Questions about my new-to-me rear shock

[RumBoy]

Aight guys/gals. I'm freshly back in the USA and getting into some long awaited work on my '86 FJ1200. The rear wheel is down the shop getting a new Sport Demon mounted, and while that is happening, I'm wanting to adjust my rear shock.

The problem: As it was set from when I bought it from George, when in the bike, the center stand would scrape the road under the slightest bump while cornering, and even under moderate bumps while riding straight.  I figured what I would do is loosen the two locking cogs that are holding the spring down thereby giving the shock a little more play and increase the ride height. That was my theory anyway.

Problem is, I've unwound the top cog up to where I want to place it, but as I've been unwinding the bottom cog, the spring is now loose. You can see from the photo what I mean.  Buggered if I know how to post images, but I'll give it a go.
Is this normal? Is the spring too short, or is it ok to have the spring just flopping around in there with a 2" gap between shock-end. (If I continue to undo the cog holding the shock in place) (I can't imagine that to be true)

https://picasaweb.google.com/115049237906842899781/ShockPhotos#5804065482116921186



Hopefully I've explained my problem clearly.. Hep me, Hep me, I have no clue about shocks.

[rktmanfj]

Linky no worky...     

Not sure if the '86 has the same type adjuster as the '89 or not.       

If so, crank the shock all the way up, then you can unbolt the adjuster and turn it back to zero, then bolt it back on and give it another turn or two.  I've been running mine (on a scale of 5) at about 7 for a while now.  I had the $$$ set aside for a Penske, but then I heard the RPM shock was coming along.

[Arnie]

OK, Rummy

IF I'm understanding what you have and what you want to do - I agree, you have no idea.

Changing the preload tension on the spring will NOT affect ride height (except in the most minimal way)  and "ride height" doesn't seem to be your problem anyhow.

Those concentric rings on the body of the shock determine how much preload you have.  It seems to me that you need to INCREASE the tension until your sag (difference in height of the rear of the bike when its unloaded and when you're sitting on it) is only about 30mm.
Next, you have to determine why the centerstand is hitting the ground.  Is the C/S  spring too weak to hold it up?  Is the linkage hitting the C/S forcing it down?  Is the shock that George installed too long eye to eye which prevents the C/S from retracting to its proper UP position?
You may have to remove the C/S and only use it for maintenance.

Arnie   

The problem: As it was set from when I bought it from George, when in the bike, the center stand would scrape the road under the slightest bump while cornering, and even under moderate bumps while riding straight.  I figured what I would do is loosen the two locking cogs that are holding the spring down thereby giving the shock a little more play and increase the ride height. That was my theory anyway.

Problem is, I've unwound the top cog up to where I want to place it, but as I've been unwinding the bottom cog, the spring is now loose. You can see from the photo what I mean.  Buggered if I know how to post images, but I'll give it a go.
Is this normal? Is the spring too short, or is it ok to have the spring just flopping around in there with a 2" gap between shock-end. (If I continue to undo the cog holding the shock in place) (I can't imagine that to be true)

Hopefully I've explained my problem clearly.. Hep me, Hep me, I have no clue about shocks.

[RumBoy]

Meh, I'm not really any further ahead than when I started. I think I may wait and see what Randy wants for his RPM shocks and get one kitted up for my weight and a baby-doll I intend to have on the bitch-seat with me.

Prior to installing this new shock I had no problems with ride height. No scraping of anything. Not even close.

If I'm reading you right Arnie, maybe I should be cranking the spring down tighter, not loosening it up, to increase the spring load. That will make it harder for the bike to bottom out, then?  There wasn't much pre-load on it, I discovered, as I was un-tightening the 'nuts/cogs'

Cheers 

[Arnie]

Yes, tighten the rings to get some preload in there and that should stop or at least reduce the bottoming.
What shock is it you've installed? 
What is the eye to eye OR the overall length? 
Is it longer than the stock shock?
What spring rate is on that shock?
This "George" you got the shock from, is that the one in Sacramento?

Arnie

[RumBoy]

Yes, tighten the rings to get some preload in there and that should stop or at least reduce the bottoming. Sounds like a plan. See. I had it all arse-about...
What shock is it you've installed?   It's a 'Works Ultrasport' shock, with remote reservoir
What is the eye to eye OR the overall length?   It's still in the bike, but I'm 100% certain it was the same length as the stock shock
Is it longer than the stock shock?
What spring rate is on that shock?  ?? No idea
This "George" you got the shock from, is that the one in Sacramento? Yes

Arnie

[Mark Olson]

tighten up your preload as mentioned . there is no ride height adj on that shock.