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FJ1100 Ride Height Adjusting

Started by Bogan, August 29, 2010, 07:08:35 PM

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Bogan

August 29, 2010, 07:08:35 PM
Folks,

Am about to embark on a holiday trip with the FJ1100 loaded up with camping gear etc. Is there an easy way to jack up the rear ride height to compensate for the luggage before we go?  I know I could get the whole thing overhauled but for a cheap quick fix can I get a bit more clearance somehow?

Dan Filetti

#1
August 29, 2010, 07:49:49 PM
No way to easily 'lift' the back-end, but assuming all is working as it's supposed to, you could, I believe increase the pre-load a little, or a lot depending on how much weight you've decided to add. 

If that's not an option, (not working etc.) shorter dog bones can be swapped in for the ones on the bike which will actually lift the rear end as much as you like.  Not sure how easy the shorter dog bones are to get, not how easily they go in though.  Others will chime in I'm sure.

The 'correct' thing to do to a bike that is 25-26 years old is replace that shock, preferable with a Pensky with adjustable ride height.  But I gather that's not in the cards before your trip, so too many be the dog-bones then. 

Dan
Live hardy, or go home. 

Arnie

#2
August 29, 2010, 08:24:52 PM
Dan,

The early FJ's had a couple of cast links in the suspension, but no "dog bone links" that would make changing the ride height easy.

About the only change I can see to vary the ride height would be to change the shock assembly.
Adding some preload will help keep the wheel from rubbing, but won't change the ride height.

Cheers,
Arnie

Dan Filetti

#3
August 29, 2010, 10:09:18 PM
Shows what I know....

Dan
Live hardy, or go home. 

fj1250

#4
September 11, 2010, 02:52:18 PM
You can "crank up the spring on the stock shock.
Using normal adjustment to the heaviest setting, then unbolt the adjuster to put enough slack in the adjusting chain to unhook it form the sprocket. Then turn the adjuster back to its softest setting, re-hook the chain, bolt the adjustere down, and crank in some more spring.

While this usually won't change the ride height, it will keep the bike form sagging under a load.

I have seen some FJ's lowered by doing the reverse of this.

If your carryng a load that can't be adjusted by this method, there is a "heavy" spring for sale on ebay.

Mike C
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