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Rear shock preload question

9738 Views 23 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  Crazyhawk
Hi,

I find the rear shock a bit soft and it feels like it bottoms out easily (at sensible speeds not going fast). In the manual it says 18 clicks is standard. I turned it counter clockwise until it stopped to start over and then counted 20 clicks turning clockwise to go a touch stiffer. some of the clicks were very faint so i had to guess a bit but its there or thereabouts. Its still not quite there for me.

I weigh about 110kg and realise this makes a difference but what have you all set yours at? Does anyone know how many clicks is max? It seemed to turn and turn and i didnt want to knacker it.

Kind regards john
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This is a personal setting. My guess is weight also the condition of the roads traveled. I have my setting about 4 or 5 clicks from the min setting. It works for me. I’ve adjusted it once almost 2 years ago and never thought about it again. I can’t tell you if it tops out I haven’t tried.
I weigh about 270 lbs and have mine set at 21 clicks.I sure wish rear shock had a rebound damping adjuster! I would add some more rebound.I plan on measuring sag to see where I am in the total travel range
I really don't find that the preload does anything. I have mine set to 0, but I have a Progressive spring installed for a F6B/Full wing.
I had a look online and on Goldwing and bagger forums apparently 25 clicks seems to be where everyone leaves it. I know ours is 80kg lighter than that for a start but I have set it at that and i will see how it feels. Apparently it tops out at 36 clicks so there is some wriggle room here.....
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keep mine at 0 even riding two up and we are heavy people. , never bottomed out and soaks up the bumps
Hi when you say 0 do you mean you backed it off completely or do you mean you left it as standard setting i.e. 18 clicks?
Hi when you say 0 do you mean you backed it off completely or do you mean you left it as standard setting i.e. 18 clicks?

turned it as far counter clockwise at it will go.
Turing it counter clockwise will provide a softer ride? I rode mine for the first time tonight and it was way too stiff for me. I am about 250 lbs and have never messed with any pre loads on any bike I have owned in 30 years. Usually just hop on and ride whatever its set at and get used to it. But I would like to try to get this to more of a plush ride.
I just today Upped my preload ajuster to 22 clicks- Thats the sweet spot now for me-Works better! Still want to measure sag on both ends-Should be 30-35 mm
I just today Upped my preload ajuster to 22 clicks- Thats the sweet spot now for me-Works better! Still want to measure sag on both ends-Should be 30-35 mm
22 clicks? When I was turning mine it felt like I only had about 5 to 10 clicks or so. I was listening for the actual click noise. Are they full turns or quarter turns? I like a bit softer ride.
I believe its two clicks per turn, i.e 180 degrees per click. At first I expected one full turn but on mine there's defenitely two distinct click sounds. Could be wrong but thats what i believe to be the case.
When turning the adjuster to it's lowest setting 0 clicks counter clockwise. Does it lower the bike any, or just make the suspension softer. Meaning that you have to be heavy enough to make it seem as if you're lower to the ground. Secondly, where is this knob? If anyone has a pic to show me it would be helpful.
Hope my question is understood, and that I am posting correctly. Still new to forum posting
Secondly, where is this knob? If anyone has a pic to show me it would be helpful.
it is under the left side cover, just in front of the battery. pull the cover off carefully.
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I measured sag on my bike, Way too much! 70 mm on front @ about 45mm rear if I turn rebound to FULL firm. Installing stiffer front springs @ fork oil change now. Oil has lots of wear particles. Everyone should at least change fork oil at 12,000 mo or so!
I measured sag on my bike, Way too much! 70 mm on front @ about 45mm rear if I turn preload to FULL firm. Installing stiffer front springs @ fork oil change now. Oil has lots of wear particles. Everyone should at least change fork oil at 12,000 mo or so!
I measured sag on my bike, Way too much! 70 mm on front @ about 45mm rear if I turn preload to FULL firm. Installing stiffer front springs @ fork oil change now. Oil has lots of wear particles. Everyone should at least change fork oil at 12,000 mi or so!
I have found 12 clicks clockwise from soft to be the winner for me 38 psi front and rear (unless we are going to be riding the twisties then it's 14 total clicks clockwise) with gear I'm 200lbs
proper set up suspension is about keeping the wheels/tires down on the pavement, more than it is about keeping your ass up in the air. too firm is not necessarily better, nor is too soft. either will give erractic tire contact which does affect handling. when you have it dialed in right, you will feel the suspension working and will be able to carve clean lines w/o wallowing or jarring. every bike, rider , setup is unique. it takes some tweaking to get it right.
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