1 Setting the spring preload or “sag” Check swing arm and wheel bearings/bushes to ensure there is no wear. Lift the rear of the bike until the suspension is completely extended. Take a measurement from the axle to a point directly above on the rear sub frame. Let the bike down on its suspension and measure again.
What does preload do on a motorcycle?
Preload is used to adjust the shock or spring to the correct range of operation within the suspension’s travel-more preload will raise the bike up on its suspension, keeping you near the top of its travel. With less preload, the bike sits lower and closer to the bottom of its suspension travel.
What should static sag be?
Aim for approximately 30mm of static sag for street riding and 25mm for the track. If you have too much sag, tighten up the front preload. Too little, and you’ll have to loosen the adjusters accordingly. One turn on the adjuster will usually change sag by about one millimeter.
How do you stiffen motorcycle shocks?
Rear shock preload To adjust the preload on your bike’s rear shock, you will need a C-spanner to loosen the top locking ring and spin it up the shock to gain access to the adjuster ring. If you want to increase preload so the spring has less travel and to make the bike feel stiffer, turn the adjuster ring clockwise.
Does preload affect ride quality?
See all 9 photos Here, spring height’s been adjusted roughly one inch, introducing more preload (top), but since it’s a linear-rate spring, it won’t affect handling or ride quality—just ride height. When preload force is greater than the car’s corner weight, trouble’s bound to happen.
Does adjusting preload change ride height?
Adjusting preload simply determines the motorcycle’s ride height. Basically, when ride height is overly high there is too little sag. The bike rides near the top of its suspension travel, it’s stiff, uncomfortable, and if you’re vertically challenged you may have trouble reaching the ground.
Why is setting sag important?
sag sets your absolute vertical position along the travel stroke of the suspension. if your sag is set so that just sitting on the bike you are already bottoming out the suspension, then if you hit the slightest bump you will run out of suspension travel and the bump will not be absorbed.
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.
Where can I find more information about suspension setup for sportbike?
You can also use the tables to find which issues of Sport Rider each bike was tested. For more information about suspension setup, visit our Sportbike Suspension Guide, which has a setup guide, a suspension tuning guide, and links to various useful articles on the site.
Does your motorcycle have adjustable suspension?
Your motorcycle has adjustable suspension for a reason. In 6 easy steps you can have your suspension working perfectly and giving you the best ride of your life. Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
How do you adjust the rebound on a motorcycle suspension?
Reduce rebound one click at a time until the back starts to feel bouncy. When you reach that point, add a click back in. Motorcycle suspension setup is a mysterious blend of art and science that takes more than the space available here to cover. Whole books can and have been written about it.
How much should suspension drop when you sit on a bike?
Most modern sports bikes have a figure of around 130mm at the front and rear, which means your suspension should drop by around 40mm when you sit on your bike. This part of the process is much easier to do if you have someone to give you a hand.
