C Spanner - Rear Preload Adjustment

i dunno why no spanner...
especially since the SV1000 is more of a pillion bike, and if you are riding with a pillion, you should increase ur rear preload, right???
The SV1K shock has a remote damper, the rear compresion and rebound adjustment is on that. I beleive on the pre 2005 SV1000 the shock is different

You ever ridden an sv1000?

Originally Posted by jessie

i dunno why no spanner...
especially since the SV1000 is more of a pillion bike, and if you are riding with a pillion, you should increase ur rear preload, right???
The SV1K shock has a remote damper, the rear compresion and rebound adjustment is on that. I beleive on the pre 2005 SV1000 the shock is different

You ever ridden an sv1000?

Does the shock have a threaded body and preload adjuster ring and locking ring?

Originally Posted by WRCSixtyThree

Because the thou has fully adjustable suspension, so (although I haven't checked) probably has a proper preload ring on a thread. These are considerably more hassle to adjust than a notch by notch adjuster like the 650 has. Adjusting a preload ring requires much more movement of the C Spanner, and this results in much more likelihood of the spanner slipping and scratching swingarm, shock, frame, etc - or catching fingers or wrists in between spanner and metal. This can result in litigation, hence the statements in the handbook.

My assistant just bought a brand new ZX6-R and that too doesn't have a C Spanner provided. Kawasaki advised taking the bike to a dealer for shock to be dropped out and adjusted on the bench.

having no adjustment for preload seems a real backward step, but i suppose it stops the likes of us 'fiddling'. Isnt there a new beemer out with remote adjustment for the rear shock on the bars??? or did i just dream that???

Originally Posted by WRCSixtyThree

Does the shock have a threaded body and preload adjuster ring and locking ring?

YUP..the Thou has two nut rings (and a strange alloy cup too where it mounts to the upper frame?? yet to investigate..will do when wheel comes off)
Problem i have is that i do not know what setting my bike rear spring preload is at!! It could be factory? i dont know...Theres nothing in the owners manual regarding number of threads or turns!???

Originally Posted by jessie

having no adjustment for preload seems a real backward step, but i suppose it stops the likes of us 'fiddling'. Isnt there a new beemer out with remote adjustment for the rear shock on the bars??? or did i just dream that???

Possible - there's potentially hydraulically or gas-charged preload adjustment dependent on the suspension design. Plus, as I alluded to above, I suspect it's mainly a litigation avoidance tactic rather than to stop people adjusting suspension.

Originally Posted by jessie

YUP..the Thou has two nut rings (and a strange alloy cup too where it mounts to the upper frame?? yet to investigate..will do when wheel comes off)
Problem i have is that i do not know what setting my bike rear spring preload is at!! It could be factory? i dont know...Theres nothing in the owners manual regarding number of threads or turns!???

Normally one turn is equivalent to about 1.5mm of adjustment - clockwise would thread the ring down the shock, increasing preload, anticlockwise decreasing.

Don't forget that increasing or decreasing preload affects sag, and therefore effectively ride height, which has a corresponding effect on steering rake, and therefore steering geometry and turn-in characteristics.

Originally Posted by WRCSixtyThree

Possible - there's potentially hydraulically or gas-charger preload adjustment dependent on the suspension design. Plus, as I alluded to above, I suspect it's mainly a litigation avoidance tactic rather than to stop people adjusting suspension.



Normally one turn is equivalent to about 1.5mm of adjustment - clockwise would thread the ring down the shock, increasing preload, anticlockwise decreasing.

Don't forget that increasing or decreasing preload affects sag, and therefore effectively ride height, which has a corresponding effect on steering rake, and therefore steering geometry and turn-in characteristics.

Cheers for that mate...
i'm a bit new to tweaking bikes, and found some blurb in bike mag saying about increasing the bits and bobs on the bike for the SV1000S.
Ive increased preload, rebound and compression damping on front and the bike turns a bit quicker now. I have felt the back end 'squat' under hardish acceleration out of bends so have increased compression and rebound damping on back slightly too, but think i need to increase rear preload.
i do ride on all sorts of road surfaces, including rutted B roads so need to think about having sufficent damping.
The static ride height thing confused me a bit tho...

Jessie...I always hankered after a big V-twin but back in the day all that was available was a Yamaha with a headlight that looked like it came off a vintage Bentley! Or Hahaharleys!
As the years rolled by Ducati's were the only real contenders but always too expensive, then all of a sudden everyone went loopy for V-twins.
I was very tempted for one of the limited ed SV's in slinky black. One of my fave motto's is "why pay more?" If you can do the same for less then go for it!
I've done 1800 miles on the 650 now and the rear tyre hardly looks worn at all! I'm impressed. If I had the thou the tyres would be shredded! I just wouldn't be able to deny myself the "twist of the wrist!"

I'm going to have to experience that raw energy from a thou V-twin. Its on my 'to do' list. I like this SV so much I think I'm in love! The Duke 1098 is beckoning....just let me wear this 650 out first and I'll get one!

Do Dukes come with C'spanners? Or do you have to send the whole bike off to Milano to be adjusted??

Originally Posted by RhythmJunkie

Jessie...I always hankered after a big V-twin but back in the day all that was available was a Yamaha with a headlight that looked like it came off a vintage Bentley! Or Hahaharleys!
As the years rolled by Ducati's were the only real contenders but always too expensive, then all of a sudden everyone went loopy for V-twins.
I was very tempted for one of the limited ed SV's in slinky black. One of my fave motto's is "why pay more?" If you can do the same for less then go for it!
I've done 1800 miles on the 650 now and the rear tyre hardly looks worn at all! I'm impressed. If I had the thou the tyres would be shredded! I just wouldn't be able to deny myself the "twist of the wrist!"

I'm going to have to experience that raw energy from a thou V-twin. Its on my 'to do' list. I like this SV so much I think I'm in love! The Duke 1098 is beckoning....just let me wear this 650 out first and I'll get one!

Do Dukes come with C'spanners? Or do you have to send the whole bike off to Milano to be adjusted??

The SV1000 wouldnt be my first choice if i didnt have to pay for it!!

Id be looking at a RSVMille or Duc749 (or if i was feeling really silly and could get one a KTM990 supermoto).

But for just less than 4k, i got a 1000 v twin, warrantied, 16 months old with 3000 miles on the clock...had double the national speed limit of of her already, and now have some new bt021 on, am totally addicted.

How much more do u need? She goes round corners well, not as good as a cbr600rr or gixer750, but good enough for me...
This bike is far faster than i ever can be.
I suppose it all relative..if i had a blade or a ducati, id probably think theSV is a bit of donkey.