Suspension adjustment

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Oct 8, 2018
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My SF is now has over 1000 miles on it so suspension will have settled, but I'm finding the ride quite hard so want to soften it.

First step will be set the sag. Front has pre-load adjustment, but the rear doesn't. Rear has rebound, compression and ride height.

How do you set the sag at the rear with no pre-load adjustment?
 
The ride height adjustment is the pre load adjuster, the higher the ride height the more pre load is being applied.
 
The ride height adjustment is the pre load adjuster, the higher the ride height the more pre load is being applied.

Not on these bikes.
Height adjustment is for a different purpose.

The rear shock preload is adjusted by using the preload adjuster screw.
See attached Norton manual instructions. (if you work on your bike get a manual)
If you not sure what you are doing, then FE's advise is best.
Take it to a pro.

Screwing up the height or preload, will turn your bike into a mess.

Suspension adjustment
Hosted on Fotki

Suspension adjustment
Hosted on Fotki
 
My SF is now has over 1000 miles on it so suspension will have settled, but I'm finding the ride quite hard so want to soften it.

First step will be set the sag. Front has pre-load adjustment, but the rear doesn't. Rear has rebound, compression and ride height.

How do you set the sag at the rear with no pre-load adjustment?
Re-active suspension set up my 961,
Depends on how heavy you are,
I am 12 & a half stone and carry a lightweight passenger
For the rear
Compression fully soft
Re-bound 22
Pre-load 0
Or sliding collar flush with body
With pillion & luggage add 12 turns
Or four rings should be showing.
My front has normal fork legs not up-side down.
 
So the rear does has pre-load adjustment! I thought it was odd not to have it. I was looking at the owners manual which doesn't mention it.
 
When I bought my 961, the PO had changed some of the suspension settings. After some experimenting, I ended up with the factory recommended damping settings, but less preload in both front and rear. I also raised the front forks in the yokes to 5/16" above the yoke, which seemed to help it turn in more easily, and not run wide on corner exit. The rear preload is cranked down to zero, and it still seems a little stiff ( I weigh 185 lbs.). The next softer springs might work better, but it's not a really significant problem, and is probably better for high speed sweepers as is. It's just a bit rough on some of the bumpier roads I ride. All in all, I'm really happy with the way it handles.

Ken
 
What are the factory settings?

From the shared pages of the manual I can see a couple - Rear compression 3 clicks, rear rebound 18 clicks.

It would be a good starting point as that's not how my bikes been setup. My rear compression was fully open.

My SF has USD forks.
 
What are the factory settings?

From the shared pages of the manual I can see a couple - Rear compression 3 clicks, rear rebound 18 clicks.

It would be a good starting point as that's not how my bikes been setup. My rear compression was fully open.

My SF has USD forks.
Standard suspension settings are way too hard for a normal sized person.
 
What are the factory settings?

From the shared pages of the manual I can see a couple - Rear compression 3 clicks, rear rebound 18 clicks.

It would be a good starting point as that's not how my bikes been setup. My rear compression was fully open.

My SF has USD forks.

From the early factory manual, for "Standard" (USD) forks:
Front Compression - 16 clicks out from closed
Front Rebound - 18 clicks out from closed
Front Preload - 3 turns out
Rear Compression - 3 clicks out
Rear Rebound - 18 clicks out
Rear Preload - 7 turns out (2 rings showing).

Ken
 
The service manual also gives very detailed instructions in how to set the front and rear sag by adjusting preloads. Probably the first adjustment you should make before messing with damping and front fork height experiments.

Ken
 
From the early factory manual, for "Standard" (USD) forks:
Front Compression - 16 clicks out from closed
Front Rebound - 18 clicks out from closed
Front Preload - 3 turns out
Rear Compression - 3 clicks out
Rear Rebound - 18 clicks out
Rear Preload - 7 turns out (2 rings showing).

Ken
Thanks Ken

Yes first step will be preload. I was surprised it's 45mm of sag for the forks. Sounded high, but if that's what the manual says!
 
Well, it's even more for the conventional forks at 55 mm:).

Also, just in case anyone is not clear, the rear shock has two separate adjustments, one for preload and one for ride height. The ride height adjustment is done at the bottom shock eye, which is threaded and has a lock nut.

Ken
 
Set the sag on my SF. Front OK it's at 44mm. Rear I could only get down to 49mm so must be a hard springs as people have mentioned. That's with no preload. Will use this as my starting point and see if I can get a good combination of handling and comfort without changing to softer springs at the rear.

See if I can get a test ride in tomorrow.
 
FWIW, the stock springs on my 961 are Ohlins p/n 00480-03B, which are 46 mm ID, 230 mm free length, and 1.8 - 2.7Kg/mm (or 100 - 151 lb/in) spring rate. Ohlins part numbers are a real pita to translate, but as far as I can tell, the next softer is 00480-02 (B for black or Y for yellow), which is 1.6 - 2.6 Kg/mm (90 - 146 lb/in). They seem a little stiff to me, and I can't quite get the sag right, even with the preload set at zero. Probably good with 2-up and/or luggage, but not so hot for solo. I'll be trying something lighter in the near future, as soon as I can order them.

Ken
 
Well after setting sag went for a ride with an Allen key to try some changes :)

Reducing rebound front and rear has made a huge difference! Harshness has gone and made it far more comfortable to ride. Also handling has improved and feels far better when you throw it into a corner, I feel far more confident!

Reduced the front compression by a couple of clicks and it felt even better!

Even feels like it's throttle response is smoother which sounds mad, but think may be down to the front being so hard meant every bump made me move the throttle slightly.

It had felt like a bike for short rides as you'd need to take regular breaks as it was tiring to ride. That has changed now!

Enjoying the bike even more now!
 
What is your weight, BikerBore? Just wondering if I could benefit from some adjustments.
 
Suspension adjustment
Well far as I’m aware,according to my sources ,this fella ( Chris Walker the racer ) helped the suspension set up on the 961, so unless we are all his size,frame & weight I guess it needs a tweak
 
He looks my size !! I mean I look his size...... i'm going to stop now :confused:
 
I have "defaulted" my 961 suspension settings to the manual recommendations as I think i'm around that size (90kg ish) and was going to follow BikerBores path and drop the damping front and rear and front compression a notch or 2 on the USD's
 
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