Author Topic: Newbie Question....Which way to increase Preload? (Read 7156 times)

Sandman9270 · « **on:** November 12, 2006, 03:47:34 PM »

I don't have a little owner's manual with the bike. I definitely need to increase the preload. If I am standing to the left of the bike, which way do I turn the adjuster....or....if I am standing over the bike, facing the front which direction to increse preload...clockwise or counter-clockwise?

Mongo · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2006, 08:21:30 PM »

clockwise for the front counter clockwise on the rear with 1 being the softest and 7 at stiffest!

elbandido · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2006, 03:18:29 PM »

Newbie mechanic question: How much of a difference does it make if you adjust the shock preload on the centerstand, rather than on its' sidestand. Because I'm having a difficult time increasing the preload with the provided C spanner tool, while on the sidestand.

Thanks,
elbandido

Mongo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2006, 03:57:05 PM »

Quote from: "elbandido"

Newbie mechanic question: How much of a difference does it make if you adjust the shock preload on the centerstand, rather than on its' sidestand. Because I'm having a difficult time increasing the preload with the provided C spanner tool, while on the sidestand.

Thanks,
elbandido

Are you using the cheater on the spaner tool? I found if you use the cheater in your toll kit and stuff a big screwdriver in the end of the cheater it clicks over very easy!

elbandido · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2006, 05:03:04 PM »

Thanks Mongo,

Forgot about that. I'll try that.

~elbandido

elbandido · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2006, 06:39:35 PM »

By the way, 31F is branded on the linkage rods/dogbones of my bandit, and wondered what this means?

The bike does look lowered to me(previous owner told me everything was stock), and has been commented before about the looks of it looking lowered. I'm looking into putting the stock linkage rods/dogbones back in, to get back to stock heighth if this is the case.

chupacabra · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2006, 08:10:21 PM »

I'd be looking for something to replace that stock 600 shock if I were you. On my G1 B6 the stock shock and spring is very weak.

Mongo · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2006, 08:32:40 PM »

Want to try a stock 1200 shock before I chuck it? Really not sure what the difference between the 1200 and 600 is but it might be worth a try!

elbandido · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2006, 10:23:18 PM »

Just getting brand new Diablo Stradas, I lost about an inch of seat heighth. (The old tire was a Dunlop 160/70, 17), The seat heighth being at about 28.5-29" now does feel too low for me, and I'm only 5'5". And wheel base is longer I'd like to raise the seat heighth at least 2" more. Could the sag be due to the weak B6 spring.

Mongo, I'm going to check the specs on the B12 shock to see if it's better or similar to what I have stock now, if it's better, I'd give it a try. Thanks for the offer. I want to regain the original geometry of my bandit, so I can carve the canyons better.

BANDIT#999 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2006, 12:03:18 AM »

Hey Elbandido, if those are lowering dogbones....I'm putting a Busa shock on my 1200 and might take them off your hands. Got any idea how much you'd want for them? I've got the shock ready to go, but I'll only be doing it over the winter so if your not in any hurry I can wait.

BANDIT #999

chupacabra · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2006, 07:29:48 AM »

Heres a picture of the G1 B6 shock on the left and the G1 B12 shock on the right

Stiffer spring and larger preload on the B12 shock, + it has damping adjustment.

Not the same shocks on the G2's but still somewhat the same .

Mongo · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2006, 09:38:10 AM »

Busa shock on the left & Second Gen. 1200 to the right. Very little difference from the first generation to the second other than the adjustment cage! Not really sure about spring rates.

elbandido · « **Reply #12 on:** November 14, 2006, 04:51:19 PM »

Bandit#999,
Yeah, I'm still trying to figure out the Dogbone situation. I took some pics of the dogbones marked 31F, but can't figure out how to post the pictures. Anymarkings on your stock dogbones/linkage rods?

Mongo, how many miles on your 2G B12 Shock, and how much would you give it up for?

Elbandido

BANDIT#999 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 14, 2006, 05:20:02 PM »

If you can attach the photos in an email I'll post them for you, then tell you later how to post your own.
Haven't got mine apart yet, cleaning up the race bike for the upcoming shows.

My address
Maximx@rogers.com

BANDIT#999 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 14, 2006, 07:42:14 PM »

Here's the pics elbandido as promised. I'll email you back in a while on how to do it.
Good shots by the way!