'02 Seat Rail Recall

Hello All,

I stopped in to my local stealer to pick up $70 worth of VTEC lifters today and asked about the seat rail and PCV recalls. Fortunately, my VIN wasn't part of the PCV recall. The service manager told me that they'd inspected a slew of bikes for this problem, but had yet to find a leaky one.

As for the seat rail, that's a must-have. Striping the bike down for a good spring service uncovered the fact that my rail was broken right through at the point where the Peterbilt fender attaches. That's probably good news, in that now they have to replace the entire rail as opposed to jury rigging a brace.

The bad news is that he told me that he couldn't order the parts until he saw the bike. That means that the poor thing will have to sit there dormant for a full week. Oh, well. The last of the snow exited my yard today, but it's still a bit raw to ride. I'm not Canadian, afterall.

That said, BE SURE to have your '02s checked out for the stator, seat rail and PCV recalls before their respective end-dates run out.

can you tell me exactly where it cracked so i can inspect mine

your help would be appreciated

thanks

jvafyr, Apr 7 2005, 10:23 PMcan you tell me exactly where it cracked so i can inspect mine

your help would be appreciated

thanks

You'll have to remove the rear fairing to see the area that's the subject of the recall. The rail in question is the large, black, rectangular frame member that travels longitudinally under the center of the seat. Viewing from the back of the bike, look into the opening of the rail. The fender bolts at this point. The freakin' thing is so big and heavy, that even a steel rail can't handle it! Mine was very obvious. Yours may only have signs of fatigue.

thanks for the info

I took mine in for this they inspected it and thought it was ok, when they took the fender off to install the reinforcing plate the rail separated.

It took my dealer 3 times to get the correct support the first one came in damaged the second was an unmodified one.
The service manager had to call Honda and have them hand pick one that was not damaged and was of the new reinforced type.

02VFR, Apr 8 2005, 06:26 AMI took mine in for this they inspected it and thought it was ok, when they took the fender off to install the reinforcing plate the rail separated.

It took my dealer 3 times to get the correct support the first one came in damaged the second was an unmodified one.
The service manager had to call Honda and have them hand pick one that was not damaged and was of the new reinforced type.

Maybe I should plan on my bike being there 1 month instead of 1 week. wink.gif

Does this involve the ENTIRE rages of 2002 VIN's???

I spoke with HONDA USA and they told me that my bike was not within the recall range. (I'm sure you're not surprised to learn that I don't trust them.)

dry.gif

If you have a link or a line on the service bulletin that announced the recall, I'd sure appreciate the reference....

jtwolf, Apr 8 2005, 09:39 AMDoes this involve the ENTIRE rages of 2002 VIN's???

I spoke with HONDA USA and they told me that my bike was not within the recall range.  (I'm sure you're not surprised to learn that I don't trust them.)

dry.gif

If you have a link or a line on the service bulletin that announced the recall, I'd sure appreciate the reference....

It was my understanding that all '02s were affected, but I could be wrong. I got a letter in the mail. You may want to take a peek at your rail to see if it is damaged. Honda's solution is either a stiffening plate or the total replacement of the rail assembly.

Bought my '02 used. When I finally got brave enough to take the rear apart, found the dealer could have done less of a hack job. If your handy, ask if you can do it, and e-mail them dated pics, to show the work was complete.

If anyone has a copy of the recall that they can scan and upload it, I wuld appreciate it. Here in Edmonton (canada) noone seems to have heard of this recall and I can't find reference to it on the honda site either, unless I'm looking in the wrong place.

Thanks

The rail recall doesn't effect all '02 bikes, but I can't remember the VIN numbers that were effected. Mine was one of those that were recalled and I had a new frame rail fitted as the rear had split.