I bought some adjustable rear shocks. They are set at 2 right now. They adjust from 1-5. What would be the setting to lower the bike the most?

 

i would think setting one will be softest and should make the bike sit lower when your on it , don't think it will make much of a differance on the side stand tho

 

Higher number is probably stiffer but best way to verify is to look at the detent positions. If the pre-loaded spring is shorter (more compressed), it's stiffer. I always like to start at 3 then play from there.

Edit: I totally missed the actual question, for which I should be censured strongly.

 

They are the same length so I guess I will have to put them on and check from there

 

That's what I Will do

 

I geek out on this stuff a bit but if you compress a coil, the distance between coils will reduce. So take a metric ruler and measure the distance between coils at the 1 and 5 position - may tell you quite readily :-) But your spine will tell you where it wants to be.

 

When you say "adjustable" do you know what aspect of the shock is actually adjustable? The usual possibilities would be Rebound, Compression and Preload. Most shocks have adjustable preload, the other settings generally only are used with higher end performance shocks, although not exclusively. Some high-end shocks may also have a threaded collar on the spring perch, which does allow for ride height adjustment.

As far as actually lowering your bike, you really need to use shorter shocks, unless you have adjustable spring perches, which are rare. The other settings really have more to do with the firmness of the shock and the intended amount of weight being carried, not with ride height.

 

Ah, I just looked at your attached picture, sorry...

Yes, it looks like they are simply adjustable for preload. As others have already mentioned, this is a setting intended to allow the shock to have it's intended range of motion with a typical weight loading. It won't affect static ride height noticeably, but could slightly affect the height of the bike when you're sitting on it (but not to the degree that longer or shorter shocks would).

 

Agreed, you bought adjustable rebound shocks, not adjustable ride height.

 

1 - softer / 5 - stiffer..., tighten down to shorten

Irrespective - set the sag correctly - otherwise, what's the purpose of springs / shocks - simply compress a couple of coils and weld them together

Not that I'm even remotely suggesting it

Ghost