Author Topic: B12 shock adjustment..... (Read 5968 times)

suzbnd12 · « **on:** July 07, 2005, 03:18:54 PM »

Hey gang. Anybody else out there have trouble adjusting the preload settings on their B12? I tried the wrench and the little handle that slips over it out of the toolkit but it didn't seem to want to budge. Maybe I need a bit of cheater pipe over the handle. Any comments or suggestions?

Also, are we really supposed to be able to read those tiny little numbers on the rebound adjuster? I guess I'm getting old cause I can't tell one number from the other.

Suzbnd12
Conroe, TX
'05 B12 w/600 miles

Red01 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 07, 2005, 08:22:48 PM »

Don't recall mine ever giving me trouble, but then mine was only adjusted once, then I replaced it with a Hayabusa shock, so my memory my be a little dusty on that one.

Woody · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2005, 01:33:16 AM »

you can use the spark plug tool supplied in the tool kit as a slip-over cheater bar.

Worked fine for me!
it's a bit fiddly but possible without removing anything.
Good luck!

tacoman · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2005, 02:03:22 PM »

You may want to try shooting a little WD40 or similar on the collar to help it slide. Try not to get too much on the teeth so your wrench doesn't slip.

Steve · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2005, 04:56:23 AM »

at the expense of possibly stating the obvious, have the rear wheel off the ground when you make the adjustment. I use a small cheater on the tool, and have to look for a good grip on the collar, but it is more of a nuisanse than a real problem.

If you have weight on the rear wheel, that could be a problem.

Steve

jesjames9598 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2005, 07:41:21 AM »

Do your self a favour and get rid of the standard shock

Old_n_Slow · « **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2005, 10:05:16 AM »

I've got the same grief with mine, preload won't budge. Did you figure it out yet? And, have you found out which numbers are which for the rebound? I have old eyes too and 2 pairs of reading glasses didn't help!

suzbnd12 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2005, 10:26:13 AM »

Yeah Old. I got mine to budge. I found that if you slide the slip on handle from the toolkit only an inch over the shock adjustment tool handle, it gives you enough leverage to make the thing move. For at home, I've got an 18" length of 3/4" ID galvanized pipe as a cheater bar that works really good.

On the numbers on the bottom of the shock, I've found that rotating the adjuster 1/8th of a turn towards the left side of the bike helps you see the number better. Also, if I put the bike in the shade instead of the direct sunlight and use a flashlight on the adjuster, it helps me see the number much better.

Us old guys sometimes have to resort to unique ways of approching our problems. Good luck to you.

Bill
'05 B12S

oremike · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2005, 11:13:07 AM »

I found the stock tool too fidley for me so I used a pair of channel lock plyers, just be careful not to bend the little ears over.
Mike M.

Old_n_Slow · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2005, 04:52:16 PM »

I finally got the adjuster to move! I did the smart thing and told my son to do it!

suzbnd12 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2005, 08:23:53 PM »

Way to go Old!!! Never do anything that you can get another younger person to do!!!! With age comes wisdom and treachery!!!!!!

Bill
Conroe. TX

PitterB4 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 23, 2005, 09:00:28 AM »

Quote from: "Red01"

Don't recall mine ever giving me trouble, but then mine was only adjusted once, then I replaced it with a Hayabusa shock, so my memory my be a little dusty on that one.

It still moves relatively easily, Paul.

Red01 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 23, 2005, 09:02:01 PM »

Thanks Rob, glad to hear it!

suzbnd12 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 24, 2005, 01:32:40 PM »

Paul - tell me what the advantages are of going with the Hayabusa shock.

Bill
'05 B12S

Old_n_Slow · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2005, 04:56:24 PM »

FWIW, In my racing days I rode a Can-Am, made by Bombardier of Canada, and many small adjustments were made by a slotted (blade) screwdriver. One of the bright ideas a Can-Am engineer came up with was make the slot fit the shape and width of a quarter. I did get stuck on the trail once because I needed a Canadian quarter! Now that the shock on my B12 is set I needed to adjust the pre-load on my forks, and whattaya know! The slot is a perfect fit for an American quarter and it works like a charm! Be sure to put one in your tool kit.