What have you tinkered with today?

[Adam Ef]

I think I've worked out the rear problems. The hydraulic preload aduster only has a range of 10mm. You can set the ring in a position for it to start from. Makes sense as it's for quick adjustment for two up riding. Previous owner had it set at minimum preload position to adjust from. So the preload is only adjustable from nothing to 10mm down the threads with the adjuster. I need to wind the collar down to have a more pre-loaded position for the hydraulic adjuster from. Looks like I need to get the shock out to access the grub screw and collar though.


Front is still a mystery. I can get that closer to the desired range though, so will adjust the back and test ride as soon as the weather allows me space to do it outside.

[Adam Ef]

Originally Posted by Bibio

i take it to work out your static sag you have taken a measurement with the rear off the ground (free sag) then another with the bike on the ground upright then taken the free sag from the static sag..


the hand adjuster on nitron shocks is for carrying pillions and small sag adjustments. larger adjustments need to be made via the ring collar above which you need the pin tool for.

Yep. All adjusted / measured in the way I learnt from your posts a while back. I have the main one bookmarked to refer to.


I think I was posting about the collar adjustment at the same time you posted the solution. Cheers again Bibio.

[Bibio]

unless the spring rate is badly out of spec the front is not done by sag measurements. its done with a marker and riding the bike.

[Bibio]

Originally Posted by Adam Ef

Yep. All adjusted / measured in the way I learnt from your posts a while back. I have the main one bookmarked to refer to.


I think I was posting about the collar adjustment at the same time you posted the solution. Cheers again Bibio.

so what did you set the rear static sag at?

[Adam Ef]

It's not adusted correctly. Just as far as I can with the current collar position on the shock. Still way out from where it needs to be but I haven't got back to trying to get access to the dark cavern the rear VFR shock lives in tucked away behind the exhaust and rear wheel. Darkness and rain have descended again so it's game over until my next day off... Sunday.


I find it amazing though that someone went to the trouble to put about £800 worth of rear shock on this bike and then set it up so badly. It would be better off stock than the current settings. My previous VFR handled really well with the stock shock, especially considering it's a 240kg bike.

[Adam Ef]

Originally Posted by Bibio

...larger adjustments need to be made via the ring collar above which you need the pin tool for.

The manual says you need to remove the spring to do this?! Is that really necessary. Looks like I can't get access to it without taking the shock off the bike anyway. Reinstalling and removing every time I take measurements seems a bit crazy.

[BoltonSte]

Adam,


Do you not set the adjuster to the midpoint or minimum (to give you 10mm of increase) measure the sag and the distance from the top of the adjustment ring to the top of the threads, wind the preload on to expose the holes in the ring then you adjust the height of the ring to where you need it to match the difference in sag you are aiming for?


The general idea is on this vid (they are taking the spring off but you aren't going that far.


https://www.nitronusa.com/tech/shock-servicing


Ste

[Adam Ef]

Back working on trying to sort the VFR rear preload. Of course it's pi$$ing it down so I'm working in a cramped garage with lights shining in my face instead of onto the bits they're meant to be illuminating.


The hydraulic preloader that's meant to have 10mm of travel seems to only have about 3mm. So not enough to expose the actual preload collar to adjust on the bike. Looks like it needs removing from the bike and the adjuster needs a service. I've got the linkage off with a bit of faff and double jointed wrists... but can find no way of undoing the top shock mount without taking half the bike apart. It's hidden behind all the ABS pump pipes and loads of electrics and the engine. I think I'm starting to realise why a previous owner never adjusted it.

[Adam Ef]

Managed to refill the (empty!) preload adjuster with fork oil. Dripped it into the adjuster oil port while gradually backing off the adjuster and it sucked it in. A couple of attempts and plenty of bubbles burping out of the port and I've now managed to get the hydraulic collar to move enough to reveal the actual preload collar underneath. So pleased to see it's actually there as expected. I can now give up trying to remove the top shock mount. Now I just need the Nitron pin spanner.




+ I contacted Nitron about checking it's the right shock / spring for the bike and they got back to me asking for a code off the top. Not that I can see the code without removing the shock, but great to know they log all their shocks and their intended use when purchased. I've always been impressed with their customer service and communication / help.

[Adam Ef]

VFR back together. Managed to get the preload down to an acceptable 20mm rear. Test ride just as it was getting dark and it felt much better. Backed off the front preload slightly too and tipped in nicely. Still not feeling totally confident in the front end like I did with the previous one I had. Needs more tweaks I think. Might put the ride height back down a bit as it's been maxed out on the rear. That should allow me to drop the front preload a bit more and possibly go for slightly stiffer springs and new oil up front.


It did get dark very quickly and chucked it down as soon as I got near the corners I was heading for on the test ride, so difficult to say if the front end handling is feeling better or not yet. I think I'm headed in the right direction. Really need a bright, dry day to sort it properly. Roll on spring ....