How to adjust rear shocker?

[dougl]

hi, thanks for helping, so what should I do with rear shock, can you give a rough idea? like loosen up the rear shock or tight it

The guys in the video above are 200-220 lbs. You are 127. My opinion is you need a lighter spring on the shock. I don’t know how you go about doing that. Showa should be able to supply a lighter spring.

First, you need to determine the current settings. What are they? If the preload is at its minimum, all the way counterclockwise, and both dampings are 3 or less, and the rear suspension isn’t moving, there’s not much you can do. Adding preload will make it harder.

The non half a$$ way to approach this is to measure the static sag. You can look up what this means but basically you have to be able to lift the rear wheel off the ground to do it. Any bike shop should be able to help you with this. The sag with you on the bike should be about 30% of the rear suspension’s travel, or 30-35 mm for your bike since the travel is 102 mm. If it’s much less than 30, you need a lighter spring. If it’s close to 30, you could just live with it, and set the damping to soft (2.5-3).

 

[atomsplitter]

The guys in the video above are 200-220 lbs. You are 127. My opinion is you need a lighter spring on the shock. I don’t know how you go about doing that. Showa should be able to supply a lighter spring.

First, you need to determine the current settings. What are they? If the preload is at its minimum, all the way counterclockwise, and both dampings are 3 or less, and the rear suspension isn’t moving, there’s not much you can do. Adding preload will make it harder.

The non half a$$ way to approach this is to measure the static sag. You can look up what this means but basically you have to be able to lift the rear wheel off the ground to do it. Any bike shop should be able to help you with this. The sag with you on the bike should be about 30% of the rear suspension’s travel, or 30-35 mm for your bike since the travel is 102 mm. If it’s much less than 30, you need a lighter spring. If it’s close to 30, you could just live with it, and set the damping to soft (2.5-3).

+1. Setting the static sag will tell you if it's over sprung. The damping rate is how fast the shock returns to normal. If it's over damped the shock isn't extending fast enough and the next bump feels hard. Same with compression daming only the opposite direction it limits how fast the shock will compress. If you take all the damping out the shocks act like a pogo stick. Properly setup the bike should feel compliant and planted regardless of road condition.

 

[Wadejesu]

Here ya go

Reminds me of an old song by Ray Charles and Hank Williams JR, " 2 Old Cats Like Us"

 

[Wadejesu]

Hi...You will find the preload setting at the rear is set on the very bottom setting from the factory. This is because it is to be adjusted for the weight of the rider....If you squat down on the left side/rear and look up just in front of the rear hugger (the small fender in front of the rear wheel) you will see the preload adjuster. Turn it clockwise all the way until it stops. You will notice a small 'click' as it does a rotation. Take it all the way to the stop then turn it back again for 9 clicks..you will be fine now.

Easier way is to remove the black adjuster and use 14mm wrench or socket, however no clicks will be heard

Hi...You will find the preload setting at the rear is set on the very bottom setting from the factory. This is because it is to be adjusted for the weight of the rider....If you squat down on the left side/rear and look up just in front of the rear hugger (the small fender in front of the rear wheel) you will see the preload adjuster. Turn it clockwise all the way until it stops. You will notice a small 'click' as it does a rotation. Take it all the way to the stop then turn it back again for 9 clicks..you will be fine now.

Another way to adjust is to remove black plastic knob and use 14mm socket or wrench, however you won't hear any clicks, same applies clockwise firmer, counterclockwise softer.