shock pre-load for 2 up....please help! - .: XT660.com

Chris1811 · # 1 31-03-12, 00:32

Me and the missus are off to brighton camping on sat evening. We have allot of kit on the bike so im guessing i will need to pre load the shock in order to take the extra weight and ill have to adjust the chain too.

The pre-load is currently set on its 2nd softest setting. How many notches do I need to move it? Or how do I tell if it is adjusted correctly to compensate?

As for the chain do i simply load the beast up and then reajust the rear wheel so that the chain has the usual 2inch play etc.

Any help/advice would be great!

Cheers all

C

Ohlins · # 2 31-03-12, 08:09

For me I have mine turned right up to max and then I think I backed it off either one or two..can't recall....

Until I change my fork oil I have the fork preload maxed up and backed off a few turns...

Overall I find it helps but too springy for just one person....

It's easy to do so you can adjust each time to dial it in when you take a break?

steveD · # 3 31-03-12, 10:24

Start on MAX!

I travel solo and I have mine turned up to max with the gear that I carry.

You can always back it off when you have ridden for a bit.

As for the chain why not get all of your gear loaded, get the misses on boerd, centre the bike and check for freeplay. Check to see how the centre of the swing arm, cente of the rear wheel and centre of the drive sprocket line up, then adjust. You can only really tell once you are riding the bike. If it's too loose you will feel the snatching when changing gear. If too tight you will feel the torsion in the chain. The permutations are endless as it also depends on how bad a life your rear spring has already had.

When you meet up with Chris you can also ask him to check the tension when you are both on board and loaded.
Of course you will have the tools to adjust these things when on the road won't you!

Pleiades · # 4 31-03-12, 10:28

I'd guess with an OE shock and what your intending to carry, you're probably going to need maximum preload (and that probably won't be enough!) It's different for everybody, so I would recommend a test loading well beforehand and get everything right (chain tension, preload, tyre pressures etc) when you've got time to fiddle. Also try different combinations of load/luggage and make a not of the setting for future reference, so you've got a list at hand to speed things up next time round, or when you want to return to normal 1-up settings quickly. I've fallen into the trap before of loading everything on the morning of a trip and then found myself wasting time adjusting the preload and particularly the chain when I just wanted to get going. The chain tension is the key, the bike will sit low and the swingarm will be at the longest part of its arc; even if you followed the exact setting for chain tension in the manual it is always worth a final check with everything (you, pillion and luggage) on the bike.

Obviously great minds think alike - SteveD beat me to it - must type faster!

Chris1811 · # 5 31-03-12, 15:07

Cheers guys thanks for the pointer.

Im currently stood looking at all this stuff wandering were the heck its gunna go haha

Looking forward to getting there and getting the

on the go!

Ohlins · # 6 31-03-12, 22:20

Is this where I say?...

"It also depends on how heavy your wife is."

....ouch! my wife just punched me....

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