SuperShox
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,144
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
If a shock has 3" of travel, and you want to set the sag at 30-33% of total travel, wouldn't you have to measure along the angle of the shock? That's where you know there is 3" of travel.....
If you measure from the axle to the fender strut, to adjust sag, you would first have to find out the total travel of the axle to strut. Wouldn't the shock angle affect the maximum distance axle to strut?
In any case, it would still be directly proportional, or equal to, the 3" of the maximum shock travel....
It seems it would be easier to just measure the shock from center to center, top to top, or bottom to bottom....
What am I missing here...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Forgive my ignorance, I'm hoping you could explain this so I'll understand.
If a shock has 3" of travel, and you want to set the sag at 30-33% of total travel, wouldn't you have to measure along the angle of the shock? That's where you know there is 3" of travel.....
If you measure from the axle to the fender strut, to adjust sag, you would first have to find out the total travel of the axle to strut. Wouldn't the shock angle affect the maximum distance axle to strut?
In any case, it would still be directly proportional, or equal to, the 3" of the maximum shock travel....
It seems it would be easier to just measure the shock from center to center, top to top, or bottom to bottom....
What am I missing here...
If a shock has 3" of travel, and you want to set the sag at 30-33% of total travel, wouldn't you have to measure along the angle of the shock? That's where you know there is 3" of travel.....
If you measure from the axle to the fender strut, to adjust sag, you would first have to find out the total travel of the axle to strut. Wouldn't the shock angle affect the maximum distance axle to strut?
In any case, it would still be directly proportional, or equal to, the 3" of the maximum shock travel....
It seems it would be easier to just measure the shock from center to center, top to top, or bottom to bottom....
What am I missing here...
So you are saying total travel of 3 inches is what the shock travels. That would also mean that total axle/wheel travel would be more then 3 inches because shock is mounted at an angle and between axle and pivot point. I believe total travel of 3" is total axle/wheel travel. Unless you install taller/longer shocks. This is what I do. I lift bike to measure full travel. Then adjust preload for sag of ~30%.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
Suspension sag explained.
It is not really difficult. I measured my unloaded shock travel length with my bike on the jack, easier if you are by yourself. Explained by Progressive, applies to all shocks.
BTW Sky, what's the latest on your shock review?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kjuirr89jQ
It is not really difficult. I measured my unloaded shock travel length with my bike on the jack, easier if you are by yourself. Explained by Progressive, applies to all shocks.
BTW Sky, what's the latest on your shock review?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kjuirr89jQ
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 10
From: SF Bay area
BTW Sky, what's the latest on your shock review?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kjuirr89jQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kjuirr89jQ
Curious too. These were supposed to be the Ohlins killers... so I held off buying Ohlins.
Think I need to give Howard a call.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 1,903
From: East Coast, USA
One item that I find curious in regards to setting the sag on touring bikes is that no one talks about the weight of the saddlebags. Every picture/article or video I've seen of someone measuring sag on a touring bike has removed the saddlebags and did not consider the weight of said bags. When setting sag, I've weighed my saddlebags and added ballast to the tour-pak. Is the 35 lbs that my saddlebags and contents (rain-gear, sweatshirt, gloves, basic tools, tire repair kit, etc) weigh insignificant that I don't need to consider it when setting sag?
Last edited by LQQK_OUT; Aug 20, 2015 at 04:55 PM. Reason: fixed spelling mistake
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Super Shox
I thought of the same scenario with the weight of the saddlebags. I do know that u should add the weight of all your carry-ons to the total weight, at least the average u carry at all times. I think ohlins mentioned that and with the super shox I just added the total weight and went according to the graph