any klr650 owners in albuquerque?

[lskbike]

I need to set the preload on the rear shock on my 02 KLR650. I just installed 2" lowering links and a 2" shortened sidestand. I need to reduce the "sag" and make the rear shock firmer (I'm not exactly a lightweight!). Once I sit on the lowered bike and get off, I have to literaly pull up on the bike to raise it high enough on its' suspension so the bike will lean over properly on the sidestand. If I don't pull it up against the sidestand when I get off, the bike stays almost vertical and wants to tip away from the kickstand. It did this with the stock links and side stand but it didn't seem to be that big of a problem as it is now that it is lowered. I almost tipped the bike over to the right non-sidestand side the first time I got off of it after it was lowered. The Clymer manual isn't very clear on how to adjust the preload. It just shows a picture of the top of the shock and says, "Turn the adjuster to the desired numerical setting". So I grabbed it and tried to turn the top cap of the shock. It didn't budge. How do I reset it? Do I Loosen the nut then try to turn the shock cap or do I leave the nut alone and just put more muscle into it? Any advise? Thanks in advance for your help! Larry K. Southeastern Indiana

[Darren Clark]

turn the nut clockwise, there is a cam in it and it will load up the spring. There are 5 levels, and you can feel them while turning the nut. Darren Clark 2004 KLR 650 A-18 lskbike wrote:

>I need to set the preload on the rear shock on my 02 KLR650. I just >installed 2" lowering links and a 2" shortened sidestand. I need to >reduce the "sag" and make the rear shock firmer (I'm not exactly a >lightweight!). Once I sit on the lowered bike and get off, I have >to literaly pull up on the bike to raise it high enough on its' >suspension so the bike will lean over properly on the sidestand. If >I don't pull it up against the sidestand when I get off, the bike >stays almost vertical and wants to tip away from the kickstand. It >did this with the stock links and side stand but it didn't seem to >be that big of a problem as it is now that it is lowered. I almost >tipped the bike over to the right non-sidestand side the first time >I got off of it after it was lowered. > >The Clymer manual isn't very clear on how to adjust the preload. It >just shows a picture of the top of the shock and says, "Turn the >adjuster to the desired numerical setting". So I grabbed it and >tried to turn the top cap of the shock. It didn't budge. How do I >reset it? Do I Loosen the nut then try to turn the shock cap or do >I leave the nut alone and just put more muscle into it? Any advise? > >Thanks in advance for your help! > >Larry K. >Southeastern Indiana > > > > > > >Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > >

[Tengai Mark Van Horn]

At 3:58 AM +0000 4/4/05, rfcullison wrote:

>I'm out in the East Mountains, South of Tijeras. Just moved here from >Maryland in December. Will miss Mark's Pennsylvania ride this year but >am looking forward to getting up to Moab in June.

Richard, we're gonna miss you. I hope you're enjoying retirement. Are you still doing the boats on the side? Mark http://www.reelrider.com/noab05

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "lskbike" wrote:

> > I need to set the preload on the rear shock on my 02 KLR650. I just > installed 2" lowering links and a 2" shortened sidestand. I need to > reduce the "sag" and make the rear shock firmer (I'm not exactly a > lightweight!). Once I sit on the lowered bike and get off, I have > to literaly pull up on the bike to raise it high enough on its' > suspension so the bike will lean over properly on the sidestand. If > I don't pull it up against the sidestand when I get off, the bike > stays almost vertical and wants to tip away from the kickstand. It > did this with the stock links and side stand but it didn't seem to > be that big of a problem as it is now that it is lowered. I almost > tipped the bike over to the right non-sidestand side the first time > I got off of it after it was lowered. > > The Clymer manual isn't very clear on how to adjust the preload. It > just shows a picture of the top of the shock and says, "Turn the > adjuster to the desired numerical setting". So I grabbed it and > tried to turn the top cap of the shock. It didn't budge. How do I > reset it? Do I Loosen the nut then try to turn the shock cap or do > I leave the nut alone and just put more muscle into it? Any advise? > > Thanks in advance for your help! >

Use a 12mm socket to turn the bolt at the top left of the shock. Turn it clockwise to increase the preload. There is a strong detent for each setting, which may require some muscle to overcome, esp. if the works hasn't been moved in some time. For me a 12mm T-hande works best, but a ratchet or breaker bar with an extension will also serve. Some WD40 around the adjusting collar may wash away some of the collected crud and ease the movement of the collar. There are some numbered lines on the shock body below the adjusting collar which may help you tell what setting you are on, but they are difficult to read. If you turn clockwise past the stiffest position (5), the shock will reset loudly to 1. From there, just count the detents.

[Jon Till]

At 08:33 PM 4/3/2005, you wrote:

>If you turn clockwise past the stiffest position (5), the shock will reset loudly to 1.

You got that right! I thought I broke my new bike the first time that happened. Also isn't there something about turning the rebound setting only one way? That's the adjustment on the bottom of the shock. I thought I read someplace about being careful which way you turn it when setting the rebound. Jon...