I can't get my rear shock to adjust It seems stuck

passive101 · July 24th, 2013, 11:38 AM

After my brother passed away we had a shop look over his bike to fix everything that was wrong with it. I'm heavier then he was so I asked them to adjust the shock a little higher. I'm 190 lbs and would rarely have a passenger on the bike, but they put it all the way to the highest setting.

The bike doesn't feel right when I sit on it. It only moves down about 1-2" and the ride is really hard. I have the tool and I've read the info on how to adjust it, but it seems stuck. I can't get it to move.

Is there anything I can do that would make this easier? I could try to have someone hold the bike still for me and crank on it really hard, but I'm afraid if I slip off I could damage the chain or something?

Snake · July 24th, 2013, 11:41 AM

Try spraying some penetrating oil on the adjusting threads. That should free it up.

My condolences on your lose.

csmith12 · July 24th, 2013, 11:41 AM

Get the bike stabilized and Pull HARD! Don't be a sissy.

Your not gunna hurt anything but your hands if it slips. Mech gloves go a long way to improve grip but she will turn if you pull hard enough.

Take your time getting the spanner in the notches and a good bite with it.

passive101 · July 24th, 2013, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake

Try spraying some penetrating oil on the adjusting threads. That should free it up.

My condolences on your lose.

I have PB Blaster and WD40. Which one would work better on this without damaging anything?

Alex · July 24th, 2013, 11:43 AM

It sounds like you may have found this thread already, but just in case:

DIY - Adjusting the rear shock preload

/thread moved to new-gen tech

Snake · July 24th, 2013, 11:44 AM

I'm not familiar with PB Blaster but WD-40 is a great product.

csmith12 · July 24th, 2013, 11:47 AM

Snake · July 24th, 2013, 11:49 AM

Awesome flow chart Chris!

passive101 · July 24th, 2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

According to this it's time to go spray something on it

alex.s · July 24th, 2013, 12:26 PM

i use a flat head and a hammer. using spanners is too hard for my sissy little arms.

passive101 · July 24th, 2013, 12:27 PM

I tried hitting it with a flat head and a hammer and it didn't move. Does it only turn in one direction? It's on the highest setting now.

csmith12 · July 24th, 2013, 12:31 PM

Yes, only one direction. Don't try to turn it down, try to turn it up. It will click over 5 back to 1 and go up from there where you want it.

alex.s · July 24th, 2013, 12:40 PM

by the way- 1-2 inches of travel is good. you don't want to bottom out. 190lbs i would expect the stock shock to be undersprung in fact.

Aggrotech · July 24th, 2013, 12:41 PM

just be calm and dont rush it lol. I've found that it'll only turn if i have the force in the riiiight spot while trying to adjust it. I just cant have my hand anywhere and pull in the general direction. Needs to be juuust right.

adouglas · July 24th, 2013, 12:54 PM

Unloading the shock helps A LOT. With the bike resting on its tires you're fighting gravity as well as friction.

You can put a jack under the lower linkage and lift the bike that way (make sure you've stabilized it... just get someone to hold the handlebars), or you can do the ladder trick:

put a ladder over the pillion,
lift the bike using your paddock stand,
put a strap or rope under the tail (through the passenger peg brackets) and over the ladder,
tighten,
remove stand

Hey presto, rear tire is floating in midair, bike is dangling from the ladder, and the shock is completely unloaded.

I did the former when I adjusted mine simply because I hadn't figured out the ladder trick yet. It was done in desperation because I couldn't get that frakkin' collar to move and skinned every knuckle I've got trying.

passive101 · July 24th, 2013, 01:22 PM

Is there a video showing how to do this? I'm not very mechanically inclined sometimes.

Aggrotech · July 24th, 2013, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by passive101

Is there a video showing how to do this? I'm not very mechanically inclined sometimes.

Link to original page on YouTube.

video is kinda fail...but i guess it'll help.

Take off chain guard and the passenger foot peg to give you the extra wiggle room. You'll see a bunch of little notches at the based of the spring, just use ur spanner thing and adjust going down, should help going down since you're adjusting from 5th to 4th.

*edit* you dont need to remove ur rearset bolts, hes a derp.

passive101 · July 24th, 2013, 01:36 PM

Someone else said it only turns one way so I have to turn from 5 to 1? or can I go from 5 to 4?

Aggrotech · July 24th, 2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by passive101

Someone else said it only turns one way so I have to turn from 5 to 1? or can I go from 5 to 4?

the spring has multiple levels. 5 being the "highest" to adjust for your weight. In order to drop down in levels so its more comfortable for you, you can simply turn the spring the other way to drop down ( to 4,3,2,1,). Go look at your spring and you should see what i'm talking about. Here..heres some close pics i just took of mine being on level4.

passive101 · July 24th, 2013, 02:26 PM

Ugh I still can't get it to move. I managed to hurt both of my hands though. Any negative effects to having it set on the max setting when I'm 180-190lbs? I'm guessing #5 is for the max 330 lbs?

Bigballsofpaint · July 26th, 2013, 10:31 AM

Just makes for a bumpy ride. I normally ride with mine on 2 or 3, im 175lbs. So you should be at 3 or 4 for sure. that 330 lbs is bike rating, not shock/spring rating. Ive had more than 330 on it before anyway

Asspire · July 26th, 2013, 10:43 AM

do you even lift bro?

go hulk on it, mine was the same way. hands hurt like hell, good excuse to have a cold one after.

Driddle · July 26th, 2013, 12:01 PM

Does that last picture seem wrong to you guys?
I'm pretty sure you turn away from the sprocket, like going 4 to 5 to 1. Not 4 to 3 to 2.
At least that's how I did it.

When I did mine a few weeks ago, I had it on the rear stand, and it took a LOT of pushing before I could even free it from being stuck on the 1 position. I did hit my knuckle on something and bruised it and cut it open. But thats what I get for not using gloves.

Just put some force behind it.

And FYI, I am 190 pounds, and I ride on level 3, and I don't mind it at all.

csmith12 · July 26th, 2013, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driddle

Does that last picture seem wrong to you guys?
I'm pretty sure you turn away from the sprocket, like going 4 to 5 to 1. Not 4 to 3 to 2.
At least that's how I did it.

Yea, it's so much easier to that way. I stated to go to 5 to 1 earlier this thread.

Takes too much force to go the other way.

If it's really, really frozen solid, a hammer and long chisel will surely free it up.

passive101 · July 26th, 2013, 05:29 PM

I sprayed a crap load of WD40 on it, but it still won't budge. That's alright. If I need the shop to change it, I'll pay for it. I don't want to wreck the little tool for it because it just keeps popping off and hurting my hands more

I wonder how much they'll charge me for that crap. Maybe I should order a set of frame sliders and have them install it and maybe they'll change it for free then or something haha

Aggrotech · July 26th, 2013, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driddle

Does that last picture seem wrong to you guys?
I'm pretty sure you turn away from the sprocket, like going 4 to 5 to 1. Not 4 to 3 to 2.
At least that's how I did it.

huh? my pic as an example, if you turn it away from the sprocket you'd be turning it up..going to 5.. o.O. He wants to drop it down..so you'd turn it towards the sprocket so it'll get over the 4th hump and start sliding down to 3.

Unless ive completely missread your post

Driddle · July 27th, 2013, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aggrotech

huh? my pic as an example, if you turn it away from the sprocket you'd be turning it up..going to 5.. o.O. He wants to drop it down..so you'd turn it towards the sprocket so it'll get over the 4th hump and start sliding down to 3.

Unless ive completely missread your post

Yeah you're right you could do that.
I was thinking in terms of adjusting it up, and I thought you meant to go that way.
We were just on two different pages. No worries.

July 24th, 2013, 11:38 AM	#1
passive101 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Wisconsin Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 55	I can't get my rear shock to adjust It seems stuck After my brother passed away we had a shop look over his bike to fix everything that was wrong with it. I'm heavier then he was so I asked them to adjust the shock a little higher. I'm 190 lbs and would rarely have a passenger on the bike, but they put it all the way to the highest setting. The bike doesn't feel right when I sit on it. It only moves down about 1-2" and the ride is really hard. I have the tool and I've read the info on how to adjust it, but it seems stuck. I can't get it to move. Is there anything I can do that would make this easier? I could try to have someone hold the bike still for me and crank on it really hard, but I'm afraid if I slip off I could damage the chain or something?

July 24th, 2013, 11:41 AM	#3
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Get the bike stabilized and Pull HARD! Don't be a sissy. Your not gunna hurt anything but your hands if it slips. Mech gloves go a long way to improve grip but she will turn if you pull hard enough. Take your time getting the spanner in the notches and a good bite with it. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

July 24th, 2013, 11:47 AM	#7
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	__________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

July 24th, 2013, 12:26 PM	#10
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	i use a flat head and a hammer. using spanners is too hard for my sissy little arms. __________________________________________________

July 24th, 2013, 12:31 PM	#12
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Yes, only one direction. Don't try to turn it down, try to turn it up. It will click over 5 back to 1 and go up from there where you want it. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

July 24th, 2013, 11:41 AM	#2
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Try spraying some penetrating oil on the adjusting threads. That should free it up. My condolences on your lose.

July 24th, 2013, 11:43 AM	#5
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	It sounds like you may have found this thread already, but just in case: DIY - Adjusting the rear shock preload /thread moved to new-gen tech __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

July 24th, 2013, 11:44 AM	#6
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	I'm not familiar with PB Blaster but WD-40 is a great product.

July 24th, 2013, 11:49 AM	#8
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Awesome flow chart Chris!

July 24th, 2013, 12:27 PM	#11
passive101 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Wisconsin Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 55	I tried hitting it with a flat head and a hammer and it didn't move. Does it only turn in one direction? It's on the highest setting now.

July 24th, 2013, 12:40 PM	#13
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	by the way- 1-2 inches of travel is good. you don't want to bottom out. 190lbs i would expect the stock shock to be undersprung in fact. __________________________________________________

July 24th, 2013, 12:41 PM	#14
Aggrotech ninjette.org sage Name: Justin Location: Fresno CA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 12' Ninja 250 Posts: 831	just be calm and dont rush it lol. I've found that it'll only turn if i have the force in the riiiight spot while trying to adjust it. I just cant have my hand anywhere and pull in the general direction. Needs to be juuust right.

July 24th, 2013, 12:54 PM	#15
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Unloading the shock helps A LOT. With the bike resting on its tires you're fighting gravity as well as friction. You can put a jack under the lower linkage and lift the bike that way (make sure you've stabilized it... just get someone to hold the handlebars), or you can do the ladder trick: put a ladder over the pillion, lift the bike using your paddock stand, put a strap or rope under the tail (through the passenger peg brackets) and over the ladder, tighten, remove stand Hey presto, rear tire is floating in midair, bike is dangling from the ladder, and the shock is completely unloaded. I did the former when I adjusted mine simply because I hadn't figured out the ladder trick yet. It was done in desperation because I couldn't get that frakkin' collar to move and skinned every knuckle I've got trying. __________________________________________________ I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem.

July 24th, 2013, 01:22 PM	#16
passive101 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Wisconsin Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 55	Is there a video showing how to do this? I'm not very mechanically inclined sometimes.

July 24th, 2013, 01:36 PM	#18
passive101 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Wisconsin Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 55	Someone else said it only turns one way so I have to turn from 5 to 1? or can I go from 5 to 4?

July 24th, 2013, 02:26 PM	#20
passive101 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Wisconsin Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 55	Ugh I still can't get it to move. I managed to hurt both of my hands though. Any negative effects to having it set on the max setting when I'm 180-190lbs? I'm guessing #5 is for the max 330 lbs?

July 26th, 2013, 10:31 AM	#21
Bigballsofpaint ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jay Location: CT Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2015 636 ABS - 69 Honda 305 Posts: A lot.	Just makes for a bumpy ride. I normally ride with mine on 2 or 3, im 175lbs. So you should be at 3 or 4 for sure. that 330 lbs is bike rating, not shock/spring rating. Ive had more than 330 on it before anyway

July 26th, 2013, 10:43 AM	#22
Asspire Fix It Till Ya Break It Name: Asspyre Location: T.Dot Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 250RRrrrr Posts: 623	do you even lift bro? go hulk on it, mine was the same way. hands hurt like hell, good excuse to have a cold one after.

July 26th, 2013, 12:01 PM	#23
Driddle ninjette.org guru Name: David Location: Murrieta, California Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 288	Does that last picture seem wrong to you guys? I'm pretty sure you turn away from the sprocket, like going 4 to 5 to 1. Not 4 to 3 to 2. At least that's how I did it. When I did mine a few weeks ago, I had it on the rear stand, and it took a LOT of pushing before I could even free it from being stuck on the 1 position. I did hit my knuckle on something and bruised it and cut it open. But thats what I get for not using gloves. Just put some force behind it. And FYI, I am 190 pounds, and I ride on level 3, and I don't mind it at all. __________________________________________________ 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r \| Yoshimura Stainless Full Exhaust \| Pazzo Levers \| Puig Double Bubble \| DynoJet Stage 2 \| K&N Intake \|

July 26th, 2013, 05:29 PM	#25
passive101 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Wisconsin Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 55	I sprayed a crap load of WD40 on it, but it still won't budge. That's alright. If I need the shop to change it, I'll pay for it. I don't want to wreck the little tool for it because it just keeps popping off and hurting my hands more I wonder how much they'll charge me for that crap. Maybe I should order a set of frame sliders and have them install it and maybe they'll change it for free then or something haha

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