adjusting rear shock

[super90]

Well my rear shock is way too stiff for trail riding and any little rock i hit it just bounces off of it and the shock does no work. I know theirs a special tool to adjust them but I dont have the right sized shock wrench for it. I dont think beating it with a screw driver would be such a good idea but I dont know whatelse I could use? I dont have any types off wrenches that fit around the grooves so thats out of the question. How do you guys adjust your shocks?:wondering

[jason 32]

this was answered before-

try a long bolt- hit it with a hammer- hit one side then the other ,of the adjusting nut- the top nut

loosen the top nut-
then you should be able to turn the spring,and the other nut will turn with it-

make sure the threads are clean--

( a bolt will keep from damaging the nut like a screwdriver, or chisel

[TwoHundredEx]

Another thing that I've found to work well with looseing the locking nut is a pair of parrallel jaw pliers. I opened them to the largest opening and I can get a pretty good grip on it.

[tyman]

The 86 200x's are equipped with a 1-2-3-4 dampening setup.... on the bottom of the shock is a little dial.... 1 is soft, 4 is stiff... respectively so....

try it... :-)

tires and pressure also have alot to do with suspension...

Front fork pressure is another big hitter...

And all of them are effected by YOUR weight...

I'm 135 and my 86 200x suspension hardly moves during small bumps.. but big whoops and bumps, it works well...

i also rebuilt the fronts and did a little adjusting with fluid... the front end rides so well now...

[super90]

I did just about every other suspension tweak their is besides the shock so far. The front forks were rebuilt a few months ago and I run 10w fork oil and a 1'' pvc spacers. And I use the #2 setting on the shock for the rebound. I weigh 170 and the guy before me was over 200 so I guess he jacked up the shock for his weight. Ill try the bolt and see how it goes. Just wondering though, do you have to take the shock out of the frame to do it? I never really looked at it?

[super90]

I just adjusted it like you said, with the bolt and not the screw driver. I barely did any damage to it at all so that wasnt a bad idea. Before it had NO SAG whatsoever even when you sat on it, not it has about 1'' of sag just sitting there, and about another 1'' when I sit on it. I took it for a quick test ride through a bumpy field and its way better than before. The trike dosent jar all around like it did before, you can still feel the bumps but not nearly as bad.

-I did a search before I posted this and found nothing about how to adjust, just technical questions about sag and other things. Thanks for the info!

[Rustytinhorn]

I take my shock off the bike to adjust it. I use a supersized pair of chanlocks (spelling??) and a vice. It does eat the little teeth up a tiny bit, but thats only untill I get the correct spanner wrench. They are out there.

[Rustytinhorn]

-I did a search before I posted this and found nothing about how to adjust, just technical questions about sag and other things. Thanks for the info!

There are lots of different opinions on how to adjust for sag. This is the official honda recommendation for the 85 250r, but maybe it will give you a little idea for the x.

To adjust spring preload:

1. Remove the seat/rear fender by pushing the lever.
2. Place a support under the engine to raise the rear wheels off the ground.
3. Measure the spring preload length and if necessary, adjust it to the standard spring preload length.
STANDARD SPRING PRELAOD LEGTH: 242mm (9.5 in)
To adjust preload, loosen the lock nut with a pin spanner and turn the adjuster nut.
4. Temporarily reinstall the seat/rear fender. With the rear wheels still off the ground, measure from the rear axle to the center of bolt attaching rear carrier. Now remove the support and let the ATC rest on the ground.
5. Sit on the ATC and have someone remeasure the distance from the rear axle to the center of bolt attaching rear carrier to the frame, just as you did in step 4.
6. The difference between the two measurements should be 85 mm (3.3 in.). Adjust the spring preload length, as required, to achieve this figure. But do not exceed the minimum or maximum spring preload lengths.
MINIMUM SPRING PRELOAD LENGTH: 236.7 mm (9.3 in)
MAXIMUM SPRING PRELOAD LENGTH: 248.5 mm (9.7 in)
7. Tighten the shock luck nut securely. then, reinstall the seat/rear fender, making sure that it is attached securely.

The rear carrier being the grabbar.

There is an illistration that shows where to measure. If you need it I can get it to you also.