Dirt Rider . Net Text Version Home
Pages: 1
suspention question
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: dadshillnut---------------------
I am new to riding and have many questions, so here is the first
I've read many of the threads and they tell how to set preload, rebound, compression , but I cannot find any info on what they are and why you mess with them. also I ride an 86 cr 250 can all of these different things be changed on this old a bike.. Please dont flame me cause I'm dumb:confused:
Posted by: dadshillnut---------------------
is anybody there
Posted by: JTT---------------------
Ok, it's been a very long time since I worked on an 1986 (no offence), so I will not comment on compression and rebound adjusters on this particular model, but...
Preload is referring to the adjuster rings on the top of the shock spring. By adjusting these tighter (turning them clockwise to compress spring), you are "preloading" the spring. This will effect the ride height of the bike. More preload (=less sag), the higher the rear of the bike will sit. This has numerous effects, not the least of which is to cause the bike to steer quicker (effectively at least)(please understand that I am trying to keep this simple).
Rebound and compression is referring to the dampening characteristic of the shock. Dampening is necessary to control the energy of the spring. Without it, we would bounce like a rubber ball. Compression refers to the damping in compression (when hitting a bump), rebound refers to the extension of the shock after a bump. Too little compression can cause the wheel to bounce off the top of a bump (very basic), too much makes the shock feel too stiff. Too little rebound can cause the bike to bounce after hitting a bump (and potentially throw you over the bars), while too much can cause the shock to "pack", or not extend all the way in order to absorb the next bump.
I hope this helps some.
ps, guys, go easy on the critique... 
Text Version Home
vBulletin Copyright ©2000 - 2009,
Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.
vB Easy Archive Final ©2000 - 2009
- Created by Stefan "Xenon" Kaeser
