Rear suspension adjustment

[ddcristi]

Hello all,

I've just joined this group and I must say, after I've read the last 7 pages of topics, that I've found it extremely interesting. Unfortunately I haven't found yet any information about my problem.

I have bought an AT 2 months ago, and I've ridden it for almost 2500 km. I am very pleased with it and I'm sure I've made the right choice. Before it I had a Honda VT500 E and it was a great little bike .

You're probably wondering what is my problem. Well, the rear suspension is a bit hard. The bike is a 1992 RD04, so the rear shock absorber has a capsule which I thinks contains nitrogen under pressure. The problem is that I have no idea on how to adjust the shock absorber. That capsule has a screw which you can screw/unscrew with a screwdriver, and underneath it it has another knob (I hope this is the right word) which you can adjust with a fixed wrench. My question is, which one of them do I use to adjust the shock absorber? And there are no markings on the capsule, so I don't know how much am I supposed to turn the adjuster...
I have also downloaded from the Internet the Haynes manual for both Transalp and AT, but I can't find any instructions about this matter.

Thanks for any reply,

Cristi

[posiwev]

Hi Cristi,

There should be 2 adjustments.(assuming you've got a standard shock)

1. Preload by adjusting the spring tension(compressing the spring will increase the ride height)
2.Compression damping (resistance to compressing the shock) this is adjusted via the screw on the remote reservoir - turning anti clockwise will make it softer, whilst anti clockwise will make it harder.

DO NOT UNDO THE HEXAGON NUT, as this is the union connection to the shock.

Best to adjust it to suit your requirements, if you're particularly Light or heavy you may to to buy a replacement spring to suit.

Hope the above is of use

Andy

[ddcristi]

Hello again,

Thanks for the quick answer... It's indeed helpful, because I was thinking on undoing the hexagon nut. I have turned the screw anti-clockwise 2 completer revolutions (720 degrees) , but I don't feel any change. So that's why I thought the nut was the one to be turned. Fortunatelly I haven't had the time to do it yet... And of course, now, I won't do it... Thanks!

I'll try to unscrew the screw a little more..

Cristi