Triumphrat

jm

I suspect that if I'd been patient enough to buy a bike with a manual and a toolkit I'd already know the answer to this, but...

How do I adjust the rear preload on my 1997 Trophy 900? I think I've found the collar for it, but I can't get a grip on the thing to turn it. I'd really less preload for riding around without baggage or passenger, so pavement cracks will stop rattling my teeth.

Thanks!

The booklet on mine says that I should be looking at the bottom of the shock when it is actually under the seat in front of the battery.

English.

Seeker

The only way I ever could figure is that you have to pull the rear wheel to get enough room to use a shock adjustment spanner.

I've tried it without and simply couldn't get enough leverage with the limited amount of space.

Edit: I just realized that you didn't mention if you HAD a spanner or not. You need at least one (two are recommended). You could get them at a TRiumph dealer or places on the WWW....such as here:

Cheap Spanner

-or-

Adjustable Expensive Spanner

[ This message was edited by: Seeker on 2004-07-17 16:15 ]

I just checked my Haynes manual and although mine is adjusted under the seat, there are different ways depending upon the vin number of your bike.

What's your last 5 digits on your vin?

Seeker

Now I am curious as to the two different methods in your manual.

Could you describe them both briefly?

I know that this was one major complaint of the early Trophy owners. But I never knew (or heard) if Triumph changed it to answer those compaints. It sounds as if they did. I'd like to know just how they did that.

According to Haynes, Trophys from vin 29156 to 55071 have a preload adjuster in the form of a slotted collar. Vin up to 29155 and from vin 55072 (my '99 is 88635) have an adjuster under the seat in front of the battery and uses a simple 10mm ratchet to adjust it.

There is also a rebound damping on some Trophys: vin 29156 to 55071 adjusts with a flat-blade screwdriver on the right side of the shock. Vin up to 29155 adjusts by turning the dial anti-clockwise ONLY. The dial must not be rotated clockwise.

It seems that after 55071 there is no adjustments for rebound, only for preload.

Seeker

Thanks for the clarification.

My Haynes manual was bought when I bought my bike so the newer style adjuster isn't mentioned.

Now I wonder if it would be cost effective to retrofit my '96 with the "under the seat" adjuster? I'll bet it's a tough job and isn't going to be cheap!

PS: Here's a link to an interesting device for adjusting the ride height:

http://www.bikerschoice.co.uk/rha/

Barneycanoe

I have a 99 VIN 78200 something, It has rebound damping adjustment