Changing settings on rear shock ???

Hey guys, So I go to adjust the rear mono ('09 VFR) about two clicks stiffer due to riding passengers, daughter n wife. I get the little spanner wrench from the OEM tool kit and it just won't grab the cog's teeth enough to turn it, rrrrgh, what's this thing for I say to self. Sooo, my daughter and I ride to the dealer and see if they can adjust it. They tried with this tool as well to no avail. They got a mechanics spanner, 1 1/4" - 3, and it worked. So, my question is: what's this OEM spanner good for and where do you all get the correct spanner to adjust the rear mono shock? Thanks a million, Robert.

 

Maybe your spanner is damaged although it would seem the dealer would have noticed/commented if it was.
Mine works fine on my 2004.
It isn't the easiest tool in the world to use, but if I can make it work, I would certainly think a trained mechanic would have no problem.

I have read where some have used a large slip-joint plier such as a Channel Lock, but that seems like a last resort.

 

When I first try to adjust the rear shock, I grabbed a tool from the OEM kit which looked like the spanner. It almost worked but like yourself, it would not grab the shock teeth. Still haven't used the look-alike spanner. My advice, from experience, make sure it's the right tool.

 

Well, I found a wrench like the dealer mechanic has, one tooth to engage the cog unlike the oem that has two and those two just don't grip, come to find out that is the chain adjuster tool, right? I don't know what the factory setting is but I think there are 7 in all. We changed the factory setting 2 clicks stiffer and wow, so far it feels great with or without a passenger, but I am 245 lbs. so it probably needed firming up, lol. Thanks for the responses.

 

I think that was the chain adjuster....it does look like shock adjustor.

The ones with 2 tooth is the chain adjustor if I am not wrong.

 

Yup; the one in the OEM tool kit is for adjusting chain tension. You need a 63 millemeter spanner to adjust the rear preload. They are readily available on line or at well-stocked motorcycle shops. Given the sensitivity of the suspension to correct preload adjusment it seems bizarre to me that Honda didn't include the correct spanner in the tool kit.

For reference, what works for me (210 pounds in my ATGATT):
2 is fine for me, horrible for me + Spousal Unit. It feels like the bike is turning somewhere around the rear license plate.
6 makes the bike handle fine for me + SU, but ride is brutally harsh.
5 Ahhh! Two up ride is nicely controlled but also lets the suspension absorb the bumps giving a nice cushy ride.

And yes, I switch the preload back and forth every time I go from solo to two up.

Ride safe, have fun!

 

Good that you got it sorted out, but your dealer not knowing the difference between the chain adjusting tool and the shock adjusting tool wouldn't make me very comfortable with the dealer.
They are really quite different.

 

My 03 has both the chain adjuster and the rear shock adjuster. Is there another one in your OEM kit that you missed? Or did they stop including it?

 

I bought my bike used, it actually had a Kawasaki hook spanner in the tool kit, it works fine. I'm a little guy so I run mine on the lowest setting.
-VFRGeek

 

I got my 07 new. It wasn't in it and the owners manual specifies that the tool kit is only the spanner and the extension handle.

Go figure.

 

Anyone have a part number or can recommend a good quality spanner wrench that works well for setting the spring pre-load on the rear shock of the 6th Gen VFR's???

 

I got one from this guy on ebay, offered him a total of $20.00 and he took the offer, he was a good seller. This is the size you'll need: NICE J.H. WILLIAMS 1 1/4-3" ADJUSTABLE SPANNER WRENCH | eBay