adjusting the ride height on a sachs yellow spring shock

[gazuk]

Anyone done it?

How the hell do you do it

First problem is I aint got a spanner big enough for the nuts at the bottome of the shock and secondly I cant see how they are supposed to undo. Also, how the hell can you torque these (as specified in the manual) as there is no way a socket will fit over the end of the shock.

It's not looking good with the falco links, as with the preload at it's maximum the rider sag is 76 with static sag 41mm
I'm hopeing that raiseing the ride height might help

[Thumper]

Hi gazuk it's sounds like you will need the rsv links if you can't up the spring preload enough to get the correct rider sag. raising the ride hight will have no effect on the spring preload or sag. ( you could try fitting the blue falco spring to the rsv shock for a comparison)
You adjust the shock length by loosening the lock nut where fitted and turning the shock body to increase or decrease the length. You then just re tighten the lock nut. I used a spanner to do this, don't use to much force it doesn't need to be very tight.

If your sag is 76mm without rider and 41mm with rider and gear you are not far off and fitting a higher rated spring may be all you need to do if you can't get hold of the rsv links.

[gazuk]

I thought by raising the ride hight, it may put the spring into a better working range (bit like fitting different trianges to raise the shock)

Got the sag the wrong way round. 78mm - Rider sag (?) is with me on the bike fully loaded (this should be between 30-40mm). 41mm static sag (?) without rider (this should be between 5-10mm)

I'll double check, but I'm sure the manu says tighten the locking nut to 40nm, which is quit a force. What size spanner do I need, 26mm?

[falcomunky]

Sorry Im no expert, (I simply adjust til it feels better/worse and then alter accordingly), but I wound the bottom out to fully extend the shock to get max ride height and then wound the spring down, (compressed with adjuster nuts), to tighten it up as its a bouncy spring.
It also raises the ride height.
Ive still got a way to go, but its cheaper, (free!), than a full service and its educational too!!!
Ive got all the settings roughly two turns/clicks/whatever from max as well and Im about 10/11 stone in full kit and ride her hard...
Basically, without the RSV linkages ya gotta firm everything up and then work back down from there.
Or get it serviced and set-up professionally to suit the Falco links, (which can be done apparently)...

[Falco9]

Anyone done it?

How the hell do you do it

First problem is I aint got a spanner big enough for the nuts at the bottome of the shock and secondly I cant see how they are supposed to undo. Also, how the hell can you torque these (as specified in the manual) as there is no way a socket will fit over the end of the shock.

It's not looking good with the falco links, as with the preload at it's maximum the rider sag is 76 with static sag 41mm
I'm hopeing that raiseing the ride height might help

The ride height adjustment is done as per Thumpers instructions, don't worry about the 40nm setting because you have locking nuts each will hold the other in place and as you say you can't get to it anyway. Just unlock the bottom nut and adjust the ride height with the top one.

In my opinion it won't help because the spring is so soft anyway, I think it needs the 03 linkages to get the shock into the correct part of its stroke. Remember all increasing the ride height does is to increase the length of the shock, it won't affect your spring rate at all.

I removed the spring from this shock by hand and without needing a spring compressor. I've never been able to do that before and it demonstrates just what a soft spring this is.

With the sag settings you are getting I don't think you'll ever get close without either another stronger spring or the correct linkages

F9

[gazuk]

Thats for the advie guys. I will be putting the blue spring back on....

JUST TO SEE IF THE SHOCK REALLY HAS MAKE THAT MUCK DIFFERENCE

Rode the bike to work this moring and it just seemed smoother. Bit more effort requied to get her into corners, but held the line well and was smooth. So much so that I'm now noticing the front suspension more (this needs setting up next). It does seem a big improvemement, and that from a shock no where near the suggested sag settings.

But hten it could be the new toy syndrome,so thats why I might but the blue one back on for a while, as I'm getting quick quick at removeing them now.

[D-Rider]

I stuck my blue shock back on last autumn and rode with it through winter. It really wasn't that bad.

However as the weather has improved and the pace has increased, it's become bl@@dy aweful. I find myself having to back off to cope with bumps and bends as it pogos all over the place. 2-up at any speed, it's a nightmare.
Now whether it's the basic inability of the shock or whether Coventry's speed humps and (unbelievable) potholes have just knackered it, I'm not sure.

I keep meaning to get the Ohlins back in there - but I'm spending all my time sorting out my youngest son's Aprilia Sonic (nearly done now) and my eldest son is about to buy an ancient CB125 .... which, I'm sure, will also need attention.
Falco projects seem to have stalled ..... and the Mrs is wanting things done on the house too ......

[gazuk]

D-Rider,

So you currently have the blue spring sachs, but you also have an Ohlins. So where does the mille dog bone and Linkages you're been teasing me with fit? You have the full set of shocks or what

[D-Rider]

D-Rider,

So you currently have the blue spring sachs, but you also have an Ohlins. So where does the mille dog bone and Linkages you're been teasing me with fit? You have the full set of shocks or what

It's all quite straightforward (ish) .....

• * I have a Blue spring shock and Falco linkage .... came with the bike
  
  * I bought a Yellow Spring Sachs and RSV linkages but never fitted them before I managed to get ....
  
  * An RSV Ohlins and linkages
  
  * I sold the Yellow spring Sachs (with linkages) to Mellow Yellow (something like a year ago)
  
  * I fitted the Ohlins (with linkages). K-tech set up my suspension and all was wonderful ..... until .....
  
  * the nut came undone retaining the bolt that connects the bottom of the shock to the triangles. The bolt worked it's way out, the suspension collapsed and the triangles got bent. B@GG#R !
  
  * I fitted the Blue Spring Sachs and linkages to keep me going.
  
  * I managed to get hold of another set of RSV linkages off of ebay - but I've had them a few months and still not got round to fitting them.
  
  * I also realised that if I ordered a new set of triangles, I'd end up with another complete set of linkages that would be of use to someone or other on here. As the triangles are relatively cheap compared to the dogbone, this seemed worth doing - the triangles are on order.
  
  * So, state of play:
  Blue Spring Shock and Falco linkages are on the bike at present
  Ohlins shock and linkages (along with brand-new Nylock nuts) are waiting to go back on .... must do ASAP
  A further set of triangles are on order to go along with my spare RSV dogbone - which will be available once the triangles arrive.
  
  Easy really !
  

[sabestian]

I just received my yella springer from USA (yes, it was cheaper this way!!!). Also no links to go with it. I *think* I'll order the mille triangles and will stick to Falco dogbone, will see what'll be the effect.
I won't manage b4 Brands Hatch track day tho (10th of May), I don't want to screw it up just before...I hope they have no suspension specialists there, 'cos I'd be seriously p1ssed off...

Gazuk, I think rising the ride hight to compensate for a wrong sag setting isn't a good idea (you are supposed to actually make your suspension work better, aren't you?). The spring/shock would still work near it's limits, possibly bottoming out as well, only with you arse higher ;)

D-Rider, is there a major difference between Falco's and Mille's dogbones' lengths? How much would it prop the back up (in your reckoning)?

[D-Rider]

D-Rider, is there a major difference between Falco's and Mille's dogbones' lengths? How much would it prop the back up (in your reckoning)?

I've seen the dogbone lengths posted up on one of the forums but would probably take a while to find it.

Of course I do have all the necessary bits and pieces to answer all of your question, but it's a case of finding time to do it - when I change my shock over, I'll sort it out and post it up .... but I think that may not be as quick as you need it (sorry)

[gazuk]

I just received my yella springer from USA (yes, it was cheaper this way!!!). Also no links to go with it. I *think* I'll order the mille triangles and will stick to Falco dogbone, will see what'll be the effect.
I won't manage b4 Brands Hatch track day tho (10th of May), I don't want to screw it up just before...I hope they have no suspension specialists there, 'cos I'd be seriously p1ssed off...

Gazuk, I think rising the ride hight to compensate for a wrong sag setting isn't a good idea (you are supposed to actually make your suspension work better, aren't you?). The spring/shock would still work near it's limits, possibly bottoming out as well, only with you arse higher ;)

D-Rider, is there a major difference between Falco's and Mille's dogbones' lengths? How much would it prop the back up (in your reckoning)?

Swopping the shocks is about a 30 minute job with two of ya. It would be a shame to get used to the old one round brands and then change it. Don't know how long it is to get the mille triangles though.

[fastasfcuk]

i've got the milli triangles and dog bone when i get round to fitting the shock, the milli dog bone is 6 1/2 inches long. the standerd falco is no more than 4 inches.

[sabestian]

i've got the milli triangles and dog bone when i get round to fitting the shock, the milli dog bone is 6 1/2 inches long. the standerd falco is no more than 4 inches.

That seems to be a lot to me... I think I'll keep on looking for a complete set of linkages than Thanks, FAF.

[falcomunky]

Get in line...