Tutorial: Adjusting the Shock Spring Preload for the RX3 - Page 6

SpudRider · 06-16-2015, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjmorel

Spud, here's what I did for my aging back to get it up on center stand easier out in the field.
http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...d=1#post187142

The Husky jack would be more challenging to take out on a ride I must admit, rj

Thanks for posting that great tip, RJ.

In a pinch, one could also roll the rear wheel onto a flat rock.

dave92029 · 07-01-2015, 05:38 PM

Thank you for this tutorial and all the helpful comments. You guys gave me confidence to adjust my shock today.

I took a slightly different approach. I removed the heat shield from the exhaust pipe and the clamp that secures the pipe. This gave me access to the shock, even with my very large hands.

I then used a 5/32 Hex socket from my 10pc HF hex set to loosen the retaining ring.

I only tightened my shock 3 full rotations. This is a big improvement. I might need to tighten an other turn but I'll ride the bike for a while and see how this feels.

I found that both my tires were delivered with approx 6 lbs more air pressure than the owners handbook suggests, so I brought the tire pressure inline with the handbook.

I also softened the rebound dampening.

The bike has about 400 sMiles on her in the first week so we are still getting to know each other. I'm really enjoying the ride.

SpudRider · 07-01-2015, 07:36 PM

Thanks for the kind words and updating the thread with your personal experience regarding the preload adjustment procedure.

fishman10 · 07-01-2015, 08:19 PM

i've adjusted my dampening to no avail to slow down the rebound dampening ,it only has one click left,,,sigh

SpudRider · 07-02-2015, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishman10

i've adjusted my dampening to no avail to slow down the rebound dampening ,it only has one click left,,,sigh

If/when CSC starts selling an aftermarket shock absorber, I will certainly be buying one.

How about you, Fish?

fishman10 · 07-02-2015, 09:25 AM

if csc's pricing is fair ,,,yes indeed!! i will buy .... it will transform this great little bike!,,,i think even the stock shock on mine is defective as it seems to have no dampening ,, just a spring effect ,,as it trys to launch me at times . On a side note ,,,,it runs much better now that the valves are adjusted..

rtking · 09-07-2015, 08:14 PM

As always, thanks to Spud and all that posted on doing the preload adjustment. As a big guy, the stock setting had me bottoming the shock with any kind of bounce on the seat. Following the guide posted by Spud, I was able to access the Allen Head screw that was facing rearward by removing the battery. I gave 8 turns to the coil/collar which firms up the spring quite a bit, and I oriented the collar's lock screw toward the left side of the bike so I can now back-off the screw without having to disassemble the side panels and battery.

8 turns feels pretty stiff, but the bike handled pavement great. I think for any kind of off road use, I'd probably back off the preload by 2 turns and get it back to 6 turns tighter/stiffer from the stock setting.

I also changed the oil today (after 58 hard break-in miles) and was glad to have done so. There was what I am assuming to be assembly lube and metal particles around the drain plug, and around the screen filters. This was expected. But I feel better putting fresh dino-oil (Valvoline 4T 10w-40) into the bike, and the bike rewarded me with an easier time finding neutral.

I am loving this bike more and more each time I ride it!

3banger · 09-07-2015, 09:28 PM

I'm curious where people are setting up there rear shocks? Here is where I left mine; the preload measurment is the exposed threads on the shock body.

rtking · 09-14-2015, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3banger

I'm curious where people are setting up there rear shocks? Here is where I left mine; the preload measurment is the exposed threads on the shock body.

Interesting. Seems mine was set really loose from the factory. In the attached image, you can see the darker area of the shock body is where the stock setting was. I didn't measure sag, but tried to follow your table (see below.)

8 turns stiffer was indeed pretty stiff, but rode well for my weight (well north of 230 lbs) on smooth highway. Backing off one turn (to 7 turns total toward stiffer) seems to yield the best compromise... but I'll test it out more this coming weekend when I can go for a longer ride.

Just a note that, turning the collar so the Allen head lock-nut on the collar is facing the left side of the bike made adjustment so much easier. A long extension and I can release the Allen head screw, and using leather work gloves, I can reach the spring from the left side and from behind the mud flap to rotate the spring (after unloading the shock, of course.) Very easy.

jogirob · 03-28-2017, 06:47 PM

I didn't see any mention of the adjustment screw on the bottom of the shock/spring assembly. It has and "increase/decrease" setting. Is this something new for the 2016 models? Or is this screw for fine tuning?

jbfla · 03-28-2017, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jogirob

I didn't see any mention of the adjustment screw on the bottom of the shock/spring assembly. It has and "increase/decrease" setting. Is this something new for the 2016 models? Or is this screw for fine tuning?

It is a rebound damping adjustment.

I spent hours going back and forth over bumpy pavement to get the adjustment right for me.

I changed the setting one click at a time, then tested.

Others have said they could not feel the difference from on setting to the next.

For me it made the ride go from spine jarring to tolerable.

jb

Jay In Milpitas · 03-28-2017, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jogirob

I didn't see any mention of the adjustment screw on the bottom of the shock/spring assembly. It has and "increase/decrease" setting. Is this something new for the 2016 models? Or is this screw for fine tuning?

It's not new, it is also on the 2015 models.

jogirob · 03-28-2017, 08:21 PM

Ah OK thanks for the explanation. The screw is actually shown one of the first photos posted in this tutorial. I don't know how I missed it!

GSC · 04-21-2017, 05:25 PM

adjusted pre-load today.
went in from left side after disconnecting PCV line from bottom of airbox, two hands with right hand under mudflap makes turning easy.
#4 allen loosened the collar, added 3 turns clockwise or down, job done.
my off road ride much improved.

thanks people for good advise on many ways to gain access.

nextor · 01-08-2018, 11:34 PM

Im doing this procedure. But the spring is very hard for my hand and only do 4 turns around the spring with my hand. You know any procedure for can do more turns? Thanks-

07-01-2015, 05:38 PM	#77
dave92029 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 117	Thank you for posting this tutorial Thank you for this tutorial and all the helpful comments. You guys gave me confidence to adjust my shock today. I took a slightly different approach. I removed the heat shield from the exhaust pipe and the clamp that secures the pipe. This gave me access to the shock, even with my very large hands. I then used a 5/32 Hex socket from my 10pc HF hex set to loosen the retaining ring. I only tightened my shock 3 full rotations. This is a big improvement. I might need to tighten an other turn but I'll ride the bike for a while and see how this feels. I found that both my tires were delivered with approx 6 lbs more air pressure than the owners handbook suggests, so I brought the tire pressure inline with the handbook. I also softened the rebound dampening. The bike has about 400 sMiles on her in the first week so we are still getting to know each other. I'm really enjoying the ride.
	1

07-01-2015, 07:36 PM	#78
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Thanks for the kind words and updating the thread with your personal experience regarding the preload adjustment procedure. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

07-01-2015, 08:19 PM	#79
fishman10 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central PA Posts: 770	dampening i've adjusted my dampening to no avail to slow down the rebound dampening ,it only has one click left,,,sigh __________________ 2015 zongshen rx3,,(Sold),,,2016 bashan storm,,2005 Harley ultra classic.
	0

07-02-2015, 09:25 AM	#81
fishman10 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central PA Posts: 770	praying for new shock if csc's pricing is fair ,,,yes indeed!! i will buy .... it will transform this great little bike!,,,i think even the stock shock on mine is defective as it seems to have no dampening ,, just a spring effect ,,as it trys to launch me at times . On a side note ,,,,it runs much better now that the valves are adjusted.. __________________ 2015 zongshen rx3,,(Sold),,,2016 bashan storm,,2005 Harley ultra classic. Last edited by fishman10; 07-02-2015 at 09:26 AM. Reason: spelling
	0

03-28-2017, 06:47 PM	#85
jogirob Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: west Sacramento, ca Posts: 36	2016 adjustable rear shock difference? I didn't see any mention of the adjustment screw on the bottom of the shock/spring assembly. It has and "increase/decrease" setting. Is this something new for the 2016 models? Or is this screw for fine tuning?
	0

09-07-2015, 08:14 PM	#82
rtking Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 410	As always, thanks to Spud and all that posted on doing the preload adjustment. As a big guy, the stock setting had me bottoming the shock with any kind of bounce on the seat. Following the guide posted by Spud, I was able to access the Allen Head screw that was facing rearward by removing the battery. I gave 8 turns to the coil/collar which firms up the spring quite a bit, and I oriented the collar's lock screw toward the left side of the bike so I can now back-off the screw without having to disassemble the side panels and battery. 8 turns feels pretty stiff, but the bike handled pavement great. I think for any kind of off road use, I'd probably back off the preload by 2 turns and get it back to 6 turns tighter/stiffer from the stock setting. I also changed the oil today (after 58 hard break-in miles) and was glad to have done so. There was what I am assuming to be assembly lube and metal particles around the drain plug, and around the screen filters. This was expected. But I feel better putting fresh dino-oil (Valvoline 4T 10w-40) into the bike, and the bike rewarded me with an easier time finding neutral. I am loving this bike more and more each time I ride it!
	0

09-07-2015, 09:28 PM	#83
3banger Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 159	I'm curious where people are setting up there rear shocks? Here is where I left mine; the preload measurment is the exposed threads on the shock body.
	0

03-28-2017, 08:21 PM	#88
jogirob Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: west Sacramento, ca Posts: 36	Ah OK thanks for the explanation. The screw is actually shown one of the first photos posted in this tutorial. I don't know how I missed it!
	1

04-21-2017, 05:25 PM	#89
GSC Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Taos Posts: 104	adjusted pre-load today. went in from left side after disconnecting PCV line from bottom of airbox, two hands with right hand under mudflap makes turning easy. #4 allen loosened the collar, added 3 turns clockwise or down, job done. my off road ride much improved. thanks people for good advise on many ways to gain access.
	3

01-08-2018, 11:34 PM	#90
nextor Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 6	Im doing this procedure. But the spring is very hard for my hand and only do 4 turns around the spring with my hand. You know any procedure for can do more turns? Thanks-
	0