Need information, A measuring tape, some time, and the 2004-2009 Rocket III. (Added photos of cats!)

[oteczdmitriy]

I’ve just recently fitted YSS to my R111, so still experimenting. At the moment, from standard setting. No ride height, three full turns off on spring compression, 3 clicks on dampening.
So at the moment, the steering is slow and I physically have to counter steer to get her to drop in to a corner! So I’m adding two and half full turns on the ride height.
It’s ok two up, but the rear suspension is still a little harsh, so I’m going to take out another full one and half turns on compression. I’ll then add more or less clicks on the dampening as or when the long haired RSM is on the back.
Many bikes ago I had a 1200 Daytona, I went to the UK’s WP importers. They fitted a set of their fork springs and a rear shock which had all the bells and whistles! They then performed that “Black Art” of set up, I was honestly gob smacked! It turned Triumphs bike into something else, the steering was sharp but not extreme, compliant comfortable and totally positive.
They even gave me the setting for when I went out with camping gear or “her in doors”.

The suspension stiffness does not depend on the spring preload adjustment, even if you completely loosen it, the spring will still be loose but it will not become softer. Correct me if I'm wrong, but YSS shock absorbers only have adjustments for spring preload and rebound, and I get a bit confused when I hear about damping. Regarding the rebound adjustment, 15 clicks are too stiff, resulting in more confident steering, while 5.4.3 clicks are softer but not as soft as the OEM, resulting in less confident steering.

 

[Bunny Burrell]

The suspension stiffness does not depend on the spring preload adjustment, even if you completely loosen it, the spring will still be loose but it will not become softer. Correct me if I'm wrong, but YSS shock absorbers only have adjustments for spring preload and rebound, and I get a bit confused when I hear about damping. Regarding the rebound adjustment, 15 clicks are too stiff, resulting in more confident steering, while 5.4.3 clicks are softer but not as soft as the OEM, resulting in less confident steering.

Like I said a “Black Art”! You are right YSS only have Preload, Rebound and ride height adjustment. But getting all three to work in unison is the magic trick. The WP shock I had on my 1200 Daytona also had Compression adjustment as well, even more confusing!
I’ll start by adjusting the ride height and take it from there. As I have them at the moment, there doesn’t really seem to be much give and a bit harsh going over a bit of rough tarmac. I always found by experience and told by WP, the less preload, the softer the ride.
So for the time being, I’ll carry on with the route I’m going and report back soonest.

 

[oteczdmitriy]

Well, I'm still ready to find out the measurements from the front rail bolt to the front wheel axle on the 2004 to 2009 Rocket.

 

[atomsplitter]

The suspension stiffness does not depend on the spring preload adjustment, even if you completely loosen it, the spring will still be loose but it will not become softer. Correct me if I'm wrong, but YSS shock absorbers only have adjustments for spring preload and rebound, and I get a bit confused when I hear about damping. Regarding the rebound adjustment, 15 clicks are too stiff, resulting in more confident steering, while 5.4.3 clicks are softer but not as soft as the OEM, resulting in less confident steering.

Damping is the speed rate at which the spring is allowed to compress or rebound. If the compression damping is set at the factory then how fast the spring can compress is a function of the oil flow through an orifice/valve. If rebound damping adjustment is available it determines how fast the spring will return to full extension and you can adjust that rate. The more damping you add the slower return to full extension happens. The less damping the faster the spring moves to full extension. A 'plush' ride where the bumps are absorbed and chassis is the least upset is the goal. Allowing the spring to return to full extension faster means the spring is ready to absorb the next hit sooner. With a lot of rebound damping dialed in the spring can 'pack up' over a series of fast bumps since it's travel speed to full extension is limited by the flow rate through the orifice/valve. The spring's compression rate is unaffected since it's determined by the given preload and factory damping settings, but once you run out of spring then it's like riding a hardtail.

The KEY to all this is the shock travel limit, the more travel the softer the ride can be since there's more to work with. My Bobber has 3.25 inches of shock travel compared to 4.1 inches for a 2009 Roadster. A dirt bike can have as much as 14 inches of travel. The preload is used to MAXIMIZE the amount of travel available by reducing the amount of static sag (the loss of travel that occurs when you sit on the bike, i.e. loaded vs. unloaded). Setting the static sag so there is more travel available means there is more bump absorption available vs. less shock travel. If most of your road travel is on smooth pavement then it doesn't really matter how much suspenstion you have since there's not a lot of hits, but if you're in an area where the roads aren't maintained (like anywhere in Texas) then suspension setup is critical to the comfort of the ride.

 

[oteczdmitriy]

Damping is the speed rate at which the spring is allowed to compress or rebound. If the compression damping is set at the factory then how fast the spring can compress is a function of the oil flow through an orifice/valve. If rebound damping adjustment is available it determines how fast the spring will return to full extension and you can adjust that rate. The more damping you add the slower return to full extension happens. The less damping the faster the spring moves to full extension. A 'plush' ride where the bumps are absorbed and chassis is the least upset is the goal. Allowing the spring to return to full extension faster means the spring is ready to absorb the next hit sooner. With a lot of rebound damping dialed in the spring can 'pack up' over a series of fast bumps since it's travel speed to full extension is limited by the flow rate through the orifice/valve. The spring's compression rate is unaffected since it's determined by the given preload and factory damping settings, but once you run out of spring then it's like riding a hardtail.

The KEY to all this is the shock travel limit, the more travel the softer the ride can be since there's more to work with. My Bobber has 3.25 inches of shock travel compared to 4.1 inches for a 2009 Roadster. A dirt bike can have as much as 14 inches of travel. The preload is used to MAXIMIZE the amount of travel available by reducing the amount of static sag (the loss of travel that occurs when you sit on the bike, i.e. loaded vs. unloaded). Setting the static sag so there is more travel available means there is more bump absorption available vs. less shock travel. If most of your road travel is on smooth pavement then it doesn't really matter how much suspenstion you have since there's not a lot of hits, but if you're in an area where the roads aren't maintained (like anywhere in Texas) then suspension setup is critical to the comfort of the ride.

Thanks for your explanation. I understand all of this, especially my ass, when I'm playing with the adjustments.

 

[Tripps]

I still can't believe Triumph changed the geometry over the years, sorry for the wrong information. Gratuitous 3 legged cat picture, Eileen the Wonder Cat.

 

[TURBO200R4]

Well, I'm still ready to find out the measurements from the front rail bolt to the front wheel axle on the 2004 to 2009 Rocket.

I have a 2007 triumph rocket 3 classic tourer that have the crash bars so used a different way mine has a silver motor with floor boards. Anyway the way I measured from the tab on the front of motor to the center of axle it was 20 15/16 inches
From a tab on the front of motor to center of axle
Hth not a problem for a bro

 

[atomsplitter]

If you set your static sag at about 20-25mm (Google search will say 35-40mm) then you'll have 80mm of travel, minimum (based on 105mm travel for 2009 Roadster). After that the rebound is whatever is comfy for your posterior.

 

[Bunny Burrell]

Well, I'm still ready to find out the measurements from the front rail bolt to the front wheel axle on the 2004 to 2009 Rocket.

I’ll measure mine in the morning for you, mines a 2010 Classic. It’s bloody 11 at night here right now! I refuse to go out fighting the slugs on the foot path!

 

[TURBO200R4]

I’ll measure mine in the morning for you, mines a 2010 Classic. It’s bloody 11 at night here right now! I refuse to go out fighting the slugs on the foot path!

Take a bucket and pick up dinner on the way