Shock setup on 1990

Ok I can't find this info in the workshop manual and have no owners manual.

I can see there's a spring preload adjuster and I read in the manual about a dampening adjustment also.

My problem is I have no idea how to adjust the dampening.

Also, not sure about the spring preload, any idea how many turns does what?

My bike handles pretty well, but it feels like the dampening might be too much and the spring too weak.

 

they dont have adjustable dampening

 

3rd gen shock

The bolt sticking out the side is preload, + is right, - is left. Set for 35mm static sag, usually.

The shock has a compression damping adjust on the left bottom. Look for the half round indent in the heat shield (metal bottom) and a long blade flat screwdriver into the bottom of the shock. Hard to see, hard to line up. + is right, feel the clicks.

By this time, your rear shock is probably toast, spring marginal. damping gone.

Progressive has a nice shock right now on Ebay, $650 or so. Or go the 929 shock avenue from Jamie.

Larry

 

i put a 929 shock on my 93 from jamie. while it performs much better, there is no way to get to any of the adjustments while its on the bike.

 

Hey thanks, I will try some dampening adjustment.

I don't think shocks go bad with time. This bike's only got 18,000 miles on it.

I'm going to give it more time and try some adjustments, then I may go to an Ohlins or KYB etc.

EDIT: Cranked up the spring to Normal and liked the handling much better today, but have to do some bumpier roads to really tell.