Rear Shock Setting

[beRto]

Hi Everyone,

I know this question has been asked before, but I couldn't find any posts with pictures. I think my rear shock is set at "2", but I was hoping someone with experience could confirm this.

Left Side


Right Side


My shop manuals mention some sort of alignment marking, but I can't see it. I think it's set at "2" because this is the number facing out on both sides of the bike.

Thanks.

[Teek]

Look inside the oval above the 2. See the little raised oval piece in the center on the shock body? It's hard when you're adjusting it because because it's all black in there, but that's the stop that the adjustment ring sits on. Far as I know.  That would make it 2, plus the adjuster ring is really low on the shock. It should feel pretty soft if you bounce the bike too. If you want to adjust it, use the tool in the bike's kit, NOT a hammer and big ass screwdriver. Ask me how I know.   

[Teek]

See the greasy black shock? See the Number 1? And the little oval stop? That's my old shock set on 1. (See all those dings in the oval holes on the ring? That's why you use the adjusting tool.) I believe the Katana is set on four here, but we adjusted it down on the bike. They are both also lined up over the mounting bracket...  Anybody feel free to correct me if I have it ass backwards.

[ajaxgs]

+1 on what teek said ..........

hey teek how do you like the kat shock???

[ohgood]

You don't even have to look at it. Just keep turning it towards the front of the bike (from the left side of the bike) and you'll go past 7, it will POING ! , then consider yourself at position 1. Count, 2, 3, 4, etc

I like 2 for just me, 7 for me + the pregnant wifey


I found out what I liked best by taking a screwdriver that fit it well with me for a short ride. Ride the loop on 1, then 2, etc and 2 was the best for Tampa's crap roads.

[beRto]

Thanks for the input everyone!

I suspect that something a little stiffer than the #2 setting is required for my 230 lbs!! 

... yeah, yeah, set to Katana and all that... I'll try #7 for now.

[Teek]

The Katana is a nice shock, I know I definitely have support back there now! I'd guess that to my butt anyway, the Katana's softest setting is about like the GS's hardest. I do appreciate the damping adjuster though, I can certainly feel the difference on that. I think I can go down one more, I still have a little bit of it popping me off the seat on some really hard ruts and stuff. It's a bit prettier too.