Shock adjustment

Zeoran

Zeoran

Joined
Jul 5, 2019
Messages
92
Age
53
Location
Redondo Beach, CA
Bike
2002 Honda ST1100
I have a question regarding the rear shock adjustment on my 2002 ST1100. According to the manual, I use the spanner and handle to adjust it to position 1-5, with 1 being super soft, 2 being normal and 5 being stiff/heavy loads. Thing is, when I looked at my shock, I found the spot and was able to use the spanner, but it only seemed to have 3 settings, not 5 and it certainly didn't look like the manual. It may not be a stock shock absorber, I'm not sure. I'll try and post a picture when I can. But is the shock absorber supposed to have 5 settings that are easy to adjust between?
 
Edit: please put “ST1100” in your thread subject line if not poSTing in a model specific sub-forum.

OEM Showa shock. Note the five preload ramp stops.

241587
 
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Mine looks almost identical, but my ramp stops look different. I'll have to take a picture when I get a chance and show you.
 
Here's my shock... The "notch indicator" is off to the far right. It's sitting in a 2nd groove of another set of grooves. In order to move it into the grooves that are dead center in the picture, I'd have to move it way to the right and the adjustment would have to cross a 1" barrier.

241599
 
That looks like 5 positions to me.
Put your c spanner on and wind it up and down, count the positions. 3 or 5?
Upt'North.
 
There are two sets of ramps and two "indicators", as you call them, on the shock body. Yours appears to be the same as John's, and it has 5 settings.

Yours appears to be at the lowest setting. If you rotate the side of the notched ring that is facing us toward the wheel, it will walk up the ramps.

Added: It's the ring with the ramps that rotates; the nubs are stationary. Look at John's picture again.
 
Thing is, I know my picture doesn't show it well, but mine is currently in the 2nd position looking at John's picture. And I don't know about John's, but if you go 1 more to the right, that's the end. However, as you can see, there seems to be a whole other adjustment area to the left of where it is now, you just need to get over that big section. It's like if you moved John's shock position 3 to the left and wanted to keep going. I'll try and get a better picture and/or video to show the limitations. I appreciate the advice. I'll get a better picture.

Also, I know this is a tangent, but the manual didn't clarify a good/easy way to "check" the final drive fluid level. It shows how to change it, but not check it, to see if more needs to be added/etc.
 
Not really a way to check. Fill until it reaches the overflow level and that's it. Doesn't take much. If in doubt drain it and proceed with the above.
 
Zeoran said:
Thing is, I know my picture doesn't show it well, but mine is currently in the 2nd position looking at John's picture. And I don't know about John's, but if you go 1 more to the right, that's the end. However, as you can see, there seems to be a whole other adjustment area to the left of where it is now, you just need to get over that big section. It's like if you moved John's shock position 3 to the left and wanted to keep going.
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It sounds like you're wanting to turn it the wrong way.

Again, there are two sets of ramps and two of the nubs they ride on.
 
Looking from the back of the bike, turn the adjuster to the left (clockwise looking down) and the ramps will climb up the fixed nubs and apply more preload to the spring. The photo above shows the spring in the lowest preload position (lowest ride-height). A little CRC/WD40 applied to the ramps/spring seat prior to the move will make this a bit easier but watch out for skinned knuckles. Also best done on the centrestand so you don't have to fight the weight of the bike on the spring.
241600241601
 
The ring with notches only rotates from right to left (low to high/ramping up). When you get to 5 and keep going it’ll drop back down to position 1.

IOW, if you’re at 3 and want to soften back to 1 you’ll have to ramp up through 4 and 5 to get to 1.

John
 
I appreciate all the advice. I'll have to take a closer look at the shock and ring to see if I can spot the extra 2 notches I didn't see previously.
Is there any indication of a low finaldrive oil that would let me know for sure that it needs more?

I know this is another tangent, but I can't seem to get the bike on the center stand. I position myself on the left side of the bike, I pull out the handle and hold it with my right hand while pushing down on the center stand lever with my right foot and try to pull back and up at the same time. I don't know if something's broken, but it's not going up onto the stand. I've tried it with the bike both in gear and in neutral. I used to be able to get my 82 Goldwing on its center stand without a problem so I don't know why this is proving so difficult for me. I'm not the Rock, but I'm not a weakling either. Any hints/tips for getting it on the center stand?
 
Forgot to say, put a glove on before trying the c spanner, it will slip or move quicker than you can react and it does hurt. Ask me how I know......
Re. the centre stand it can be very difficult if the bike is sitting lower than normal for some reason. Are the tyres up to pressure, or is the centre stand seized?
Upt'North.
 
Zeoran said:
I know this is another tangent, but I can't seem to get the bike on the center stand.

Any hints/tips for getting it on the center stand?
Click to expand...
Yes. Rather than lifting the bike, use your body strength and concentrate on separating the handle and the pedal. Pull up on the handle and push down on the pedal, like a human jaws-of-life, increasing the distance between them. The bike will roll back and onto the center stand on its own.
 
Thank you so much for all your advice. It is GREATLY appreciated. I'll try to see if I can get the bike on the center stand after I get to work tomorrow. I should be able to get another good picture of the shock at that time as well.

Update: I found a good cover that seems to be just great. It's nice, thick, waterproof, sunproof and easily fits the entire bike from top-bottom including the trunk and saddlebags.

You guys have been really great and I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found this site. I wish I had found it just a bit sooner, I wouldn't have made the initial mistake on the windshield. But I should be able to return the current one and get the Rifle 24" I'm currently set on. I should also finally have my Cardo headset installed by tomorrow, I finally found a jacket that fits me at a Harley Davidson store (I knew they'd have something that fits properly and it's only 3X) So things are coming along nicely. Still looking forward to getting a 1" riser installed so I'm not leaning forward quite so much during the long ride. I also managed to get the foam covers on the existing grips (which were terrible) so that helped quite a bit in decreasing the stress on my hands.

Just for another tangent question: Do I need to worry about anything in particular if I want to take my bike down to one of those DIY car washes and use the power wash/brush thingies to give my baby a good cleaning? Is there anywhere I should be careful not to get water into?
 
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