Adjusting rear shocks and front forks

[Growler]

Hi can anybody talk me me throught this process. I have an idea what to do but i'd rather be certain. I want to make the front forks a bit softer

Thanks

[Pete.L]

Just write down where your settings are now and have a play. You can always put them back if they are jotted down somewhere.
How much do you weigh Growler. Most folk find the front is too soft in standard trim to start with.
General rule of thumb undo stuff to make a softer ride(loosey lefty) and tighten it up to make it harder ( tighty righty) Same as nuts and bolts

Pete.l

[seb421]

Softer?

they are like pogo sticks as it is, any softer and you might as well strap a trampoline between the clamp and wheels

[bandsawman]

Presumably you don't want them softer to improve handling?
The problem I have with mine is when I hit bumps in the road - it's like I haven't got any suspension!
Is that what you get?

[SlingVTR]

Preload fully screw down and rebound 3/4 turn out from hard..........thats the front sorted...........rear hardest setting and preload 1 turn out. job done.

[Pete.L]

Presumably you don't want them softer to improve handling?
The problem I have with mine is when I hit bumps in the road - it's like I haven't got any suspension!
Is that what you get?

That's the hydrolic lock. If the spring rate was a little harder or oil was a little thicker it wouldn't happen so much.
Try Slings advice and wind in the pre load a bit .

Pete.l

[bandsawman]

Right I will

[SlingVTR]

try the settings I said, mine is like its on rails now, cant do poop about pot holes but i feel for the suspension as it is, it aint too bad and you have to realise it aint no R1. It does run out wide a bit, and the cure is a 5mm spacer under the rear shock, this will put more weight on your wrists.....so its a suck it and see.

[Beamish]

Presumably you don't want them softer to improve handling?
The problem I have with mine is when I hit bumps in the road - it's like I haven't got any suspension!
Is that what you get?

Top tips .....dont buy an SP The Storm is a dream after getting used to the SP, in fact on a nadgery road with big lumps and bumps I would probably be quicker on a Storm If after playing with the settings you are still not happy give the forks a service (springs, seals and fork oil), its not very expensive and well worth the effort.

[Growler]

Thanks guys, i reckon the forks need an overhaul.

[sirch345]

Preload fully screw down and rebound 3/4 turn out from hard..........thats the front sorted...........rear hardest setting and preload 1 turn out. job done.

I agree with most of that advice except for the rear shock setting. Preload adjuster (spring adjuster) needs to be on the softest (lowest) setting on a standard rear shock for best results (as the shock is already over sprung), unless of course you are on the large size or carry a pillion most of the time. If that's the case the 2nd or 3rd notch my be better.

Chris.

[SlingVTR]

Preload fully screw down and rebound 3/4 turn out from hard..........thats the front sorted...........rear hardest setting and preload 1 turn out. job done.

I agree with most of that advice except for the rear shock setting. Preload adjuster (spring adjuster) needs to be on the softest (lowest) setting on a standard rear shock for best results (as the shock is already over sprung), unless of course you are on the large size or carry a pillion most of the time. If that's the case the 2nd or 3rd notch my be better.

Chris.

I am on the large side and feel that I get a great ride from her at those settings. if anyone here has ridden a proper sports bike you will not get any rear suspension bounce at all from the rear, the action is controlled by the rebound setting and since we dont have slow and fast damping settings this is as good as you are going to get, give what I said a go then tell me im wrong....go on do it....go onnnnnnnnnnnn

[Pete.L]

Unless you wiegh 30 stone you are soo wrong.
You can make the Storm quite slappy if you over sping the rear and it will tend to step out or wheelie a lot quicker. You need a certain amount of travel to be able to keep the tire in contact with the road. The Storm does have a rebound (hard/soft) adjuster and whilst it's not the best it can be made to work quite well. Oh and nearly all racers will tell you their shocks will bottom out at one part of the race track.

Pete.l

[SlingVTR]

Oh and nearly all racers will tell you their shocks will bottom out at one part of the race track.

Pete.l[/quote]


Basically you are correct you have to keep the tyre in contact, i agree, but the most important part is not the rear spring but how the rear responds ie bounces back to original position, as long as you have set your sag level correctly ie pre load then its micro adjustment time with the preload, to soft and it will rebound too fast and give you a pogo, to hard and the spring doesnt recover enough in time and leads to bottoming out which we dont want so my advice stands its all about individual adjustment. Start half turn out from hard settingand keep going softer on the rebound until it gets too bouncy to be controllable then go 1/4 to half turn back towards the hard setting. (im 18 stone)

[Pete.L]

Preload fully screw down and rebound 3/4 turn out from hard..........thats the front sorted...........rear hardest setting and preload 1 turn out. job done.

I agree with most of that advice except for the rear shock setting. Preload adjuster (spring adjuster) needs to be on the softest (lowest) setting on a standard rear shock for best results (as the shock is already over sprung), unless of course you are on the large size or carry a pillion most of the time. If that's the case the 2nd or 3rd notch my be better.

Chris.

Sling, I've just re read this, my mistake I thought you had the spring on the hardest setting (Hence 30 stone comment ) It looks like Chris had the same idea as he is suggesting the softest (lowest) spring too.
I used to set the preload on the second notch but then, I'm not exactly steamline myself
As with regard to the Hard/soft (rebound setting) if you are having to put yours all the way around to full hard I would suggest your oil has turned to water and the shock is at the end of it's life. As long as it's working for you I wouldn't worry too much

Thanks for the other tips on set up, I I'll try to put them to good use

Pete.l