Rear shock help

[duanelr]

This is a picture of me trying to adjust the preload on the rear shock.('87)
1. What the purpose of the spring-loaded cap that covers the adjuster-nut?

2. In the OEM service manual (page 2.31) it talks about there being five steps of adjustment.
Where on the bike are those five steps marked?

3. There's not enough room for me to move the box-end-wrench to make a meaningful adjustment (1/8th or 1/16th of a turn only). Does that intake boot come off? I halfheartedly tried but didn't want to break something.

Thank you, Duane

[moparman70]

others with answer as well but the 5 adjustments may mean that adjustment just below where you have your wrench -- as I remember there are 5 settings on that dial with the white knob

[duanelr]

Well shoot, that's a window. It tells you how much preload has been dialed into the shock, but I didn't see it because the intake boot was in the way. (I'm a bit embarrassed)

Before I lay into it with some muscle, can that intake boot be removed? (I mean without damaging it)
jesus christ this should be simple..

[balky1]

There's a small chain going from that adjuster to the shock. Lube it prior you give it a muscle. Otherwise you might break something. It is not too easy to turn it, but it shouldn't be very hard also.
White button like thing is used for rebound, it has markings on it.

[Dieselman7.3]

I find mines a lot easier to adjust when the bikes on it center stand (rear tire off the ground)

[moparman70]

Intake boot can be removed -- its just flexible rubber piece-- and you should be able to manipulate it back into place when done  -- take note of the alignment arrows on the side.  Or you can remove the whole side cover that exposes the air cleaner -- 3 philips head screws ---(  I think -- if its that side that has the opening -- but If memory serves the opening is on the left side so maybe not for you here)

[FJ_Hooligan]

That extended intake snorkel does not look stock. 
Is it slipped over a shorter intake at the airbox?

Neither my '85 nor my '93 had anything that looked like that.

[moparman70]

its a stock piece all mine have it -- 86  I think some had hard plastic all the way out --  maybe the 90 is like the hard piece nozzle.

[Country Joe]

My son's 87 FJ 1200 airbox has the rubber snorkels on both sides.

[TomJK]

Hi
Check top of rear shock, with mine the nylon(?) holder of the spring was breaking up, so it was time for a new one, got a YSS, then you can take these parts you are working on off, the new types do not use these parts anymore. After 30 years I think it is time to renew that shock anyway.
Cheers, Tom.