Raising rear suspension? -- 1991 FJ1200

[Tim_IA]

I bought a 91 FJ1200 last fall.  The guy was too short and fat to ride it any more.  Apparently he lowered it to make it easier, because the rear is pretty low. 

I'm 6'1", so I don't need it to be anywhere near as low.  It's so low that I can't get it on the center stand without first jacking it up.

First, I need to determine how it was lowered.  It looks to be the factory shock.  I can't manage to turn the preload collar with the hook wrench in the tool kit; are there techniques to this?

What other methods may he have used?  Different length connecting arms in the suspension?  What is the length of an OEM one, center-to-center?

[Pat Conlon]

Hello Tim, with your '91 FJ1200 it's easy to adjust the rear height by installing shorter "Dogbones" See them # 15 below?

You can make these links yourself. Here's a post you can read for the info:  http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=760.0

Cheers laddie!  Pat

[Tim_IA]

Ok, thanks, I see the dogbones post.  I dug into it more today, and it has the factory dogbones.  It looks like he actually just cranked the preload all the way down to lower the ride height. 

Now the problem is that I can't get the preload collar to turn with the stupid wrench from the bike tool kit.  Is there a trick?  A technique?  I removed the battery box, air inlet, and inner rear fairing, and I still can't manage to get the thing to turn more than about 1/2 bump.  I notice that the preload collar is starting to bend where I'm forcing it, so I'm not forcing it any more.

Am I going to have to take the shock off to adjust it?

I'd like to try to sort the OEM shock out first before I dump Penske money.

Thanks,
Tim

[FJmonkey]

I'd like to try to sort the OEM shock out first before I dump Penske money.
Thanks,
Tim

I hope you fix your lowering problem, but if you decide to spring for a new rear shock then consider the RPM unit. Not yet released yet but Randy at RPM has been putting out some really good upgrades to our FJ's. Once my company starts using Domex, I might be able to help a few club mates out with custom dog bones...

[Arnie]

That spring adjusting collar has probably not been moved in close to 20 years.  You could try spraying some penetrating oil or 50/50 mix of acetone & ATF up there to free it a bit.  Even when clean and lubed it isn't easy to turn.  Good luck

Arnie

[racerman_27410]

put the bike on the centerstand and take the weight off the rear wheel.

penetrating oil


practice some patience.

ramp up the preload.........


then get a good shock! 


seriously... valves in the front forks (or better yet cartridge forks) and a good shock on the rear and you will think its a completely different motorcycle! (for the wayyy better)

good suspension is the number one best thing anyone could do to a FJ.

Kookaloo!

[Tim_IA]

Thanks for the advice; I was able to adjust the preload by:
1) dousing the top of the shock with Liquid Wrench
2) using a pliers-style oil filter wrench to turn it.  This has three small teeth spaced around the jaws, and one of them meshed well with the metal collar on the shock.

I ramped up the preload and this raised the rear about 1/2 inch.  Better than nothing.

I'm taking the board's advice and I ordered a set of Randy's new front fork valves and springs.  I noticed that my fork seals are leaking, so I figured I'd tackle all the fork work at once.

Then, when Randy's rear shock is ready, maybe I'll take that plunge too.  I've been scraping the center stand in corners when my girlfriend is on the back (I weigh 220# and she 130#, so the bike shouldn't be overloaded).  Time for rear suspension upgrades. 

Thanks for the advice, folks.

[JimmyD]

Yeah, I know the feeling, I'm 200, she is 160, the rear of this bike is tak'en a beating!