86 fj1200 rear shock

[Shane4371]

Please advise,does increasing spring preload on the rear shock increase ride height?

[FJmonkey]

Please advise,does increasing spring preload on the rear shock increase ride height?

Yes, but only if your shock is really sacked out. Pre-load is about proper suspension setting, not ride height. A rear shock that is not set properly means your rear end is not tracking the road properly. I have the RPM rear shock on my '89 and have it set a tad tight according to Randy (he helped me set it, then I went a turn more). It still seems soft. But I find myself riding much closer to the edges of my tires than before. The '84 to '87 do not have the dog bones to adjust rear ride height. My '86 will get a new upper shock mount welded on to make the RPM shock work with dog bones.

[Shane4371]

I ride with my wife a lot,I'm 225,she 140,the bike bounces a lot and almost bottoms out with us on it,would increasing preload or rebound resolve this issue,when I'm only on it,its perfect.

[FJmonkey]

Then use pre-load, it is meant to adjust for added weight.

[simi_ed]

You seem to be describing a dead shock.  Damping is gone, cannot control the spring. Welcome to a 30 year old bike!

[Pat Conlon]

Please advise,does increasing spring preload on the rear shock increase ride height?

No, it does not increase the ride height.

The ride height is the same when you increase the preload, it just makes the spring harder to compress when placed under load (passenger) 

[Shane4371]

I hope the age of the shock isn't the issue.omg those shocks are costly,I'll try increasing preload and play with damper.i think tracking was mentioned,thats a issue of  the rear wheel not running inline with the front tire at speed,seems to me that would be a torque arm issue or bushing issue,idk havent really studied the suspention indepth yet.thanks for the advice

[FJ1100mjk]

If money is a problem for you at this time, and your old OEM shock is shot, someone here may have a workable old one lying around, since they upgraded to a new aftermarket one. Probably could get it for the price of shipping only.

[Shane4371]

Thanks so much.I'll figure out what's up with it.then go from their.