Can't Increase Preload

[neonsurge]

I've just acquired an '04 Rev3 200 (full story in Beta forum...) that I'm in the process of properly fettling. I'm nearly there and one of the last jobs is to increase the preload on the rear suspension 'cos it's wound right down to the bottom of the shock. I left this until last because I assumed that it'd be a 5 minute job. Of course, assumption is the mother of all screwups...

The locking ring loosens fine, but the adjuster ring simply won't move, even when attempting to tap it around using a blunt drift and hammer. I've never had this problem on any bike I've owned (on my DRZ it was possible to adjust the preload by simply loosening the lock ring and turning the spring by hand) and I'm starting to wonder if there's something I'm missing here. I'm assuming that the spring is attached to the adjuster ring? There's no locking mechanism at the top of the shock that's preventing rotation is there?

Many thanks for any help!

Edited June 23, 2005 by neonsurge

[opdeweegh1]

Try using a couple of G-clamps to compress the spring slightly to take off the compression from the adjuster nut.

Hope it helps.

[howard wallace]

Neonsurge,

Some shocks have a small hex grub screw ,in the side of the ring that locks on the main body thread.

[ikb]

Try pouring boiling water over it! The ally nut should expand and then break any corrosion

[bigfoot]

I had a similar problem on a 2001 TXT and never did manage to get it moving. The problem may have been different however as the whole thread spun on the shock body. When I tried to clamp it it just went out of shape as it wasn't strong enough to withstand the clamp. I didn't force it and just left it as it was.