Quick Answer: How To Adjust Shock Absorbers On A Motorcycle?
Contents
- 1 Can shock absorbers be adjusted?
- 2 How do you adjust rear shocks?
- 3 Can shocks be too stiff?
- 4 How do you stiffen a front fork on a motorcycle?
- 5 How do you adjust the height of a motorcycle?
- 6 What PSI should rear shocks be?
- 7 How do you calculate rear shock pressure?
- 8 What pressure should my Fox rear shock be?
- 9 Does adjusting preload change ride height?
- 10 Does preload affect stiffness?
Can shock absorbers be adjusted?
Like other components on your car, shocks will eventually wear out. But there are also shocks that can be adjusted by the driver for a firmer or softer ride, and systems that automatically adjust depending on road conditions.
How do you adjust rear shocks?
Setting your rear shock sag
- Bounce firmly up and down to charge the negative spring and free up the travel.
- Assume your normal seated position and after allowing the bike to settle for at least 5 seconds have your assistant push the rubber O-ring on the shock stanchion up (or down) to the rubber wiper seal.
Can shocks be too stiff?
A shock is far too stiff if it limits suspension travel. A shock that is too stiff can cause the tire contact patch to bounce off the road surface over bumps or jack weight in the car after body roll occurs, even pulling the tire off the track surface for an instant.
How do you stiffen a front fork on a motorcycle?
Adding to the volume of oil will stiffen up the spring action as the forks compress by reducing the air space inside the fork leg. Fill your forks per the manual, compress them and measure down to to the oil level, then add enough oil to reduce that measurement by 1/2″ to 1″.
How do you adjust the height of a motorcycle?
Raising the front of the bike or lowering the rear will lengthen trail, slowing steering but benefiting stability. You can change front ride height by moving the forks in the triple clamps, and rear ride height can be altered by lengthening or shortening the shock.
What PSI should rear shocks be?
Add Air. A good rule of thumb for inflating air shocks is to add 1psi of air for every pound you weigh. Therefore if you weigh 140lb, then begin the set-up process at 140psi. Remember to use an accurate shock pump, as old pumps often have leaks and faulty pressure dials.
How do you calculate rear shock pressure?
For the rear shock, start at about half of your rider weight for air pressure. You will have to adjust from here, but you will want to achieve the proper SAG for your frame, as recommended by your frame manufacturer. Typically this is somewhere between 30-40% of overall travel.
What pressure should my Fox rear shock be?
Sag range should be set to 25–30% of total shock travel. Your shock has a 4 digit ID code on the shock body. Do not exceed the maximum FLOAT air pressure!
| Suggested Sag Measurements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Travel | 25% sag (Firm) | 30% sag (Plush) |
| 44 mm (1.75 in) | 11 mm (0.44 in) | 13 mm (0.53 in) |
Does adjusting preload change ride height?
The suspension may feel stiffer when preload is increased, but that’s because adding preload compresses the spring, so it takes more pressure to move the suspension any further. Adjusting preload simply determines the motorcycle’s ride height. Basically, when ride height is overly high there is too little sag.
Does preload affect stiffness?
The myth: Preload affects spring rates and handling characteristics. Why it’s wrong: The short answer is that preload won’t make a spring any stiffer, and it won’t make it any softer, but all you want to know is why you’ve been told the opposite.
