 raising back shocks
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 131
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 131 |
Hi,
Question....my wife has finally agreed to take a ride with me. Between her and I, we weigh over 300 pounds . Should I adjust the shocks in the back?
Ron
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668 |
My wife and me with our everyday necessities in the saddlebags weigh around 400 pounds. I keep my shocks on the firmest setting and still scrape the pipes in the twisties. 
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,210
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,210 |
If it helps you any me and the wife weigh about 330lbs together and never bump the tire even with cut springs on the firmest setting
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 131
Adjunct
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OP
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 131 |
how do I raise it to the firmest setting? It is ok to keep it at that setting when I ride solo?
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,555
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,555 |
Me and the Mrs combined weight 325. Never changed factory setting on rear shock.Rides fine.
I use same setting 2 up or solo, I go about 200 when dressed for ride. If it aint broke dont fix it.
One more thing Ron. If shes never been on a bike before
make the first ride a nice mellow road (if you can),
She's gonna be nervous, and the last thing you want to do is
scare her the first time out.
Last edited by oneijack; 06/27/2008 12:40 PM.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668 |
Quote:
how do I raise it to the firmest setting? It is ok to keep it at that setting when I ride solo?
As you are looking at the "ramps" on the adjuster, the one that pushes up on the spring the most is the firmest setting.
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 131
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 131 |
Thanks,
I did take my wife out today. Not the greatest weather, but ok. We went about 30 to 40 mph and she was ok. It was a short ride of about 30 miles total. If we went faster, she got nervous. She is not too comfortable yet with twisties, so almost all the riding was on fairly straight roads. She did great, no wiggling, no leaning...she was great. She is looking forward to good weather to get the real feel of better sight seeing.
With her on the back, the bike was sitting somewhat lower than I was used to. My daughter and son are lighter than her and I have not felt any difference. With my wife, the bike handled differently. I definitiely want to buy a tool to keep in my bag to adjust the shocks for when she rides with me.
She said she is looking forward to this summer when both our kids are away. She wants to go day traveling through out CT and NY. I am ecstatic!!!! I've had the bike 3 years and have asked her all this time.
She changed her mind because she saw a middle aged lady as a passenger on a bike and said..if she can do it...so can I. It was her first time on a bike ever.
Ron
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668 |
Very cool. Hope she gets hooked on ridin'. 
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Ron if you haven't already put a back rest on for her, she will feel a lot safer on the back. My Mrs loves the back rest when I had the America..
Ray(UK)
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,457 |
According to the manual, mis-quoting from memory, "insert suitable tool". Just stick the largest allen wrench that will fit snugly in the hole and turn.
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 131
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2006
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When I bought my bike, I had the sisy bar put on. My wife said the sissy bar is what made her feel more secure.
She asked me a little while ago if we can go out for a night time ride tonight. I can't wait until 10 pm!!!!
Ron
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 131
Adjunct
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OP
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It looks like there is a button that needs to be pushed in. I also see a hole, but don't know what it is for.
I guess I'll be doing some experimenting
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150 |
Firmest setting I believe Ron. Also, the suggestion about a good seat is spot on, as is a backrest.
I'm yet to buy a backrest for my missus, but I've got a corbin seat for her and also I have fantastic shocks in Hagon Nitros. Big Difference going over those bad bumpy roads.
I look at the prospect of taking my missus for a ride is the same as camping. Pick the nicest spot and have the RIGHT gear for her. Then if she has a good experience, it'll be fine from then on.
Good luck
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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 Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 96
Member
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Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 96 |
Taking my wife for a ride opened a real can o' worms. Now I have to have the p-pad and backrest handy to bolt on every friday night in case she wants to 2- up on the weekend. Argh, I like my solo better. I'm saving up so she can have her own ride- problem solved lol. 
ride when I can, work when I have to
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 96
Member
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Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 96 |
oh sorry that was kinda OT- we go about 325 between the two of us and I keep the shocks in the middle notch, no worries. I don't ride too wild with her on the back though,
ride when I can, work when I have to
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,457 |
Quote:
It looks like there is a button that needs to be pushed in. I also see a hole, but don't know what it is for.
I guess I'll be doing some experimenting
Stock shocks, right? No button. See that zig-zag line against your "button"? Just stick the biggest allen wrench in the hole and rotate the shock to the next notch. Usually first two for solo riding, firmest two for two-up.
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 529
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 529 |
The first time I took my girlfried for a long ride didn't work out too well. Total we're about 350 and set the shocks to stiffest setting. Rode from San Diego to Huntington Beach. By the time we got there she was feeling it. Stayed for a few hours and headed home. Halfway she couldn't take it anymore and stopped for the night.
Since then I've put on a tall backrest and have left the shocks set for solo riding. I don't notice any bottoming out and she is much more comfortable on it. Maybe her tush is just getting use to it.
Becareful Ron, before you know it she'll be wanting a bike of her own. My lady is already talking about it.
2005 America, green/gray, gutted stock pipes, tall sissy bar w/ luggage rack, Saddleman's dual touring seat and Tourmaster saddlebags (and sissybar bag).
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Re: raising back shocks
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172 |
The hole is for that "tool of choice". It is easier if you also grab the spring with one hand and pull up on it to lessen the tension while you turn the adjustment.
More flags
More fun!
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