Adjusting Unknown Suspension. Please help!!
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Fall River, MA
Adjusting Unknown Suspension. Please help!!
When I originally bought the bike, it was lowered about 2 inches. But now I want to raise it up a little bit so that I can ride 2up without bottoming out. The only issue is that I do not know what kind of lowering suspension was put in. I am hoping that someone will recogonize the shocks and be familiar with raising and lowering it. Thanks Everyone!!
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: Davenport, Iowa
RE: Adjusting Unknown Suspension. Please help!!
Instructions:
1. Determine whether your suspension is too stiff or too soft for your liking. Take into consideration whether or not you will be riding solo or 2-up most of the time.
2. With a white paint pen, put a mark on the face of your adjuster plate at the 6 o’clock position. This will be your starting position. Do this to both shocks (See Picture #1).
3. While holding the adjuster plate in place with the spanner wrench, break the adjuster nut free from the adjuster plate by turning the nut counterclockwise (See Picture # 4).
If you are adjusting for a heavier weight (stiffer ride) (See Picture #2):
A. Continue to turn the adjuster nut counterclockwise (the nut will move towards the front of the bike) until it stops.
B. Now using the spanner wrench, turn the adjuster plate counterclockwise no more than 4 complete turns. Count the number of times the white mark crosses the 6 o’clock position.
C. While holding the adjuster plate in place with the spanner, tighten the adjuster nut up against the adjuster plate by turning the nut clockwise.
D. Now repeat the exact process with the other shock.
If you are adjusting for a lighter weight (softer ride) (See Picture #2):
A. Now using the spanner wrench, turn the adjuster plate clockwise no more than 4 complete turns. Count the number of times the white mark crosses the 6 o’clock position.
B. While holding the adjuster plate in place with the spanner, tighten the adjuster nut up against the adjuster plate by turning the nut clockwise.
C. Now repeat the exact process with the other shock.
Note: - When you turn the adjuster nut - only the adjuster nut should turn.
- When you turn the front nut - only the front nut should turn.
- When you turn the adjuster plate - the canister might turn too. Some people find it easier to turn the adjuster plate and the canister at the same time.
- If the canister turns or not - it doesn't matter - the canister does not affect the outcome.
There are a limited number of threads. Count the number of threads visible. (See Picture #3)
Use the "rule of thumb" chart below:
- 4 threads = Preloaded for a softest spring (<180 lbs)
- 3 threads = Preloaded for a softer spring (181-237 lbs)
- 2 threads = Preloaded for a softer spring (238-293 lbs)
- 1 threads = Preloaded for a stiffer spring (294-349 lbs)
- 0 threads = Preloaded for a stiffest spring (>350 lbs)
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: Davenport, Iowa
RE: Adjusting Unknown Suspension. Please help!!
the instructions are the smae for your bike, just the pictures are of newer shocks... same set up , you just have a hiem joint end instead. I did mine, and didnt have a shock spanner wrench so I used the one off of my bench grinder, hope this helps..
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Fall River, MA
RE: Adjusting Unknown Suspension. Please help!!
Thanks so much barhpr. I'm getting sick and tired of bottoming out. But I have one more question.
Which of the shocks actually adjusts the height of the bike? That's my biggest concern. I was under the impression that one of the shocks is for preload weight and the other is to adjust the height.
Which of the shocks actually adjusts the height of the bike? That's my biggest concern. I was under the impression that one of the shocks is for preload weight and the other is to adjust the height.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: Davenport, Iowa
RE: Adjusting Unknown Suspension. Please help!!
Actually there is 2 adjustments for each shock, they do the same thing and just work as a team..
type 1 adjustment is just ride height the shorter you make the shock, the higher the ride height will be,,you can actually leave the lowering kit on and take it back up to stock ride height (adjustment at the rear heim joint)
type 2 adjustment is preload, how stiff the shock will actually ride, when it is at your ride height (adjustment at the rear of the shock body)
** make sure what you change on 1 shock, you do the exact same to the other one **
heres a few helpfull links
how to install and adjust the shocks http://www.burlybrand.com/instructio...ble/28-255.pdf
how to adjust preload http://fatbillscustoms.com/
Sorry Im alot better at doing than explaining [:@]
type 1 adjustment is just ride height the shorter you make the shock, the higher the ride height will be,,you can actually leave the lowering kit on and take it back up to stock ride height (adjustment at the rear heim joint)
type 2 adjustment is preload, how stiff the shock will actually ride, when it is at your ride height (adjustment at the rear of the shock body)
** make sure what you change on 1 shock, you do the exact same to the other one **
heres a few helpfull links
how to install and adjust the shocks http://www.burlybrand.com/instructio...ble/28-255.pdf
how to adjust preload http://fatbillscustoms.com/
Sorry Im alot better at doing than explaining [:@]
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
