Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

Hi, firstly I'm new on this forum, just joined after watching it for a while and hope I can learn more about my bike from it. I have a curvey model SV650S.

I've recently started taking a heavy pillion more regularly, my girlfriend weighs only 7 stone so it's not a problem with her, but my friend I give a lift to uni is closer to 12. So my question is, can the rear suspension be adjusted so the bike handles with all the extra weight, and if so, how would I go about it?

Thanks.

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension
 

Add more preload, you need a C spanner for the rear shock.
You many turns has it got on at the mo?

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension
 

As Razor said just adjust it a couple of notches and see how it handles!

And welcome to the mad house:cool:

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

It can be adjusted, look in the owners manual if you have one. Look at the top of the shock, there is a silver ring with steps in it (referred to as notches by most) As folks have said, use the C-spanner from the tool kit and move the notched ring clockwise to the tallest notch. This is the maximum preload which you will need witha 12 stone passenger.

With a 12 stone passenger and 12 stone rider, even with max pre-load the shock is struggling. Just adjust riding to suit.

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

Thanks for all the replies, I managed to adjust it this morning and it made a bit of a difference to ease of riding, but still it's not nice to ride at any pace with a heavy pillion!

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

What mileage has your bike covered? It sounds like your shock is getting a bit tired and could do with changing!

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

Any recommendations for settings for a Pointy with 9 stone pillion?

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

For bikes like the SV with not a lot of adjustment ie only preload this is what I do.

I set the bike sag so it about 10mm or there abouts. Seeing as the spring on the SV relatively speaking is soft, any thing between 5mm-10mm would suffice. Edge towards 10mm for solo and 5mm for pillion/large boned.

Then just ride the t*ts of the bike :mrgreen:


Ben

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

i haven't figured out exactly how to adjust the preload to the optimal setting i weight 150lbs for you English people that is 10.7 stone and my girl friend weights 105 lbs 7.5 stone does anybody know a ball park figure on which settings the preload should be with just me and with both of us on a pointy

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

I don't think you'll go wrong if you follow the advice above you. Ask again if you don't understand it though.

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

It's done 23,000 miles, when should I look at changing the shock?

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

I'd say about now then it is well past its life span!

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

I'm a 9st girlie and want to take my nearly 20st friend as pillion. Can my K4 handle it and what adjustments would I need to make? Or do I need to make him eat less pies first?!?! =/
Thanks

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

Yr bike could cope, but I would be seriously concerned about you being able to control the bike.
I can't imagine it would be a pleasant experience for you at all, never mind potentially v. dangerous indeed.

Why??? :???:

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

Bloody ell fire.

Tell him to eat less pies. Basically unless you fit a shock with a scaffold pole for a spring then the bike will be down on the bump stop and handle very unpleasantly. So safe enough but progress will be very slow!

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

Im slightly concerned now.

Im 14st7 and it sound slike im too heavy for the bike, my other half is about the same as me (well a bit larger actually) and she'd like to go pillion.

Ive never carried a pillion before so Im guessing this is a bad idea?

Also a good excuse to make her do her test and get her own bike

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

is it different on a curvy, cos on a pointy you turn anti-clock for more pre-load.

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

Must be then! My curvy was clockwise IIRC.

Re: Changing the Rear Suspension (adjusting standard shock)
 

cancel that, the pictures in the pointy book are wrong, so as a result i have been riding around with it on minimum setting with 13 -27stone on it, still wasn't too bad, better now though, suzuki *****.