Adjusting suspension...HELP !

[Ben_132]

Hey, ive read a few forums that say if your doing FMX, then youu need to stiffen your suspension... How do i do this ? do i have to take it in to the shop or can i do it on my own?
front and rear ? or just the front ?
thanks in advance

-Ben :hello::hello::hello::hello:

[CoOkY mOnStA]

the thing about suspension is theres no set guide line when it comes to setting it up each rider likes theirs set up differently to others

if your current set up is working perfectly fine for you then i would not change a thing but if you find your blowing through the stroke way to easy and bottoming out all the time then chances are you need to stiffen things up a bit

what bike are you riding/planning on using for fmx? and whats your weight and will you be using the bike for anything else oh and if the suspension hasnt been rebuilt for along time get it done i did mine on my kx250 it hadnt been done for a long time but made the bike feel like it was just off the show room floor it was very firm but soaked up all the bumps with no harsh hits any where

depending on your mechanical ability you can do it your self which is much better way to do it (alot cheaper to) or you can send it away and get it done BUT by sending it away your not always gonna get it how you want it

[azzfox]

Interesting you say that you did it yourself. Im just curious how you went about releasing and refilling the nitrogen in the rear shock? Were the valves/shims in the rear shock and dampening chambers in the forks hard to do?

Ive had the forks stripped down and the chambers apart when I was doing fork seals/changing fluids. Getting that far is pretty easy. Never taken the shock apart because of the nitrogen issue. But then Ive never had a reason to anyway lol. Arent special special tools and what not needed to take the shock apart too?

[Ben_132]

im around 6 foot, im usure about my weight, but i do want it stiff. I have an 07 RM125..
I think ill take it in becasue i dont have much knowlege in mechanics..

[CoOkY mOnStA]

Interesting you say that you did it yourself. Im just curious how you went about releasing and refilling the nitrogen in the rear shock? Were the valves/shims in the rear shock and dampening chambers in the forks hard to do?

Ive had the forks stripped down and the chambers apart when I was doing fork seals/changing fluids. Getting that far is pretty easy. Never taken the shock apart because of the nitrogen issue. But then Ive never had a reason to anyway lol. Arent special special tools and what not needed to take the shock apart too?


well to released the pressure same way as u do for u tyre by depressing the schrader valve and ive only got mine filled wit compressed air at the moment but when i get the chance im taking it to the bike shop to get it refilled as for special tools for the rear shock (apart from the nitrogen and nitrogen regulator) there isnt any special tools the hardest part wit the rear shock is bleeding ALL the air out if its a kyb shock like wats on my kx its not that bad because its got the bleed hole but for showa's its not so simple and wp shocks im not sure wat they are like and i didnt change any shims at the time because the oil was so old (and the seal head on the rear shock had blown) i was just changing the oil then see how it felt then was gonna pull it all apart again to fix any issues that i had which i didnt so its all left stock when ur tuning suspension never make changes based on old oil because the older the oil gets the worse the suspension feels so before u decide to make any changes to the valving change the oil

[CoOkY mOnStA]

im around 6 foot, im usure about my weight, but i do want it stiff. I have an 07 RM125..
I think ill take it in becasue i dont have much knowlege in mechanics..

well i know most 125's are set up for 50-70kg range so u might just want to go up a couple spring rates and a tad stiffer dampening but the experts at most suspension places will prolly have a set up that would be close enough teknik ive heard are pretty good just give them as much info as u can and then u can get it close to spot on

http://www.teknikmotorsport.com/

[azzfox]

well to released the pressure same way as u do for u tyre by depressing the schrader valve and ive only got mine filled wit compressed air at the moment but when i get the chance im taking it to the bike shop to get it refilled as for special tools for the rear shock (apart from the nitrogen and nitrogen regulator) there isnt any special tools the hardest part wit the rear shock is bleeding ALL the air out if its a kyb shock like wats on my kx its not that bad because its got the bleed hole but for showa's its not so simple and wp shocks im not sure wat they are like and i didnt change any shims at the time because the oil was so old (and the seal head on the rear shock had blown) i was just changing the oil then see how it felt then was gonna pull it all apart again to fix any issues that i had which i didnt so its all left stock when ur tuning suspension never make changes based on old oil because the older the oil gets the worse the suspension feels so before u decide to make any changes to the valving change the oil

Yeah fair enough. I always thought nitrogen was one of those gasses you werent allowed to release into the atmosphere but doesnt look like it. Ill keep that in mind :)

[derka_s13]

earths atmosphere is 80% nitrogen...

[[TOPGEAR]]

if you go to the ohlins website there is a calculator for choosing the right spring.

you choose your bike, your weight, riding style (in this case fmx)

it will give the a part number for the correct springs.

i would start with that and then setup the correct sag for your weight see how you go it will make a massive difference.

[crim 87]

;1835797167']if you go to the ohlins website there is a calculator for choosing the right spring.

you choose your bike, your weight, riding style (in this case fmx)

it will give the a part number for the correct springs.

i would start with that and then setup the correct sag for your weight see how you go it will make a massive difference.



hey mate where abouts on the website is it i couldn't find it ???

[[TOPGEAR]]

sorry got confused with racetech...... heres the link http://racetech.com/ChooseVehicle.aspx

you need to choose your bike then it will load up another page. at the top of that page it says "Calculate Spring Rates and Display Available Springs" .... CLick on that and it will bring up another window.

http://racetech.com/ProductSearch/1/Yamaha/YZ450F/2009#springRateCalc

[[TOPGEAR]]

sorry got confused with racetech...... heres the link http://racetech.com/ChooseVehicle.aspx

you need to choose your bike then it will load up another page. at the top of that page it says "Calculate Spring Rates and Display Available Springs" .... CLick on that and it will bring up another window.

http://racetech.com/ProductSearch/1/Yamaha/YZ450F/2009#springRateCalc