Rear suspension adjustment XLV650V

[ADTT]

About a month ago i bought a used Transalp 650V 2005 model with 10700 km on the clock. Although it's my second bike since i also own a Triumph Tiger 1050 i have to agree that i ride it more often since i like the smooth feel you get out of it. I would like to ask you were is the best access point for adjusting the rear spring pre-load since there is no visible access on the 650. Somewhere i heard that you take off the battery and its holder and then use a hammer and screwdriver. Is that true?

[Raven]

About a month ago i bought a used Transalp 650V 2005 model with 10700 km on the clock. Although it's my second bike since i also own a Triumph Tiger 1050 i have to agree that i ride it more often since i like the smooth feel you get out of it. I would like to ask you were is the best access point for adjusting the rear spring pre-load since there is no visible access on the 650. Somewhere i heard that you take off the battery and its holder and then use a hammer and screwdriver. Is that true?

Unfortunatly, yes . I need to up the preload on mine, but the fact that its so much hassle means I haven't bothered.

Welcome, by the way

[Oldgiffer]

Hammer & Screwdriver !!!!

That explains it - when i asked the salesman about it he sort of pointed vaguely at the side of the bike & said "you access it there" !!

There i was thinking the TA would be benefitting from all those years of development since my last Honda was made (a new VF1000 in 1986) and i now find suspension adjustment is by a cruder method than my 1957 AJS that i owned as a Kid

Thats progress kid

[phil w]

Its just a normal flat point screwdriver in the little hole. I found it easy

[Raven]

Its just a normal flat point screwdriver in the little hole. I found it easy

You can use that to adjust the compression, but not the preload.

[phil w]

You can use that to adjust the compression, but not the preload.

Oh thats what it was for

[Raven]

Oh thats what it was for

To be honest I haven't got a clue about compression and rebound adjustment, but I know what I'm doing with preload, so I think I'll stick to that

[steveR]

Unfortunatly, yes . I need to up the preload on mine, but the fact that its so much hassle means I haven't bothered.

Welcome, by the way

Not strictly true. I did mine with a spot of advice from Yen on the best access point for getting at the adjusting nut...

Put bike on centre stand or beer crate (empty!)

Go in from the LH side, remove the side panel, and park it near the back end. Remove the electrical gubbins mounted in front of you, that is held with a small 10mm nut at the top and 10mm head bolt at the bottom. Push all the gubbins out of the road, careful mind...

You can now see the top of the shock. Take a big and strong screwdriver or drift and loosen the lock nut. Then tighten the lower nut with long shanked screwdriver, tapping the nut, (you will find you have to squeeze the 'driver shank tight to the damper adjuster casting) You will see that there is a paint blob to help you count the turns you make. I used a BO hammer to free the lock nut initially and then a heavy rubber mallet to tap the nuts around. It'll take a while...

I gave my 'alp about an additional 1cm of preload for 2 up and heavily loaded. This was way too much for solo work!! I have slacked it off now. However, it will depend on the original setting!

After you have done it once, everything will be that bit easier and looser. Oh yes, plaster the thread with WD40 to make things go easier, well worth it!

Then reassemble, Sadly it is hard to leave all the gubbins, panel loose to try a test ride, but a zip tie may hold it for a cuppla miles down the road.

DO NOT FORGET to lock the nuts up afterwards.... I find I can do this in 15-20 mins now.

Good Luck, and if all else fails, Hagon will take 260 quid off you for an ajustable shock. I WANT ONE

[rick001]

I found it just as easy to drop the shock out. Bolt at the bottom and one at the top and it drops out. Adjust preload whilst stuck in vice. Takes me about 30 minutes to do.

[ADTT]

How did you take off the top bolt? Don't you have to take something apart to get to it Rick?