Noticed the other day that my lower a- arms, where the tabs are welded for shock mounts, that the paint is coming off, right above the welds. That indicates to me that the metal is working, and could fatigue and break. Has anybody heard of this, or has it happened to anyone w/ 650 or 750i's? The Fronts are fine, this is just happening with both lower rears. Any help or advice will be appreciated!!

 

I really did not put any thought into it being the metal flexing. I have had my brute for almost a year. I think I first noticed it last summer. I guess I should keep my eye on it. If it is a problem I wonder if Kawasaki will fix it. So now we know of two brutes doing this. Are there any others? Bluelight have you posted this anywhere else like NYROC?

 

Oh yeah.... I have a pic in my profile that shows it pretty good on the left side rear.

 

My 04 grizz is doing the same thing ,I thought it was bad powder coating or something to do with the proccess. I like the looks of those Dirt Tamers. How do you like them , are they good in the mud ?

 

i think that it is just slag from the welding that was not removed before paint. these are mostly MIG welded and this process leaves a little welding slag that can come off later.

monty

 

No, thats not slag. The metal on either side of a weld is weaker. But it still should not be weak enough to to flex enough to blow the paint off. That is why structual items are painted or powder coated. So when the metal " works ", it can be detected. Kodiak, yours looks just like mine, but I only have like 150 miles on mine.

 

I love the dirt tamers doggy. They do pretty good in the mud. I have not had them in real deep stuff. It is hard to come by here in Utah. They seem like great tires so far.
Monty have you noticed this problem on yours. I have looked at mine and I cant see where the metal has flexed. But I have lost some paint mainly on the left side. I do know it has not gotten worse. I have around 850 miles on it. The paint came off around 150-200 miles. I really hope this is not going to be a problem...... it would suck to have that break on a trail. I am going to Moab next week. I will be flexing it pretty hard on some trails. I will keep my eye on it to see if I notice any changes.

 

BlueLightSpecial,

I'm going to disagree with you on your point as to why metal is painted. If it's steel, as the a-arms are, they will rust.
Paint and powder coat will prevent rust as long as it stay on.

Look at the 4 stroke motocross bikes - unpainted aluminum frames. It's not needed unless you don't like the look of aluminum.

 

Mine is doing the same thing on a few of the welds. I hadn't put any thought into why it was doing it either. I've only got 270km on it.

 

both of my 06 650i quads have done that to i touched them up with black paint neither have done it again i think it is from assembly when they tighten the bolts it flexes the metal a little bit and cracks the paint then gets a little rust behind it then the cracked paint comes off it also did it on my a-arm mounts to i think you are ok