paging all GSX-R shockers!

[l3uddha]

as many of you probably remember I put on a 93 GSX-R rear shock.
I've been riding it for a few months now & every thing is great; I just want to crank up the preload... quite a bit. I ride two- up pretty frequently now.... so how the F&$@ do you turn those preload rings?

here is a picture curtosy of http://www.bikepower.net/gs500e-power/gs500e-power.htm:


notice the two rings circled in red.

what would be the proper technique to do this? loosen the top ring and crank down the lower ring (that which the spring rests against)? Turn them both at the same time?.....


More importantly:
what does one use to turn the rings? the GS spanner in the kit is slightly too large for the notches in the rings. Is there another "universal" tool that I might have to buy? is there a common way to get it done? please help! 

[ignoreance]

Flat head screw drivers.......  you have to back the top one off of the bottem one and then turn the bottem one up or down up raises the preload also will raise your bike check chain clearance.... lowring removes and then tighting top two back down to the bottem one... got it  So tools  are  Large flat head...  maybe a rubber hammer and  a beer...  but don't do the beer if your plaining on riding afterwards change to a gatorade.

[Church6360]

hammer and screwdriver worked for me, when i switched to that shock i found that my center stand was no longer useful on the stand my back wheel still touched the ground.

hows it working out for you so far?

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Shocker?

[pantablo]

NGFL beat me to it...

[dgyver]

I only use the damaging hammer and screwdriver technique to break the rings free the first time. I prefer to use an adjustable spanner for adjustments. They are not cheap but it has been a great tool.

http://www.kowatools.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AKS2000&Product_Code=031003L

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

NGFL beat me to it...

That's cuz I'm coooooooooler than you.. duh...

[l3uddha]

thanks for the help everyone.

I'm gonna do the screwdriver methor for now b/c I am in a rush, but I might even try to file down the tip of the GS spanner slightly & see how that works. It is just barely too big.

It's raining, so I'm gonna go get that beer now.... 

[pantablo]

NGFL beat me to it...

That's cuz I'm coooooooooler than you.. duh...

I think you're getting WARMer.....

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

NGFL beat me to it...

That's cuz I'm coooooooooler than you.. duh...

I think you're getting WARMer.....

Oh, you sonuvabitch!!!