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suspension question 83 gs1100e

trevor

trevor

Forum Guru
Past Site Supporter
I can't find any where in a manual I have that explains the rear shock system. At the top of the shocks are numbers 1 through 4. I'm wondering how they are supposed to be set in relation to the bottom settings?
Thanks
 
There is no right or wrong way to set the shocks. Spring preload should be set to adjust your running sag. Most people adjust them up so you don't bottom out too often. The damping adjustment typically goes up in parallel with the preload setting, but not necessarily. Jack up the setting to avoid wobbling in corners, particularly when running over rough roads. If the bike is not unstable, you can run the damping as low as you want to improve ride quality.
 
Nessism said:
There is no right or wrong way to set the shocks. Spring preload should be set to adjust your running sag. Most people adjust them up so you don't bottom out too often. The damping adjustment typically goes up in parallel with the preload setting, but not necessarily. Jack up the setting to avoid wobbling in corners, particularly when running over rough roads. If the bike is not unstable, you can run the damping as low as you want to improve ride quality.
Click to expand...

So what do the numbers represent? Lower the number means what to the ride? I understand the pre-load concept but not the 'damping' part.
Thanks Ed,
Trevor
 
Damping refers to the speed that the wheel responds to "bumps" if you will. Less damping will allow the wheel to respond quickly while more damping slows down the speed of the response. As stated above, an increase in spring rate should also have an increase in damping as well, as the greater spring rate can overcome the damping.
Again, this is NOT a situation where more is better, or less is faster- it is a condition that must be balanced for a smooth or sporting ride.

Just to confuse things, my flattrack racers have quick compression damping and slow rebound damping!
stockframeleft_zpse964b723.jpg


See you at the races! Paul
 
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trevor said:
So what do the numbers represent? Lower the number means what to the ride? I understand the pre-load concept but not the 'damping' part.
Thanks Ed,
Trevor
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure the numbers are the damping with 4 being the highest. Same on the front.

damping is how much resistance to change in ride height there is (i.e. shock stroke velocity). Generally the stiffer the spring or the higher the load the stiffer the damping needs to be.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damping
 
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