adjusting the sag

[vorBH]

I went under the bike with the tools provided to adjust the stock shock stiffness...BUT I could not find anyway to get it in there to actually turn the bottom of the shock to change it to stiff!!
How do you do it??...need to remove a dogbone out of the way?

Also, is 7 stiff or 1 stiff?

[fred]

I went under the bike with the tools provided to adjust the stock shock stiffness...BUT I could not find anyway to get it in there to actually turn the bottom of the shock to change it to stiff!!
How do you do it??...need to remove a dogbone out of the way?

Also, is 7 stiff or 1 stiff?

There is a collar on the shock you turn with numbers on it. It kind of looks like a 2 or 3 inch tall nut with lots of vertical slots cut in it. You don't have to remove anything, but I think you can only adjust it one position at a time. 7 is the stiffest.

[vorBH]

Yea I cant access that collar from any angle to change the stiffness....which way do I come at it from?? Unless I missed some ways?
Do you have a pic of how to come at it with the tool to actually turn it?

[Bluesmudge]

Make sure that you put the bike on the centerstand. If you only have it on the sidestand you can loosen it, but not tighten it.

[fred]

Yea I cant access that collar from any angle to change the stiffness....which way do I come at it from?? Unless I missed some ways?
Do you have a pic of how to come at it with the tool to actually turn it?

Sorry, I don't. I only just got one of those tools with my project bike... My other GS never had one. I've only messed with it when I happened to have the rear wheel off, but I know you're supposed to be able to do it without taking anything off...

[bill14224]

These guys are seasoned veterans.  Don't modify your rear suspension until you get very used to riding, especially on a practically new bike.  Just doesn't make sense.  Since you weigh only 165, use position #4 on your rear shock preload collar.  Use #5 or 6 if you take a passenger, or #7 if she's REALLY FAT!  Your bike should have been set to #4 at the dealership when it was new.  I use #5 because I weigh about 205 with all my gear on.  Just enjoy your bike for now, save your money, and starting replacing stuff left and right later!  You don't have to remove anything to adjust the shock, but you have to do it on the left side of the bike, and one step at a time, like Buddha said.  I found that there is just BARELY enough room to turn it between the swingarm and center stand when the bike is on the center stand.  You need a shock wrench.  It comes in the toolkit with the bike, but if you didn't get the tool kit like me, they're cheap at www.BikeBandit.com.  It's a hemisphere shaped wrench with a tab at the end to grab the collar by its notches so you can turn it.  Can't do it without getting the rear wheel off the ground.  That's what gives you the clearance you need.  Look closely and you'll see the number it's adjusted to on the left (driver's) side of the bike.  You will get greasy, as you'll be working right next to the chain.