Lads (and others),

Bro Tom and I have just now fitted our BRAND NEW RAM rear shocks. I seem to recall that there was some discussion as to how to set up the spring pre-load. I'm thinking along the lines of measuring the height of the rear end with no load, and then measure it again with the "normal" load, ie, rider and some gear. I'm thinking 2" (50mm) sag, 1½" sag, 1" sag, or does one just wind it up and suck it and see?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Rickmeister.

20 to 30 mm uli

seems about right to me
really depends on rebound and a few other things when you have a shock with both adjustments

no recommendation sheet ?

perhaps "lifeguard" could help here ?

the "twin clicker" was well documented
and I can send the details ...or setup guide to you if you like ....

Rickmiester i was told 20mm sag for a seated 75kg rider

So double that 

K75cster wrote:Rickmiester i was told 20mm sag for a seated 75kg rider

Out of curiosity I decided one day to measure the difference between my normal body weight and fully kitted out. Morning weight was 75kg and I am 5' 8" [173cm]. Weigh yourself in the morning to check body weight. Kitted out the same day, same scales I found the difference was 15kg. I expect most of us are minimum 75kg [165lbs] naked meaning the minimum set up should probably be 90kg and a few more for whatever stuff we take with us......another 5-10kg?.

when your setting up the suspension I have always been told to do it with all my bike gear on as there can be a fair difference once your fully clobbered up!

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:

K75cster wrote:Rickmiester i was told 20mm sag for a seated 75kg rider

Out of curiosity I decided one day to measure the difference between my normal body weight and fully kitted out. Morning weight was 75kg and I am 5' 8" [173cm]. Weigh yourself in the morning to check body weight. Kitted out the same day, same scales I found the difference was 15kg. I expect most of us are minimum 75kg [165lbs] naked meaning the minimum set up should probably be 90kg and a few more for whatever stuff we take with us......another 5-10kg?.

hmm.... rickmeister is a little ...erm... more than that  ..but still cuts a lean figure whilst on the bike at "his" speed  ....grin

Wasn't there an article in Cycle torque by geoff Seddon about setting the "squat when at speed" I know that mag died years ago but I'm sure it was all about riding to your fav road with the big dips in it and using zippy ties to check you progress up the shaft, it was about balance from what people were used to and waht they needed on the road, so like most things, say headache tablets etc are all based on Mr Average being 75kg, it is believed the average rider is that also and the spring rates on oem are set to be bike and 75kg rider in the bottom pozzie, so we replace them with non stock items and off you go in search of the correct set up, so spring size and compression dampening value and rebound value are all as yet sorted by the rider, so seddo did an article on "how to" Anyone Down under remember it or got a mag with it in???

They didn't call him sausage boy back in the fifties for nothing.:cyclops: 
Get it sorted Rickmeister, we got some riding to do, you don't want me catching up to you. (I'm tipping the scales at somewhere over 100k.s so I'm allowed to poke fun).

Gentlemen, the thought of any of you sitting on your bikes naked to test your "rebound" and "compression" is too much for me.

Thanks Stan now I will have trouble sleeping for a week.

Rick I would set it up so that with your weight WITH your riding gear on you sag 25mm and use that as a starting point.

Most suspension guides go with 25-30%(of the total suspension travel) static sag with the rider seated.  Its always worked for me on my solos.

On the sidecar I don't care all that much as long as nothing is bottoming out. My front shocks have springs that are too stiff though.  I'll get a round tuit one day.

Al

Thanx v.much, Lads!  GroverK and Keith are coming over to my joint on Sunday...will do the adjustment then.

Cheers, Rickmeister.  (I'm big and tough, I can handle those FAT jokes!!!)

who's bringing the scones?  
do we need to factor those into the sag?

"Wasn't there an article in Cycle torque by geoff Seddon about setting the "squat when at speed" I know that mag died years ago..."

It's still going...and there's an app that you can view it on your Apple stuff.

It's free.

It's at the bike shops.

It's here

Sunday eh?

What time Rickmeister? Is there room for one more?
I was going to play golf, but I can't play golf.
Some may say I can't ride a motorcycle, but I know what I would rather be doing and it is not walking 17km on freshly mown grass

Rosco you will ride anywhere if someone mentions scones

free scones ?   ha good point waz ...

I vividly remember an American tourist at the counter of our bakery before the shop girls started work asking me what a scone was. He started by saying, I think I'll have an apple pie, no make that a vanilla slice, no on second thoughts make that a custard tart,  ahaaa what's a scone he asked. So I replied. Your a F###en scone for note making your mined up, then he stormed out of the shop. I wonder if he ever found out what  a scone was? At least rossko knows a scones worth a ride. It seems someone's slung scones at you rossko and it's stuck. This is not to offend any American forum members just one dopey tourist. I hope you sort out the sag problem rickmeister.
 
Smithy

I must do that sag thing one day 'cos my pillion is now 47kgs not 75! And more importantly

I'm down to 84 from 91, 9 more to go mind, working on it.

My (much maligned) IKON shock got cranked up for the previous weights but guess what?

It still feels good. Damping has gone off tho', time for a Beachcomber?

Managed a quick half hour stroll past Kurri  Kurri, and onto Ricks.
dropped into the local bakery to collect a peace offering , so scones aside , opted for an apple 'n ' custard scroll instead, 
kept it in the kitchen til after the work was done .a wise choice. 
didn't want to be messing with the numbers too much .

results were good , 
bike weight only , measuring from centre of the top Z rail,  675mm.



with average rider loaded,     came down to 645mm    =  30mm sag.  well done Uli.  Time for morning tea and coffee.




Sidecar Pauls load sharing spacer attached to the final drive shock mount. well done Paul.
Just remember to take the bike off the centrestand when taking measurements.. 



anyway looks like Rick is fairly close to the mark , give or take a pound or two
Would have been good for some extras to help absorb the calories , oh well , next time.
Rick had a few rounds on the greens and in the clubhouse yesterday, would have been top weather for it.
 Rossko , I wouldn't have even tempted a swing of the club today , strong winds and 34 degrees. tomorrow is showers and 19. 
still a bit of smoke coming up from the city as well, not the best conditions for much outdoors today.
I even cancelled the long trip home from Ricks ,too much  hot , dry winds .

decent effort there guys ...good onya

good to see the group getting together to help out

ill be betting rick notices some differences straight away ...wont take more than a hundred or so ks I guess

  

now waiting for the report ...hint  hint