Rear shock adjustment - Bandit 1200

[rocketman1]

I havent had my bike long, tried adjusting the rear shock top end with the piss arse little tool in the spare tool kit. Am I bloddy weak or are these top end adjustments bloody hard to move.
Whats the secret chaps?

[B12Teuton]

The spanner tool in the tool kit by itself is useless.  You have to stick the handle extension on the end of it.  Try not to stick it ALL the way on.  You want to leave the handle as long as possible to give max leverage.  

Hope that makes sense.

It takes a while to get the hang of it, but once you develop a technique, it works just fine.

[txbanditrydr]

And don't forget to wrap a shop towel or rag around the cheater lest you dink up the paint on the frame.... ask me how I know.  

[BANDIT#999]

And don't forget to wrap a shop towel or rag around the cheater lest you dink up the paint on the frame.... ask me how I know.  

Hmmm, I thought that's what knuckles were for , but I guess a rag would work too. Don't ask me how I know.....

[ray nielsen]

With my big hands I've had to remove the box above the battery and the battery to reach the shock adjustment slots.

It's a pain, but that's the only way I can fit the tool and extender into the opening.  

After the removal it's easy to adjust the shock pre-load.

[slo coach]

i adjusted my rear shock when i picked up a pillion for a long ride other day and i got a surprisehow quickly it happened on side of road,and yes it is stiff but you can use one of the other tools in the tool kit to extent  the handle a couple of times to get the extra leverage required to get it to click in  easily.to harden the shock i found the right hand side of the bike had the best  access.

cheers    slo coach

[BANDIT#999]

Hey slo coach are you in a tunnel?
Seems to be an echo, cho, ho, o, in here, ere, re, e!  

     

[slo coach]

hey 305 ,after 30 yers without a bike ,i've decided i'm an average rider ,which i'm happy with ,because i've always got bikes behind me ,and always got some in front,but driving this keyboard is harder than rocket science for me,thank goodness the administrators know i'm hopeless and over the next couple of days the echo will disapear.

cheers slo coach

[Red01]

What echo?  

[orionburn]

Adjusted the chain slack last night and thought I'd start messing around with the rear shock settings. Needless to say I'm having the same damn problem. The bastard does not want to move. Would shooting some penetrating lube in there help, or is it simply a matter of getting the right leverage on it?

I haven't stuck a light underneath the tail yet, but where abouts is the mark to determine what setting you're at?

[amgraham]

Don't know if it's the same on the second gens but on my 99 i was able to barely get my arm in the left side of the bike in front of the rubber flap to adjust mine.  I used the adjuster out of the tool kit without the cheater and it took some effort but from that position you're pulling towards yourself so it's a little better (to increase preload.. Mine is now on the stiffest setting and it's still too soft IMO).  I also found that the wrench needs to be cocked a little bit to contact just the adjustment ring, otherwise most of your effort goes straight into the shock body.

[gearjammer]

I did the same, sheared off some skin from the knuckles. Anybody know the best way to stiffen up the rear shock without having the lose $800+ on an ohlins

[txbanditrydr]

I'd like to suggest you start by Clicking Here