rear suspension

[tomfromhull]

I have a '99 RSTD with a 2 year old new factory rear shock. No matter how hard I try, I can't get it adjusted so it won't bottom out when I'm riding 2 up. This is the shock that sits horizontally so if the bike settles down or I'm riding and I go over a bump the piston comes out as opposed to a vertically mounted shock where the piston would go in. There are no markings on it to tell me which way to turn to adjust the preload or how much to turn it. Any suggestions? Thanks

[Freebird]

I hope that somebody else jumps in here to verify but I THINK you would still screw it down tighter even though I do understand about it working opposite of most shocks. The newer RSTD and RSV's don't have that adjustment at all as they use air. I think that Pegscraper could better answer your question as he has a lot of experience with the Royal Stars. If he doesn't see this, you might want to send him a PM.

[tomfromhull]

When you say screw it down tighter do you mean down towards the lock ring?

[tomfromhull]

Oh, by the way Freebird, I checked out your profile just for the heck of it. I was bored. Is the first picture from the early eighties? Your hair style looks different. he..he..he ...

[Freebird]

OK...now that you have made fun of my hair...I'm not answering any more of your questions.

 

OK...just this one time. I'm honestly not that familiar with that shock. Does it have an outer spring? I guess what I'm saying is to screw it down so that it would compress the spring more. If it doesn't have a spring, pretend that it down and turn it that way anyhow. I'm guessing that it would be clockwise.

 

I sent Pegscraper a PM and asked him to look at this thread. He is very familiar with the Royal Stars.

[pegscraper]

He's mostly right, but it's the spring that works backwards. When the bike is loaded, the spring doesn't compress, it stretches. Without my bike setting in front of me, turn the preloading lock rings so that the spring stretches out more. Most or all of the owner's manuals from this era will tell you to adjust it backwards from what needs to happen, so if you're doing what the manual says to do, that could be causing confusion.

[tomfromhull]

Thanks a lot guys. I turned the pre-load the right way and then put 7 lbs. in the forks. What a difference! Like night and day. Now the wife is happy. And if she's happy..... So Freebird maybe some time I'll post my '82 high school graduation pic. The one where my hair is parted in the middle feathered back and I have a earring. Man I'm glad I can't go back to those days.