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General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: Goetz on October 03, 2012, 06:51:33 PM

Title: quick questions
Post by: Goetz on October 03, 2012, 06:51:33 PM
Just got the bike, 85 fj1100, all stock but for some K&n pod filters and its been lowered.
I want to bring the geometry back to stock before i go for a long ride, 350 miles on the blueridge parkway next weekend.
1) is it possible for the rear shock preload to be used to shorten the overall length of the shock?
2) where should the forks sit in the triples (stock)

pics:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8461/8052063078_dc54017e80_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87853494@N07/8052063078/)
DSC00238 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87853494@N07/8052063078/#) by goetzjordan (http://www.flickr.com/people/87853494@N07/), on Flickr
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8032/8052065564_12aa607d85_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87853494@N07/8052065564/)
DSC00231 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87853494@N07/8052065564/#) by goetzjordan (http://www.flickr.com/people/87853494@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: FJmonkey on October 03, 2012, 07:00:09 PM
My forks are as low as they can go in the triple clamps but you can lower your front to get better turn in feel. Need to see more pictures of how the rear was lowered. After 87' it was easy to raise/lower the rear with the dog bones, not so on the 84 to 87 years. Change the shock length or change out the cast aluminum piece on the bottom. Not sure if anyone made these as aftermarket parts. I guess you could loose all the pre-load and get the rear to sag under your weight. Crank up the pre-load and it might get too hard to be safe to ride on.
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: Goetz on October 03, 2012, 07:16:06 PM
thanks, which way do i turn the preload adjuster to tighten it/loosen it? and should i get it up off the rear wheel first? no center stand, gotta use car jacks.
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: racerman_27410 on October 03, 2012, 07:27:40 PM
Quote from: Goetz on October 03, 2012, 07:16:06 PM
thanks, which way do i turn the preload adjuster to tighten it/loosen it? and should i get it up off the rear wheel first? no center stand, gotta use car jacks.


usually the preload adjuster turns to the right to tighten the spring.... it would be helpful to get the rear wheel off the ground.

Cant you take a picture of the lower shock linkage?  I'm curious as to how the bike was lowered.


KOokaloo!


Frank
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: Goetz on October 03, 2012, 07:29:00 PM
ill give it a shot, new camera but its dark out. i did not see any dog bones or anything there. btw i just ordered an f4i rear shock and some other stuff.
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: Goetz on October 03, 2012, 07:42:09 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/8052160451_ab20b1b51a_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87853494@N07/8052160451/)
DSC00243 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/87853494@N07/8052160451/#) by goetzjordan (http://www.flickr.com/people/87853494@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: Goetz on October 03, 2012, 07:43:06 PM
does that look normal?
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: FJmonkey on October 03, 2012, 07:48:44 PM
Quote from: Goetz on October 03, 2012, 07:43:06 PM
does that look normal?
What I see in the picture looks normal. Nothing looks altered.
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: Goetz on October 03, 2012, 07:58:23 PM
weird, whats the stock seat height, cause mine feels lower than my xs400
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: fj11.5 on October 03, 2012, 08:07:34 PM
maybe they fitted a shorter shock
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: Goetz on October 03, 2012, 08:13:13 PM
well, ill measure it when i get it out for the F4I swap next week.... yay. ive owned it for 12 hours and parts are already on the way.
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: fj11.5 on October 03, 2012, 08:15:40 PM
nothing like starting early , you will love the new Honda shock
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: racerman_27410 on October 03, 2012, 08:20:05 PM
Yup that linkage all looks normal.

the forks should be flush with the tops of the handlebar clamps

KOokaloo!


Frank
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: Goetz on October 03, 2012, 08:42:06 PM
thanks, yall, and +1to you 11.5, your writeup on the honda swap was great.
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: fj11.5 on October 03, 2012, 09:15:24 PM
no worries mate, glad it came in handy
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: SlowOldGuy on October 03, 2012, 10:05:38 PM
The stock shock on my '85 had a black spring. 

I see the chain sprocket so maybe the shock is stock, but has a different spring?

DavidR.
Title: Re: quick questions
Post by: FJmonkey on October 03, 2012, 10:07:34 PM
Quote from: SlowOldGuy on October 03, 2012, 10:05:38 PM
The stock shock on my '85 had a black spring. 

I see the chain sprocket so maybe the shock is stock, but has a different spring?

DavidR.
Good point, a chopped spring or shorter spring with different (stiffer) rate can lower the rear...