Rear Preload Adjustment, '98 Sprint

[bajajoaquin]

(Foreward: I did a search, and didn't find anything, so my apologies if this has been covered.)

I'm trying to set the rear preload on my '98 Sprint Executive, and I'm not sure how to do it. The manual says that my rear shock is rebount-adjustable only. There is a dial at the top of the shock that seems to be damping adjustment.

The manual says to go to the dealer for preload adjustment.

However, there is a fitting that comes off the top of the shock and goes to another fitting under the seat. It looks like a remote preload adjuster. However, when I crank it, it doesn't seem to do much.

Is this a compression adjustment that I'm not supposed to have, either?

Help!

[TrumpetSprint]

The adjustment under the seat is the pre-load. the other is the rebound dampening. I'm at a loss as to why the pre-load is recommended as a dealer adjustment. It's the one adjustment on the Sprint Exec that would most likely need to be changed (as with the Trophy series, Bags empty or full, one up or two up touring).

j98sprint, the forum moderator, has a like model with some serious mileage. Any insight as to why?

[j98sprint]

Probably just trying to drum up business for the dealer. The pre-load adjuster under the seat on my bike doesn't seem to do too much either. It's most likely because the suspension is way past it's prime at 76,000 miles. I don't have any problem with control, the bike is stable and predictable but it sure doesn't handle like a sportbike.

Mr. Hinckleys glowing reviews of suspension upgrades tell me that's the way to go. Somewhere down the road it's in the cards.

Sorry I couldn't help you more. By the way, are you in Northern Ireland or does "orange" refer the citris?

j98sprint

[j98sprint]

Probably just trying to drum up business for the dealer. The pre-load adjuster under the seat on my bike doesn't seem to do too much either. It's most likely because the suspension is way past it's prime at 76,000 miles. I don't have any problem with control, the bike is stable and predictable but it sure doesn't handle like a sportbike.

Mr. Hinckleys glowing reviews of suspension upgrades tell me that's the way to go. Somewhere down the road it's in the cards.

Sorry I couldn't help you more. By the way, are you in Northern Ireland or does "orange" refer the citris?

j98sprint

[sailfish]

I bought a used shock assy. last summer and the preload adjuster that came with it did not work. I didn't bother to find out why since I had to swap springs anyway, so I swapped over my working adjuster. They are hydraulic and whatever fails must do so internally as the failed unit was not leaking.

[Hinckley]

On 2005-05-10 09:55, j98sprint wrote:
Mr. Hinckleys glowing reviews of suspension upgrades tell me that's the way to go. Somewhere down the road it's in the cards.

j98sprint

You won't be disappointed........

[bajajoaquin]

Sorry I couldn't help you more. By the way, are you in Northern Ireland or does "orange" refer the citris?

j98sprint

I'm in Orange County, California. Under protest, I might add. The whole "orange curtain" thing is just a way to inject a little humor into the situation.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm likely to get a new shock, since I'm no lightweight, and I also plan on riding two-up.

Is the stock shock rebuildable? Is it even worth it? My only real desire for sticking with it would be to keep the remote preload adjuster.

Opinions?