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Shock Adjustment

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Old Jul 15, 2007 | 04:56 PM
  #1  
Bluerose
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Default Shock Adjustment

Hubby and I got out there to adjust the shocks and found that they were adjusted 'IN' as far as they could go. Does that sound right?

How far out is OK to go?
 
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Old Jul 15, 2007 | 05:03 PM
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F117ewo
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Default RE: Shock Adjustment

I adjusted mine last week. Actually, I adjusted them several times. Still not sure if I'm doing it right. The first time I put the wrench on the shock and the whole shock turned. I subsequently learned that the shock body needs to stay stationary while the end it turned. I did that too. Actually, I turned the shock body and held the end cap stationary. That seemed to actually adjust the shock. Each time though, the shock rod (with the locking nut) turned too. Is this right?

Mine is supposedly adjusted full soft now. It feels good riding solo. Have to take the wife for a spin soon so I can judge the ride quality. She kept complaining about getting kicked off the seat every time I hit a bump. The two of us only weigh 300 (together).

I don't know what the OUT limit is. On the IN side, the shock stopped turning. That told me I was at the limit of adjustment.

Jake
 
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Old Jul 15, 2007 | 05:10 PM
  #3  
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darkside
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Default RE: Shock Adjustment

Check out this site it explains things better than I probably can ,since it has pictures. www.fatbillscustoms.com
 
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Old Jul 15, 2007 | 05:19 PM
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Default RE: Shock Adjustment

Only took about ten times for that to work.This site is horrible right now[:@] Hope this helps.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2007 | 05:20 PM
  #5  
Bluerose
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Default RE: Shock Adjustment

ORIGINAL: F117ewo

I adjusted mine last week. Actually, I adjusted them several times. Still not sure if I'm doing it right. The first time I put the wrench on the shock and the whole shock turned. I subsequently learned that the shock body needs to stay stationary while the end it turned. I did that too. Actually, I turned the shock body and held the end cap stationary. That seemed to actually adjust the shock. Each time though, the shock rod (with the locking nut) turned too. Is this right?

Mine is supposedly adjusted full soft now. It feels good riding solo. Have to take the wife for a spin soon so I can judge the ride quality. She kept complaining about getting kicked off the seat every time I hit a bump. The two of us only weigh 300 (together).

I don't know what the OUT limit is. On the IN side, the shock stopped turning. That told me I was at the limit of adjustment.

Jake
So how many turns did you do? Out or in?
 
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Old Jul 15, 2007 | 05:25 PM
  #6  
Bluerose
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Default RE: Shock Adjustment

ORIGINAL: darkside

Check out this site it explains things better than I probably can ,since it has pictures. www.fatbillscustoms.com

Good info. I think I only want them out 1 turn.... Hubby has them out 4 turns...I'm thinking that is goin gto be wrong.
 
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Old Jul 15, 2007 | 05:27 PM
  #7  
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Default RE: Shock Adjustment

Bluerose if you go to www.fatbillscustoms.com and click on the preload shocks section it breaks down everything and gives you a ballpark weight table for setting your shocks to your particular load.
 
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Old Jul 16, 2007 | 07:33 PM
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F117ewo
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Default RE: Shock Adjustment

I think it took me four full turns to get to the end stop. Still riding solo and things are fine. We'll see what happens when the wife gets on. According to their table, I might need to stiffen it up a little bit. Thanks for the info Darkside. It really helps to see the pics.

Jake
 
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Old Jul 17, 2007 | 12:19 PM
  #9  
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Default RE: Shock Adjustment

ORIGINAL: darkside

Bluerose if you go to www.fatbillscustoms.com and click on the preload shocks section it breaks down everything and gives you a ballpark weight table for setting your shocks to your particular load.
Thanks for the site, that's great info. I'm going to give mine a try tonight.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2007 | 01:52 PM
  #10  
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Default RE: Shock Adjustment

I adjusted mine about 6 months ago. If I remember, the stock setting was very soft and when my wife was on the back the bike would bottom out on big bumps. I turned it just over one full turn to stiffen it and it seemed a lot better. Didn't seem to cause any problems when riding solo. I gotta admit, getting under the bike with the shock wrench wasn't the easiest operation I ever did. You just gotta be patient, and make sure to mark the top of the shocks with a marker so you get them both in the same new position.
 
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