Olins rear shock adjustment

mean gene

mean gene

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Ok I'm getting a little more comfortable on my 2016 Cafe. I have the spring preload backed off and still with my 155 ass is stiffer then I would like. If I move the snap ring up a groove or two am I going to regret it in handling. No instruction seems to get into this change. I really don't want to replace the springs with a lighter weight. I am asking for your experiences and advice Thanks
 
Note where its at now, then just play about with it. Make big changes to each setting at a time, with a road test after each adjustment, and you'll soon learn what affect each setting has on the ride, from then you can start to make educated adjustments.
 
Check the sag in the suspension while you are sitting on the bike after your adjustments.
25-30mm is fine. Less will make the ride stiffer.
More than 30mm, you could have a clearance problem on the alternator cover during spirited left-hand cornering.
 
mean gene said:
Ok I'm getting a little more comfortable on my 2016 Cafe. I have the spring preload backed off and still with my 155 ass is stiffer then I would like. If I move the snap ring up a groove or two am I going to regret it in handling. No instruction seems to get into this change. I really don't want to replace the springs with a lighter weight. I am asking for your experiences and advice Thanks
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Is it a dual seat model ? How many pre load grooves are showing at the top of the shock . ? If its a dual seat remove all pre load for your light weight 0 rings showing . If its a single seat like mine then 2 grooves showing .. Compression damping set to minimum . and rebound damping 18 to 25 clicks out. If its a dual seat then minimum everything if you ride alone .
 
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Single seat, zero grooves showing. My thoughts are that if I move the snap ring up 2 grooves on the shock, I could adjust almost that far with the preload adjuster. Not to be a smart ass but what do you, Tony, weigh? Maybe I'm confusing the stiff ride as spring when is actually rebound.
 
Fair to say that you can disappear up your own clacker trying to adjust high end suspension! A local suspension specialist may be money (really) well spent, unless you’re suspension savvy. It’s what I was gonna do until I fitted the carbon wheels - handling transformed. May still get MPE in Caloundra to set mine up at some point - no doubt it could be even better.
 
mean gene said:
Single seat, zero grooves showing. My thoughts are that if I move the snap ring up 2 grooves on the shock, I could adjust almost that far with the preload adjuster. Not to be a smart ass but what do you, Tony, weigh? Maybe I'm confusing the stiff ride as spring when is actually rebound.
Click to expand...
150 lb naked. You probably need MORE pre load if you're at 0 grooves showing on a single seat spring ! Set your sag first ! Good thing is if you have a single seat it can be set right without new springs . Send photos of your shock or look in the service manual about the rings showing. Compression damping set to 0 of 3 (fullyccw). Rebound 18 clicks out from fully cw. I am at 25 clicks out rebound .
 
Not sure which spring came on the Cafe. On my 2014 dual seat Sport, the stock spring was the 00480-03 (18-27 N/mm), and I replaced it with the next softer 00480-02 (16-26 N/mm). I cranked up the preload enough to get decent sag numbers, and I've been quite happy with that setup. I weigh 185 lbs. without riding gear.

Picture of the shock with preload for softer spring:

Olins rear shock adjustment


Ken
 
lcrken said:
Not sure which spring came on the Cafe. On my 2014 dual seat Sport, the stock spring was the 00480-03 (18-27 N/mm), and I replaced it with the next softer 00480-02 (16-26 N/mm). I cranked up the preload enough to get decent sag numbers, and I've been quite happy with that setup. I weigh 185 lbs. without riding gear, and ride mostly in twisty canyons.

Picture of the shock with preload for softer spring:

View attachment 81296

Ken
Click to expand...
 
Thanks to all for info Todays ride was much different Without dealer and factory backing, I can't imagine what the value of a 961 would be without this forum and the eagerness of it's members to share their information. The new Norton factory should embrace this forum and it's members "You" have kept the Norton name alive
 
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