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Please look a the "clunk" poll
Mon, 2008-08-18 21:10 — lucky13
Hey EVERYBODY, I sent the following email to Will. He responded that when we feel we have enough votes (if the results are leaning this way) that he will get OUR GROUP opinion to Yamaha. I think it's worth a shot??? Please take time to vote.
Hi Will,
I was wondering if there is a way (as a group of nearly 1000) to petition
Yamaha to issue a recall to fix / replace the springs in the front forks. I haven't heard anybody say that their bike doesn't have "the clunk" and I
feel it is definitely a safety issue for us in the future. Maybe as a
poll with the results posted and sent to the appropriate people at
Yamaha??? This is a "fan" site (and an excellent one), so it's not like
Ralph Nader coming after them or anything like that. I think (as a whole)
we love our bikes and we all realize the no bike is perfect. They didn't
custom build these to fit each of us individually. The bars are a reach
for some of us, the windshields are not as effective as we'd like, and the
1300's make some noises that we'd rather they didn't make, but these are
issues of comfort / personal preference for the most part. The fork issue
is different. I don't want this recall to be issued because the family of
one of our members has sued Yamaha after a tragedy. This is my 5th bike
and my 3rd Yamaha, so I believe in Yamaha!!! I think they will do the
right thing if they hear from enough concerned riders. Just wondering????
Awesome site .... awesome resource .... BTW !!!
Thanks,
Keith
Clunk
I stopped by my Yamaha dealer yesterday to speak with them about the clutch basket and ask if they have any complaints on the “clunk”. They told me the clutch baskets have been on back order but they expect them to be shipped in the next week.
From the “clunk” issue I received the deer in the headlight look with the response “I haven’t heard any thing about a clunk. The service writer/parts man did said he would be glad to ride the bike to see what type of clunk it is. My clunk is not bad however I do want to have it checked out to make sure there has been no cross threading. One step at a time, I will let them check it out when they replace the basket.
I have spoken with the mechanic several times while at the dealership just not about the clunk. He seams very friendly and knowledgeable with 30 years of service. We have the small town service dept where I can go in and speak with him with out being run out. Hope to find out something soon.
The nasty "CLUNK"
I too have the same problem with my 2007 1300 Tourer. At first I thought it was the key ring or maybe some rattle until I eliminated them. For sure it is the fork spring. It is very annoying. The slightest bump or dip in the road sets it off. Obviously they goofed when they designed this and it should have been corrected before mass production.
As with the rest, I would like to see Yamaha own up and supply a remedy. I love my bike otherwise.... even if I have to stand on my head and have the wife hold the bike straight up so I can check the oil level! (I really don't know who they thought would like the window down there.) Anyway.... Ride On and keep looking for a recall on the springs.
back to the top. don't want
back to the top. don't want it to fall off the front page.
Yep, recall for sure. NO
Yep, recall for sure. NO matter whether shocks or stripped bolt.
Regards
clunk
I spoke with the service manager here in tulsa where I purchased the bike and was told that he had no other complaints about the clunk. I called a jake singh at yahama in ca 1-800-962-7926 ex 7862 he listened to my complaint and said he would call my local service manager which he did and he called me back but I didnt get any satisfaction. during the conversation he didnt say he had heard no other complaints but he acted as though it was a new subject but I knew better because I got his number from this forum. I will take time to write a letter of complaint to yamaha and if anybody on this board has friends in the industry media you might give them a call
R Stone
Yamaha customer Service
Jake Singh IS the person I've been talking with. Believe me, he is very aware of this problem. He has set up an appointment for me to meet with the regional service mgr on 9-16-08. Your better off always talking with the same person if you can. Remember Jake has a boss, if you continue to get the runaround ask to speak to his supervisor, I did and he became more helpful!!!
the "Clunk"
Diana Cortez - Yamaha Customer Relations admitted to me on 9/4/2008 that clunk is a problem and they have lots of complaints from dealers and owners. What we are getting fom Ymaha is the stonewall - "We haven't had any other complaints - you are the first person we have heard from" - which we all know is a line of BS. The internet and forums like this have ended the days of the corporate stonewall. We now have the information to play and fight on a level playing field. Tell Jake Singh he is full of crap and give him website addresses just like I did to Diana Cortez. Better yet, tell him to log into Yamaha's Star Touring and Riding website and see what members are saying on the Yamaha sponsored message board.
I printed info from 5 different forums about the clunk on my bike and took it to the service manager at my dealer in oKC. All he could say was wow. He had no idea because Yamaha is giving the dealers the stonewall also.
Keep up the fight and never give up....................paul
Clunk Update - Important
Big Red has been in the shop for 2 days looking for the clunk. I stopped by the dealer to see what they have found. Service manager told me I had a "clunk in the front end". No shit Sherlock!!!..... and it took 2 days to figure that out!! He has a call in to Yamaha because he can't find it.
Not one to give up, I gave Shane at S&S Customs a call to pick his brain. He said there are 2 causes of the clunk that he has found. Take note - one is scary.
#1 Apparently, YAMAHA SHIPPED A BATCH OF BIKES WITH A CROSS THREADED LOCKNUT ON THE STEERING STEM. THE STEM DOES NOT TIGHTEN PROPERLY (IT APPEARS TIGHT AND TORQUES TO SPEC) AND IT IS THE TRIPLE TREE CLUNKING EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP. SCARY - CHECK YOUR BIKE IF YOU HAVE A CLUNK - THIS WILL BE CATOSTROPHIC - IF THE STEM/TRIPLE TREE/LOCKNUT TURNS LOOSE.
#2 The 1300 front end is the same as the 1100. The springs were not heavy enough for the 1100. The 1300 is longer and heavier and the fork tubes are bottoming out. $69.95 spring kit from S&S is the fix.
I have relayed this info to my dealer and am waitng for Yamaha Customer Relations to call me back.
IMPORTANT - If you have the clunk, err on the side of safety. Go get the stem locknut checked and make certain that it is not the root cause of the clunk on your bike. I don't know about you, but I have no desire to be astraddle Big Red when the front end falls off!!!
Safety first..........................paul
CLUNK POLL
MALTA EUROPE WITH YOU GUYS. ------ CLUNK OUT -----
Confession is good for the soul
Okay, confession time. I'm posting this mostly to get this back in the recent posts first page. At last check, there have been 82 votes entered. If this is NOT a problem on most 1300T's, then I think that I have a warranty repair needed. If it IS a problem on most of them, then I think Yamaha should do a recall fix. Either way, I'd really appreciate everyone's vote on the "clunk poll". I know that a couple of members have already went to great lengths and have some action pending, but I'd still like for us to have this poll loaded up and ready to fire at Yamaha ..... IF they don't fix the problem. Thanks again to all those who have voted.
keith
clunk repair
Big Red went to the dealer today for the prescribed inspection mandated by Yamaha Customer Relations and Tech Services. The sevice manager told me again, Yamaha will walk him thru an inspection - apparently there are several things Yamaha wants to look at - and then he will tell Yamaha how to fix it. Randy (service manager) is a suspension guru and agrees with me - the problem needs to be fixed. Only time will tell - but I am confident a fix will be found for everyone. ....paul
Clunk inspection
I have an appointment 8-16 at my dealer to meet with the Yamaha regional service rep. I have been informed this meeting is due to the many complaints/phone calls made to customer service. Will advise outcome
CLUNK
I'm in for the recall. I've had others comment on the "clunk" it's not normal.
RIDING IS MY WAY OF CLEARING MY HEAD!
Recall
Time for Yamaha to stand up and fix the Clunk. Count me in. panzer
Long Term Effect of the "Clunk"
I'm in. I worry about the long term effect of the "Clunk". When pieces of hardware come together that shouldn't come together, isn't something going to give eventually?
Doug
"Keep the shiny side up!"
add me to the list
My dealer won't even write a service ticket on the clunk. His comment was they know what it is and Yamaha won't fix it. He won't go to bat for me with Yamaha. Go get em! ...paul
Get documention
Ask you dealer to at least give you dated/signed documention that you've brought this to his attention. If he refuses to do so then demand it. This could protect you at a later date. If this fails then call Yamaha Customer Service and file a complaint. Be sure to mention the dealers refusal and also be sure to get a tracking number in order to referance your complaint in the future.
Good Luck
dealer issue
I have been on the phone yesterday and today with Yamaha customer relations. They will be talking to my dealer this afternoon. I finally found a pretty sharp gal - Diana Cortez - at Yamaha in Georgia. She has been most helpfull.
Yamaha has luggage racks in the barn, in the USA right now, and the buyer won't release them for whatever reason.
They have clutch basket repair kits in the barn, in the USA right now and they will will not release them. They had an issue with the kits - fixed the issue - and are now sitting on them.
As far as the fork clunk - goes - she says they don't have many reported cases to work from. Sounds like other dealers are doing the same as mine - refusing to even write the problem up. I referred her to this board and the Delphi forums. I suggested she do a little research on the internet and then pass the info on to her boss. I think Yamaha will be surpised at how many pissed off owners are out here.
I still haven't got my bike fixed - but I at least feel like I am making some progress.
paul
09 clunk
I have had my '09 for 1 month and i too noticed a clunk going over bumps. i'm going to the dealership today to find out what they know about it. I am behind all which are airing their grievences. Lets get this resolved asap. Does anyone know if the clutch basket repair issue involve the '09 as well?
Daryl
No 09's
The 008 Production year started with a different dampering system in the clutch-clutch basket. Only the 07's have the original clutch works where noise might be too much of a problem. ~ Butch
Add one more to your petition list
I've read on the StarTouring.org forums that the clunking problem is with the springs in the forks and an "upgrade" to a better performing spring set will cure the issue. If that's the case and replacing springs is the answer then the problem is by design [or at least the parts used by Yamaha] and I feel it should be addressed by the manufacturer and covered under warranty, if not via a recall.
I'm in. Let's make the clunk
I'm in. Let's make the chunk go away!
Count....
me in. Chuck
Recall
Adjusting the rear shock up two notches got rid of bottoming out two-up, but I don't think I should have to disassemble my front forks to fix a one-up defect in the suspension. My dealer can fix it courtesy of Yamaha if they wish to retain satisfied customers. I'm learning to hate those RR tracks I routinely cross. You've got my vote.
Ship
CLUNKIN ALONG!!!
Ok folks, it seems that we have quite a few folks that are displeased with with Yamaha and their dealers regarding this fork noise. Where do we go from hear???? As ya'll should know by now if you,ve read my earlier post on this subjects , I am fighjting what seems to be a one man battle to get this fixed. I spoke again today with Yamaha customer service about my complaint and when could I expect to meet with the district rep. Was told again that I would be advised of the date as soon as it could scheduled. ( Wonder if I'm still getting the runaround? ) I was also told that todate Yamaha still does not have any record of anyone else that is having this problem. Can this be true????
I would like to hear from anyone who has a positive idea on which direction to take and what to do when I (we) get there!!!!
The Goal
I appreciate anyone who is williing to go to bat for us like you are doing. Frustrating as it is, it's working because it was your earlier posts that gave me the idea of going at them as a group. My goal when I contacted Will about the "clunk" poll was to get enough numbers that Yamaha couldn't ignore us. Honestly, I was hoping for and expecting a bigger response. I'd like to see us be able to tell Yamaha that our group opinion with a 30 or 40% responding is that 90% of our members see the "clunk" as a design flaw that should be corrected by Yamaha and that almost 60% of us feel that it is a potential safety issue. Yamaha may not have any record of anyone else with this problem because they don't keep records (or pay attention to) any ONE owner. As a group, I feel we could get some attention. I appreciate all those who have voted, but I think we are going to need a bigger percentage of our group to respond in order to get their attention. It seems to me .... we know what the problem is .... we know what will fix it .... and if we can get to the right person .... hopefully, common sense will prevail !!!
BEEN LOOKING
I have spent most of the day either on the phone or web trying to get info on Yamaha regarding who to speak with or who to send letter in order to file a complaint. (Other than their customer service) It seems that the dealers I spoke with either cannot or are unwilling to give out this info. All the dealers said they would take my complaint and relay it to Yamaha if it was justified. Sounds like CYA to me. I AIN'T GIVING UP!!
Maybe some of you guys & gals have a better knowledge than me on searching for this info. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The how to do it.
On page 9-8 of the Vstar 1300 Owners Manual there are address's there where letters can be sent. In the second column of page 9-8 it does state that a dealer should be contacted first, BUT under it there is a statement that if a person is still not satisfied to write to:
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Customer Relations Department
P.O. Box 6555
Cypress, California 90630
The letter must be sent by snail mail. Upon that letter a person should state the Model number, model year, Serial number, mileage, date purchased, where purchased and with whom the issue was discussed at the dealership. It will require your full name, address, phone number and an e-mail address too.
The letter should not be just a sounding complaint, but an explanation of what the bike is doing. In this case an aggravated clunk noise felt and heard going over road bumps. To help them decide that a fix is what we are all looking for mentioning the part number of the progressive spring kit, who makes it, the cost, and where it can be purchased should be mentioned. Yamaha probably sublets the components rather than producing them inhouse. The manufacturer of the progressive springs is probably important since that outfit fully understands the clunk noise, and therefore had a reason to come up with a kit for the Vstar 1300. We are talking about money talking and bs walking. So it is very possible that Yamaha being as large a corporation that they are may state that the numbers do not give them reason enough to offer the fix. And because the springs are not that costly they can easily let themselves off the hook by RECOMMENDING those that are having problems to buy the spring kit and have it installed. They do not have to pay for it, and to Yamaha there is no safety issue with the Springs the way they are now. It is annoyance problem rather than a safety problem. To get Yamaha to agree with us first it must be defined as an annoyance first, then a questionable safety issue after that. The probable fix will come about under a "Customer Satisfaction" reason. However the draft of such a letter would be nice if it were presented with as many of us as possible describing what the bike is doing. Just saying "I can't stand the godam noise the bike makes", won't cut it. We have to finesse this thing onto someones desk. As a suggestion we must keep this post alive and on top for awhile yet and hammer down as many opionions we can muster up by people who need the progressive springs and those who already installed them with their reviews. If we have other bitches about the bike those complaints should be drafted in another letter.. not in this one! When we all think it is sufficient and we know folks will go along with it then we should all mail a personal letter to the address above on the same day bombarding them with the same information. It is like getting people to vote... how many will do it is probably unknown. The other way would be to send the letter to one person on this forum who will then send all of the letters in .. in one packet. Will five letters do it? Probably not. Will a hundred do it? maybe. The thing is letters will be answered, probably by phone. The question is whether yamaha will pay for it? That is unknown. But their final decision will be obvious. All we can do is hope they step up to the plate. This isn't going to be a quick fix. It will take some time. ~ Butch
Front End Clunk
Hey Butch,
I have a V Star 1300 T with about 11500 miles on it and I have contacted my dealer about this annoying problem with the same results as everyone else! "Nope, never heard of this problem, no one else has complained etc. etc. If there is one thing I have learned over the years is that the squeaky wheel gets the grease...in this case maybe everyone who has this problem should contact as many of the national magazines such as
Cycle World, Cruiser, Rider and Road Runner to put them onto the problem and see if they can help us find a solution. My experience has been that big corporations such as Yamaha do tend to respond quicker when the media starts asking questions. What do you think?
Sounds like a plan
Thanks Butch for your reply. You have some great ideas. I'm going to take a few days and formulate a strong letter to Yamaha ha ha. Each of us will have to describe exactly what they are experencing, remarks from the dealer, and their dissatisfaction. I will post my letter before mailing with thw hopes that some of you will critique so that we will have a guidline/template for a group effort to get this resolved.
FYI, today I made about a 300 mile round trip hitting 3 different Yamaha dealers to get their opinion/thoughts on the clunking noise. I also asked about them doing my warranty work and got prices on oil change & valve adjustments. Their responce:
Dealer #1 - only heard of this one time and not on a 1300. Do not know what the cause is. Would be glad to ride my bike to hear this clunking sound for 1/2 hour labor cost ($135.00 hr). Oil change - cost of oil/filter plus 1 hour labor, valves - flat rate of $375.00
Dealer #2 - had not heard of this but did state that there could be several causes with some being covered under warranty. Would be happy to look into this if I wanted to make an appointment, no charge until actual work is done. Oil change 1/2 labor ($65.00 hr)+ parts, valves $235.00
Dealer #3 - need an appoint to speak with the service mgr. Will do my warranty work at $145.00 hr labor (sign behind counter said "labor $110.00"). Also advised that they take care of their customers first , even with an appointment I would be worked in.
#2 seems the best , will probably give them a shot, wish he was closer.
Clunk
You got my vote..
Ride Easy
I'm in also
Just returned from a 100 mile ride and I can't count the number of times that I experienced the front fork clunk. Count me in! This problem needs to be corrected and I believe it is a design flaw. Hope they listen to our group if we all stand together!
Count me in. We should not
Count me in. We should not have to install progressive springs to make this issue go away. It should have not been there in the first place.
~ Willow
Black '07, Mustang seat/pillion, National Cycle windshield/steel lowers, Yamaha leather saddle bags, Stebel air horn, BrakeAway Cruise Control, Roadhouse slip-on
Take Notice Yamaha
Yes, Count me in on this poll for sure. I also believe in the numbers we have here Yamaha will be forced to do something. Like Butch said, if not on our models but hopefully the newer bikes coming out. Mark
Count "CLUNK"
Count "CLUNK" me "CLUNK" in!! D--n bumps!!
Jimmyfrog
FORK CLUNK
This is great news. If everyone will stand up and be counted regarding this issue we should be able to get Yamaha's attention. We, as "happy owners", will sell as many if not more V Star 1300"s than all YAMAHA dealers combined. I've voted for this and wish everyone who has this problem will also vote yes. Hopefully all who have fixed this problem out of their pocket will support this poll. Who knows, we may get your money back!!!
PLEASE READ MY POST "FORK NOISE"
The person I've been speaking with at Yamaha Customer Service is Jake Singh, 1 800 962 7926 ext 7862. Maybe we should all load him up with calls regarding this CLUNKING NOISE. Wonder what would happen?
Count me in
What a terrific idea!!! As an individual little gets noticed, but as a large group it will certainly get attention. Especially if all are experiencing this same problem. If there is a petition count me in, I'll sign it. Very good post!!
Dave
This is the way to do it.
When we team up like this something just might happen to help. I hope others who have already installed progressive springs will vote in the poll as well. This would be for the benefit of everyone whether they changed out their springs or not. It takes awareness of a problem, and then some action to get the issue on someone's desk. It is not so much the cost of the progressive springs, or the labor, but this is one aggravation that should be brought to the attention of Yamaha, and hopefully this will lead to a change in future models.....even if those of us currently may have to pay for the update. ~ Butch
Clunk & yamaha customer service
I called them for what good it did and they took my name . For the sake of continuos improvement I told them I believe they should fix the problem .
They say there is no safety concern and that yamaha has no replacement spring that they can substitute in place of the current spring . Well they need to get one then ! And we all know that is possible . They are a huge company . Lets stay on them and push forward that's how things get done . I've paid for to many corrections on this bike already . Count me in . Kent
dam clunk
yes I agree we should have a recall ,,, love to get that noise stopped.
yup
As I understand it they only made 4500 of these in 07. So with us being 1000 strong that is almost 25% unhappy customers.
Count Me IN!!
I have the dreaded front end clunk also. Anything that we can do as a group which might sway Yamaha to fix the problem I'm up for. Just let me know.
Marty
Clunk clunk
Mine has been clunking sence the first day I brought it home. It was the first bad thing I noticed about this bike before I even got home with it. Our great back roads here in E. OK brings out the clunk evey time I go out for a ride. Count me in for sure.
clunk
Take a look at the Star Touring forums. There are many posts / complaints about the clunk. I don't think all those posts are from our members. Yamaha knows they have a problem, they just haven't stepped up to fix it. Maybe a complaint to the Consumer Product Safety Commission or DOT will move them off high center. A little regulatory attention might cure it!
Just my thoughts
I've had those same thoughts however, it would probably be best for all if Yamaha was given an opportunity to respond first. If they deny this then we take the next step.
FYI, did ya'll know that almost every state has a lemon law and that in many of these states this law does not apply to motorcycles.
By the way, I've been told by a yamaha dealer that I (we) should not try to repair the front forks by going to Progressive springs. This couild and will void your warranty since these springs are not a Yamaha product. This is another reason for all you folks that have already made these repairs to support us. I would hate to fix my problem for less than $100.00 and have my warranty cancelled.
How in the hell would ANYONE
How in the hell would ANYONE know that progressive springs have been installed in your bike unless YOU told them they were in there. (or if they test drove it and didn't notice the clunk, eh?) Voiding warranty for UPGRADING your bike................doesn't sound very plausible, but I"ve heard of companies doing stupider things I guess. Goodluck on your quest for repairs.
Make it your own.
There is no written disclaimer from Yamaha that specifically mentions the front fork springs. The issue is one of annoyance and rider satisfaction. If the Progressive Springs were to be disclaimed by Yamaha Progressive would not have made the kit to fit our machines. This would include Exhaust mods, tire size changing and a slug of other little things we have done to our scooters. If a person had a failure with a progressive spring that led to an accident Yamaha is not liable. The spring people are. However this very unlikely that a spring or springs would cause an accident. It might include who changed them out in when and if a liability issue ever arose. The VStar 1300 is nearly bulletproof nomatter what we do to them. So far I have not received any recall notices on my 2007 Vstar 1300. The only things that have come up are customer satisfaction issues like the clutch basket on the 2007 models. The springs are probably warranted by Progressive. This of course is like any implied warranty on an exhaust system, Fuel modulator change where Yamaha is completely off the hook. We can't live in fear owning these scooters. I salute anyone who has made a mod that has made sense, makes the ride better. There are few warranty claims on these bikes. Am sure it will continue that way. Workmanship and materials supplied by the manufacturer apply to each manufacturer. That's all we have to rely upon. So far so good. ~ Butch
CLUNK-B-GONE
As part of another forum, I decided to test the waters and make a modification that ended up being very successful at eliminating 100% of the 1300's notorious and very annoying CLUNK. I went to Shane at SS Custom Cycle and purchased Progressive Fork Springs (for about $70). It not only eliminated the CLUNK, but as a bonus, it enhanced the overall ride & handling of the bike. Since that time, I believe I'm safe to say a hundred others, maybe more, have done the same thing, all with equal success.
Stay well,
Morg - Key West
CLUNK BE BAD
Did these hundred others. maybe more, choose to fix this because Yamaha refused to admit that there is a problem?
CLUNK-B-GONE....no longer clunk-b-bad
Mostly, yes, although, this, along with the clutch issue, has now found its way to Yamaha, itself, and its dealers, although, many dealers continue to deny it. These same individuals who chose to change the springs are 100% glad they did, with several of them having done so even within the past few weeks. Everyone continues to enjoy having no more clunk along with a better ride & handling for a relatively small price to pay. Still, I agree that it shouldn't remove the responsibility from being solely that of Yamaha. This issue shouldn't become a topic of "debate" so much as understanding how to correct it, either on our own, or even better, by the dealer. Regardless, it is correctable.
Morg