Lakes Camping trip

[bazza]

After finally talking the other half into going camping on the AT (almost standared) to the Lakes im a bit conserned about weight, Can anyone tell me the weight limitations for a 97 RD07A,(im 15st she is about 10st, tent 5Kg) i have 3 Givi 48L boxes but im only planning on using 2 of them. I have seen ATs loaded with a lot of gear on them but im just woried about going up hill's in the Lakes and putting a lot of strain on the bike.
Thanks Barry

(also going to have a night at the camp site for the National meet)

[xrv_jim]

No problem.

Up the preload on the rear shock and enjoy your trip. The sort of weight you're talking about sounds pretty normal.

[Hagrid]

Up the preload on the rear shock and enjoy your trip. The sort of weight you're talking about sounds pretty normal.

Works for me Bazza... 2up

[bazza]

Thanks guys. how easy is it to upload it and do i need any special tools.

[xrv_jim]

Thanks guys. how easy is it to upload it and do i need any special tools.

OK, if you have a standard shock the adjustment is at the top of the shock. Have a look at the top of the shock from the lhs of the bike between the frame tubes.

You should see that the top of the shock body, immediately above the spring is threaded. On that threaded portion there are two thin 'ring' nuts (with inverted 'teeth' or gaps at regular intervals) that the spring rests against (difficult to describe, but it should be obvious when you're looking at it!). The top ring nut is a lock nut which you need to loosen off before you do any adjustment.

If you have a C spanner this might well do it, otherwise loosen the locknut by using a soft metal drift (copper, ally or steel bar) on an accessible cut out on the ring nut and a big hammer. Tap gently and as the nut turns you place the drift on the next cut out as it comes round. You only need to loosen the lock nut a turn or two, don't unscrew it from the threaded portion.

Use the same tool to adjust the lower of the two nuts, tighten it up to increase the preload.

Finally, it's a job that's marginally easier if the bike's on the centrestand (if you have one). You might want to douse everything with WD40 before you start (don't get it on your tyre) and it might take quite a bit of force to get the ring nuts to turn at first, but once they're moving they should ease up a bit.

Good luck!

[bazza]

Thanks XRV_JIM, i know where and how (i think) just wasnt sure id damage anything buy using a hammer and bar. i take it i tighten it till it feels right, not a specific place.
Site as usefull as ever.

[Dilbert]

Thanks XRV_JIM, i know where and how (i think) just wasnt sure id damage anything buy using a hammer and bar. i take it i tighten it till it feels right, not a specific place.
Site as usefull as ever.

Pre-load depends on how much you're taking with you and how heavy you and your passenger are, you may also want to stiffen up the damping by using the screw on the remote adjuster.

when you've got it fully loaded bounce you bum on the seat, it should still bob up and down gently, if you overdo it you will have a very hard ride and the rear will bang down hard into every little pot hole, etc

I've just got back from staying in Keswick (in the car, with the family) you shouldn't have a problem with any of the main roads, some of the B roads can be a bit narrow, so take care, Kirkstone pass is easy, Hardnott Pass is very difficult with very steep and sharp bends with reversing cambers, I wouldn't recommend going up it with a fully laden bike !

[xrv_jim]

Thanks XRV_JIM, i know where and how (i think) just wasnt sure id damage anything buy using a hammer and bar. i take it i tighten it till it feels right, not a specific place.
Site as usefull as ever.

Yes, sorry Bazza, I wasn't sure how explicit the instructions should be, I didn't want to insult anyones intelligence. I find, on road, the AT's suspension quite soft. 2 up with luggage I'd have my preload set to just about maximum; mind, I'm 'well built'

By the way, depending on where you want to camp, you might find B&B only slightly more expensive than a site with lots of facilities thereby saving on a lot of luggage weight. The cost of camping in the Lakes now is shocking!

...you may also want to stiffen up the damping by using the screw on the remote adjuster.

Don't think there is one on the RD07a Dilbert.

[bazza]

thanks Lads.
ill give it a go tomorrow cos the bike is at work.

[mal]

Bazza ,make sure your chain is adjusted properly, the extra weight of luggage & Mrs Bazza might make it too tight which you is not good on a @