TA 650 Rear Suspension Preload Adjustment

[jrob0311]

I know HOW to adjust the rear suspension pre-load but have no idea by HOW MUCH!

Can anyone advise how much I need to adjust the adjuster nut to increase the preload for a pillion?

Is there a rule of thumb that people use for adjustment versus increased weight or do you just guess? I don't really want to overdo it and then have to readjust on the road.

Cheers

J

[Frad]

Apparently as std the spring length should be 193-195mm, I have recently wound mine up to 185mm and the whole bike feels better, more solid in the wind and not quite as floaty as before.

Tomorrow I am trying it 2 up with luggage to try it out before our holiday in july.

I dont think I want to wind it up any more in case it becomes coil bound.

For the record Im 15 stone and the wife is less, as a gentleman never tells

[jrob0311]

Thanks Frad

Are those measurements with the bike on the ground or with no weight on the rear wheel?

Cheers

J

[hotbulb]

I don't have an answer - I'm just cheekily hijacking the thread.
I don't think I need to adjust the preload just now, but would be grateful if someone could explain how to access the adjusting ring-nuts..... I can't see any way to get a C-spanner at them with the shock unit in place. Indeed, I can't see the rings at all on my V4 model.

[jrob0311]

The easiest access seems to be from the right side:

1) Remove seat and RHS panel;
2) Remove battery;
3) Remove battery box (3 bolts and unplug the electrics);
4) The top of the shock is now accessible but most people recommend using a hammer and drift or long screw driver to move the adjusting rings rather than a C-spanner - no idea if you could even get a C-spanner around the rings.

I did it the other night for the first time and it didn't take too long. Not the easiest job to do on the road I suspect!

Cheers

J

[Alba]

Originally Posted by jrob0311

I did it the other night for the first time and it didn't take too long.

Has it made any difference to the handling as noticed by Frad

[hotbulb]

Thank, j, for the explanation of access to the adjuster. When I first had the bike I thought it might be useful to adjust the preload to lower the bike a fraction (short legs!), but I've got used to it now.

[Frad]

Originally Posted by jrob0311

Thanks Frad

Are those measurements with the bike on the ground or with no weight on the rear wheel?

Cheers

J

On the centre stand, so no weight on the rear wheel