and I will be accepting beer from Brother in-law as we change subframes over tonight. Thanks to all who contributed. (but I will enjoy the beer all to myself!!!!!)

[Ward P]

They did a recall on the crappy colours in 99 painted them blue free of charge

I only have the one recall sticker on mine, as the cam chain tensioner was done later, and so only done once. At the same time a crack was noticed in the subframe and replaced at labour charge only.