Rear Preload

[SP3inAZ]

Hi all - The owner's manual for my new 03 SP3 says that the rear unit spring preload is not adjustable, but there is clearly a threaded collar with two lock rings. So has anyone messed with the preload on their rear shock?

Thanks

Mark G

[SP3inAZ]

Hi all - The owner's manual for my new 03 SP3 says that the rear unit spring preload is not adjustable, but there is clearly a threaded collar with two lock rings. So has anyone messed with the preload on their rear shock?

Thanks

Mark G

[CanyonChaser]

Mark,

ABSOLUTELY! Setting sag is the first thing you should do. The easiest and cheapest way I've found is to put a jack under the motor and raise the rear wheel off the ground, with no weight on the swingarm. This makes moving the collars a lot easier without weight load.

Then, spray WD-40 or some other really light penetrating oil onto the threads. I like WD because it cleans off nice.

I have always used brass drifts and hammers with no problems, but be warned even the brass drift will leave small marks on the cog looking adjusters.

First, loosen the top cog looking thing, then tighten the bottom one. I only weigh in at 150 or so, but I raised my rear preload by a fair bit to get proper sag. (about 30 to 35mm or an 1 to 1.25 inches)

Remember that increasing preload does not make the shock stiffer, it just raises the rear of the bike and changes the amount of weight it takes to start compressing the shock. The stiffness of the shock will remain the same. To make the shock feel stiffer increase compression damping (already a smidge stiff for my tastes). If your a big guy, consider installing a new spring from Race-Tech.

Good luck,
dp

[CanyonChaser]

Mark,

ABSOLUTELY! Setting sag is the first thing you should do. The easiest and cheapest way I've found is to put a jack under the motor and raise the rear wheel off the ground, with no weight on the swingarm. This makes moving the collars a lot easier without weight load.

Then, spray WD-40 or some other really light penetrating oil onto the threads. I like WD because it cleans off nice.

I have always used brass drifts and hammers with no problems, but be warned even the brass drift will leave small marks on the cog looking adjusters.

First, loosen the top cog looking thing, then tighten the bottom one. I only weigh in at 150 or so, but I raised my rear preload by a fair bit to get proper sag. (about 30 to 35mm or an 1 to 1.25 inches)

Remember that increasing preload does not make the shock stiffer, it just raises the rear of the bike and changes the amount of weight it takes to start compressing the shock. The stiffness of the shock will remain the same. To make the shock feel stiffer increase compression damping (already a smidge stiff for my tastes). If your a big guy, consider installing a new spring from Race-Tech.

Good luck,
dp

[beers2u]

Any idea why the manual says not to adjust the preload??? I find that strange, especially since all their sales literature touts the fully adjustable suspension. Just curious.

[Kakolman]

Noticed the same ting on my TT600... Either way it's obviously adjustable, just like the S3. I've had to come to the conclusion that it has to do with some liability thing... So no one breaks there fingers playing around with the spring? Or no one has a bike fall on them? Can't figure out any other reason.

[SP3inAZ]

Thanks dp - Nice to see a littel action on thsi question - Do you have any idea what the shock ratio is? i.e. how much 1/4 inch change i preload moves the reare wheel? I'm trying to dial in sag, and I'd like to do it in as few iterations as possible.

Thanks

Mark G

[CanyonChaser]

Mark,

I truely have no idea. But, when you spin the top ring loose, you can make as many adjustments to the bottom ring as you need with little effort.

I just did mine in the garage with a floor jack and using the side-stand so dropping the bike back down again only took a few seconds. It only took about 15-20 minutes to get my rear sag set and that was start to finish time with me going slow and careful-like.

Good luck,
Dave

[nyspeedtriple]

I finally got a chance to adjust the preload on my 03 Speed 3 and what a difference it really makes. I didn't go too far with mine since I wanted to see what a half turn would do and it works great now. My ride is now a bit stiffer but the bike doesn't wallow and it's not so extreme that the bike jumps either. Now it's time to put some Woodcrafts on and finish the cafe bike conversion.

Scott

[rkjjeep]

Check this out -
http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_susp_settings/

Suggests 12mm thread for the 97 (and I assume through 2001) triple. Anyone with a stock '01 that can tell us how many threads are showing at top of shock - measure in mm, threads only. Thanks!