rear shock setting/possible rebuild?

[dontlikeoc]

With the bike finally running - I sold my soul and used some outside help - I noticed that the rear wheel goes right to left at non-freeway ride more than I thought. This doensnt happen all the time, but only when I am at the bumpiest part of the pavement (The roads are bad in LA) I know that the rear tire is due for replacing. I weigh 200LB.

1) What is your rear shock setting? What should I look out for?

2) How do you tell for sure whether the shocks are bad? (I could never tell by pushing and seeing how fast it bouces back...)

3) How effective is having the rear-shocks rebuilt? Do you always recommend replacing them, instead? Is it possible to rebuild them at home?

[TomRodgers]

IMHO, find a newer set on ebay or pop for some new progressives.....for awhile there was a dude on ebay selling new adjustable coil-overs that looked sweet

they were like 110 bucks.

as long as the length matches the bolt holes, you should be able to fit whatever you want on there...

With the bike finally running - I sold my soul and used some outside help - I noticed that the rear wheel goes right to left at non-freeway ride more than I thought. This doensnt happen all the time, but only when I am at the bumpiest part of the pavement (The roads are bad in LA) I know that the rear tire is due for replacing. I weigh 200LB.

THAT sounds scary!!!

The rear wheel is only 'sposed to go round and round, and up and down a little....not left to right....WTF??? sounds like trouble to me....

[CatatonicBug]

I keep mine set at notch #2 (second from the most extended). This is with a full dresser setup, but my bags are pretty much empty (maybe 5-7 lbs total in them). I'm about 180 lbs myself. I would think that as long as they are holding you up and not bottoming out when hitting reasonable bumps, they are ok.

The side-to-side movement is what worries me the most. It sounds like you need to check the swingarm bearings. Make sure the swingarm bolt is tight too.

[cywelchjr]

Swingarm bearings or the wheel bearings. It could be either, and the bad luck one would be having the left wheel bearing bad, since that's the unobtainium one. <g>

BTW, I was a bit disappointed that they used the term in Avatar for the excuse for what they were doing. Obviously, if they can get it it's not unobtainium is it?

[dontlikeoc]

I cannot tell if the rear is just bouncing around.

[Larrym]

Trust your Glutamus Maximus...

I cannot tell if the rear is just bouncing around.

If your backside is telling you that something is wonky then it's time to put the bike on the centerstand and take a look at the rear suspension. Check tire pressure first.

In particular I'd suggest trying to push the rear wheel from side to side and then see just what's moving. Twice I've seen the rear axle not torqued to specifications.

Both of these times were on Kawasaki Voyagers with shaft drive like our XSes. Each one had about 1/8 inch of lateral movement when I reefed on the rear wheel sideways.

Simple fix was to re-torque the axle and put a new cotter key in the castle nut.

If the swing arm bearings are shot then the same side-pressure test might/might not reveal anything. Never seen that problem.


For shock replacement give a shout out to Andreas Weiss. I recently purchased a set for my Special from him.

[tarzan]

A bad tire can be pretty squirrelly. JAT

[dontlikeoc]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

If you can give a couple of more samples of preload/damping combinations, it would be great.

Since I have a new tire lying here, I will get it put on first, and play with the combinations that work for other people.

[Larrym]

More Ice Cream, M'lady??

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

If you can give a couple of more samples of preload/damping combinations, it would be great.

Since I have a new tire lying here, I will get it put on first, and play with the combinations that work for other people.

My Special has the pre-load set to the lowest setting. I don't ride that aggressively and I weigh about 180 lbs. Problem is that even at that lowest pre-load if I come to a good whumper like you get when entering/exiting a bridge, I have to x-fer my weight to the foot pegs and sometimes raise off the seat. Otherwise I'd have to see a chiropractor after the ride.

Worse still are the roads where it isn't exactly a steady washboard but has those annoying intermittent bumps which are just enough to unsettle me and ruin the magic moment. I've owned bikes with more forgiving rear suspensions and at times I recall them fondly.

Thing is that my special has the factory highback seat. If I find some obliging lady to ride behind me and lean back, it's a whole different ride. Just about as soft and comfy as I've experienced.

It's all about sprung weight load for me: better off to have a babe on the back. For the beauty and the ballast.

Can't get much better than that.

[dontlikeoc]

Larry,

That is a thought. I will try the lowest setting to see as soon as the seat comes back from reupholstering. Hope that the rear shocks arent tunes for "tandem only".

[Poprock]

XJ 1100 air shocks are a nice replacement. Get the oil level right, bolt em on and air em up to what ever firmness you like. Great for 2-up, just shoot a little more air in. Works well for me on a full dress Special. Downside is you lose the helmet lock on the left side.