Adjusting Dominator rear shock preload

[switch]

Hey guys!

I've got a '96 dommie and a problem: I'm trying to raise the back end of the bike by adjusting the rear shock's preload (right now it's 3/4 down and the bike stands straight up while on the sidestand).

The adjustment is simple: turn two huge nuts (fixed on the top shaft of the shock) to adjust the spring's length. However these nuts are a pain to turn without stripping the entire back end of the bike.

One the left side, the exhaust is blocking direct access and on the right and rear side the top end of the shock is hidden by the airbox. On the front-right side there is little room to manuver because of the idle rpm adjustment nut.

Any of you guys every tried adjusting the suspension without removing half a bike? Any of you ever succeed? I'm looking for any pointers or advice!

Thanks!

[switch]

Nobody?

[KirriePete]

Lose the standard exhaust & fit a 2-1 like the Produro, it's lighter, stainless (no rust), sounds fruitier and gives slightly better access to the shock - it's still a bit of a knuckle skinner, but ....

Here's the left side of Miss Whiplash showing the vast acreage available:



You're welcome

[switch]

Thanks, but the exhaust is actually not getting in the way too much. It's the airbox-battery holder that's blocking half the shock.

[Rubberchicken]

You could try putting the bike up on a center stand (or beer case ) and undoing the top shock mount, this should give just a bit more clearance. Never tried it meself, though...

[switch]

You could try putting the bike up on a center stand (or beer case ) and undoing the top shock mount, this should give just a bit more clearance. Never tried it meself, though...

That actually sounds simpler than trying to work around the installed parts... hmmm...

[Will Bill]

Hey switch, did you adjusted you preload suspension without disassembly you Dominator? I Wanna do that, but I don't know how to do this in a easy way

[burnout]

Hi there...

the easiest way is to remove the shock from the bike... only 3 bolts and there you are. You don 't need to remove plastics or anything else.

I have the last dommie model, I don't know if that procedure is valid also for previous models ( I think yes, because I read this procedure from the Honda Service Guide for earlier NX models...)

Get your bike up by placing a box or something that could hold the bike, and allow the rear wheel to spin free then remove:

- Lower link bolt ( to make room to remove the lower shock bolt )
- Lower shock bolt
- Upper bolt that holds the shock to the frame

Remove the shock from the bike and adjust the preload. It will only take less than 15 mins.

[switch]

I actually managed to answer my own question but never updated this thread.

Just get a long metal rod (or really long & sturdy flathead screwdriver), and work from the RIGHT side. Engine should be cold (you're working in between the exhausts) and bike must be on a beer-case/centerstand. NOT a rear swingarm stand (swingarm and wheel must be free).

One hammer and the rod (or alike) is all you need to change preload. Crude, but very effective.

[ecalzo]

the best way it's to use a wrench... in the past the Honda and suzuki and so on gave the wrench (poor quality) with the motorbike...
But try to find something like this... and it will work as a charm.... because the C-wrench usually is thin and they will pass through the frame and so on...




C SPANNERS SHOCKS
C SPANNERS SHOCKS KW OHLINS MOTOX D2 BILSTEIN HKS GAZ L | eBay


that way sometimes damages the shock absorber dual ring