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Adjusting sag and preload?

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Old 03-01-2011, 05:47 PM
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Default Adjusting sag and preload?

Hey guys,

Just a question you guys could help me with.

I'm trying to find a way of lowering my 06 F4i and I've come up with the idea that the bike doesn't sag almost at all when I sit on it due to my weight.

The bike is already quite big for me as it is and I'm thinking about shaving the foam off the seat and around the edges as it pushes my legs out too far.

But I was thinking that if the preload on the forks and rear suspension isn't right, it isn't going to help in lowering it unless I get the sag right...

So how do I go about changing it?

I've read about the process on how to do it by measuring etc, but what do I have to do to the bike i.e what do I have turn, wind, twist etc. to adjust these preload settings.

I weigh about 120 Lbs and the bike's suspension hardly moves when I sit on it, so what do I have to do?

Thanks guys.
 
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Old 03-01-2011, 05:58 PM
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turn the screw on the rear resivoir out or so that it says softer, i dont think the PO would have adjusted the spring attached to the swingarm. but if he did there is also a screw on the brake side with adjustment attached to the spring
 
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Old 03-01-2011, 07:05 PM
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Just disregard the last post, he is talking about compression and rebound. The preload setting on the forks is on the top of the forks, you'll need a 14mm wrench. You are actually a good weight for the stock front suspension as the fork springs are way soft. The rear preload requires a spanner wrench that comes in the bike's tool kit. At the base of the rear spring there are some notches that the spanner wrench fits in and you crank whichever way you need to.

However, I would recommend not lowering your bike. How tall are you?
 

Last edited by DBEAU; 03-01-2011 at 07:10 PM.
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Old 03-01-2011, 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by DBEAU
Just disregard the last post, he is talking about compression and rebound. The preload setting on the forks is on the top of the forks, you'll need a 14mm wrench. You are actually a good weight for the stock front suspension as the fork springs are way soft. The rear preload requires a spanner wrench that comes in the bike's tool kit. At the base of the rear spring there are some notches that the spanner wrench fits in and you crank whichever way you need to.

However, I would recommend not lowering your bike. How tall are you?
yeah man sorry about that, i misread what he asked
 
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Old 03-01-2011, 09:19 PM
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http://sportbikewrench.com/howtovideos.aspx

watch the how to set sag video...of course its on a gixxer and not an f4i but its the same concept and should hopefully give you a better idea on how to go about doing that
 
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Old 03-02-2011, 02:19 AM
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Hey guys,

I did watch a video of a guy do it on an R6, but he had some weird things on the top of his forks on his yoke and mine are just regular bolt heads.

And I'm a slim quite skinny 5'3 and the bike is a little too tall to be comfortable on. So I am trying to get every extra Millimeter of my feet on the floor. My very tip toes only reach the floor when I put both feet down and on some uneven ground they dont even do that.
 
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Old 03-02-2011, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by woodypk
Hey guys,

I did watch a video of a guy do it on an R6, but he had some weird things on the top of his forks on his yoke and mine are just regular bolt heads.

And I'm a slim quite skinny 5'3 and the bike is a little too tall to be comfortable on. So I am trying to get every extra Millimeter of my feet on the floor. My very tip toes only reach the floor when I put both feet down and on some uneven ground they dont even do that.
So are you still having trouble?

I rarely have 2 feet on the ground. Usually when I'm stopped I have one foot on the brake and the other on the ground. I understand you probably feel a little insecure though. Softening up the suspension and increasing the sag will do little to lower the bike with your size. The only way to net a few inches of drop is to replace the rear link with a larger one and raising the forks up through the triple. However, I would not recommend this if you intend to do any aggressive riding. When I bought my bike it was lowered and felt awful.
 
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Old 03-03-2011, 06:32 AM
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Originally Posted by woodypk
Hey guys,

I did watch a video of a guy do it on an R6, but he had some weird things on the top of his forks on his yoke and mine are just regular bolt heads.

And I'm a slim quite skinny 5'3 and the bike is a little too tall to be comfortable on. So I am trying to get every extra Millimeter of my feet on the floor. My very tip toes only reach the floor when I put both feet down and on some uneven ground they dont even do that.
You might want to look into getting a lowering link fo the back?
 
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Old 03-03-2011, 04:16 PM
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Jeff, I think I've seen a lowering link for my bike but im not quite sure how it works or how it fits in/on. Shed any knowlege?
 
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Old 03-03-2011, 04:30 PM
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Oh and guys, would this make a difference or would I then need to shorten the front forks? http://motorcycle-parts-accessories....medium=organic

And also would I need to shorten the front forks with these too??
http://www.motorcycle-road-and-race....ucts_id=403000
 


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