Okay Rook...here's what I figured...I'm no suspension guru period.I found that stiffening up the front preload damper,say...go all the way down.Don't force it past the stops.Turn out 6 turns(12 clicks).Now....turn the larger black "bolts" for the actual FORK SPRING tension(preload)out to three lines showing.That's the very top line casted into the bolt.and go out to the third line being even with the fork tube top(the silver part).Now,go to the compression damping screw at the lower fork leg assembly.Turn that all the way in,just like you did with the preload damper.Do not force past the stop.Now,turn out 7 turns.(14 clicks).Front's done.
Go to the rear.Get down along side and behind the rear lower fairng(on the kickstand side).Remove that rearmost well nut bolt.Now you can get a driver in there and turn that small preload screw all the way clockwise(like the upper ones)It will NOT click.Now turn CC three full turns.Button that up.Go to the midframe adjuster hole(in the frame).Look in there...see the screw?Turn all the way closed(it will NOT click).NOW,open up Three turns(not half turns).There's your starting point.I'm 175....these settings are working well for me.They may not for you.You want the plush ride quality,but yet NOT the bounching around on corners and such.Try these settings.You should get a better feel of what's happening with these.If it's too soft for ya,determine if the front is acting the way you don't want,or the rear...which you'll feel in your butt dyno.You want the bike to raise and lower equally when you push down on the center of the seat.Front and rear should come up(or down)at the same speed.
Tightening that front preload(not the brass screw)will stiffen your frontend,but you can go too far.You just need to adjust,then ride at you concerning place,and see how she feels.Take your bolt socket,and you small long shank screwdriver with ya,and ride,then adjust.You'll find the sweet spot for you.Higher speeds is gonna require a bit more stiffness...but not TOO much.You don't want er bouncing around.
I've just lowered my bike 1" front and back.So my spring rates were definitely changed.But the settings I gave you are a starting point for ya...they will get ya in the ballpark.Remember...INCREASING any of the adjusters(going clockwise) is meaning you will be SLOWING DOWN the action of the spring or shock.It will create a stiffer ride quality.Both front and rear suspension movement should be happening at the same speed and velocity.You don't want your frame/attitude being faster or slower from front to back in curves(or any other time)...just steady equalibrium.
You want your shocks/forks to absorb the hit,but not cause the chassis to take it as well.You can feel when the chassis is getting slammed along with the wheels and suspension.Ride at higher speeds...see how she feels.To adjust things,just begin with the PRELOAD first(the black bolt)...your rear preload is set at the factory for a 150 lb rider with no accessories on the bike,and no passenger.If you weigh more(which you prolly do),it should be okay,up to a point(you may not need to adjust the rings).You will get your initial "up/down" stiffness and speed by adjusting the front black bolt at the fork top.You can statically get an idea of how your fork preload is doing by applying front brakes,and pushing forward.This will give you an idea of how soft or firm the fork is. Remember...at higher speeds,G forces create more "weight" to the suspension...compression happens faster and stronger,and spring stiffness increases with the compression...so the more she's compressing,the the faster and harder she wants to rebound.So settings at 50,60 mph may not work well at 100.Just have to experiment and take er through all the scenarios you're gonna be riding in.You will get it.
I don't think your scraping of the parts was due to TOO MUCH stiffness of the suspension...I'd say,just the opposite.It may well be TOO soft.They're at the bike's midpoint,so the action was probably pretty even front to back.Small adjustments are the way to go.Adjust,ride.Adjust,ride.Once she's near where ya want,THEN the adjustments(one at a time)will be very noticeable in ride quality.Preloading a spring will increase the rebound effect,and compression of the spring will have to be more forceful,the more she compresses.So slowing down or speeding up those two rates is the third part of the triangle.Those keep the chassis stable.More velocity....faster compression and rebound(G forces).
* Last updated by: blue07 on 8/14/2010 @ 5:38 PM *