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#1 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Tutorial: Adjusting the Shock Spring Preload for the RX3
The spring preload setting of the shock absorber in the RX3 produces a very harsh ride. Fortunately, adjusting the spring preload allows this shock to perform much better.
Remove both saddles from the bike, and remove the black plastic panel which covers the battery on the right side of the bike. To adjust the shock spring preload, you must raise the rear wheel from the ground to remove the bike's weight from the shock absorber. If you have a center stand, lift the bike onto it, and weight the front of the bike to raise the rear wheel from the ground. I don't have a center stand. Therefore, I place the side stand of my RX3 on a brick, which almost raises the bike to a vertical position. I then turn the front wheel to the left, and place my Husky 3-Ton jack under the center stand support on the right side of the motorcycle. Pumping the jack lever raises the rear wheel off the ground, and places the bike in a very solid, secure position. ![]()
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 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 |
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#2 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Remove the rear wheel so it was not weighting the shock absorber, and to enable yourself to gain better access to the shock itself. To protect the brake caliper and brake line, secure the rear brake caliper to the swingarm with a piece of Romex wire.
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 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 |
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#3 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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The locking ring for the shock spring has a single Allen bolt which tightens it. You adjust the spring preload either by turning the spring itself, or by turning the locking ring, which sits above the spring at the top of the shock. You don't need a special tool to tighten the spring preload. To gain access to the locking ring and the Allen bolt, remove the battery and the battery box from the motorcycle.
First, remove the battery. Then remove the evaporative canister which is attached to the bottom of the battery box. ![]() ![]()
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 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 |
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#4 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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However, before you can remove the battery box itself, you need to gain access to one of the four bolts securing the battery box, which is partially covered by the upper side panel at the rear of the bike. Remove the screw at the back of the side panel, and remove the bolt securing the right side of the passenger hand grip. This will allow you to pop the side cover panel from its rubber grommet. With the panel loose, tilt it clockwise, which will allow you to remove the final bolt which secures the battery box.
After removing all four bolts, remove the battery box, which allows full access to the locking ring of the shock spring. ![]() ![]()
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 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 |
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#5 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Using a socket wrench and an Allen key adapter, loosen the locking ring. Moving aside the mud flap, grab the shock spring with your left hand. Kneeling beside the bike, also grab the shock spring with your right hand.
Turning the spring counter-clockwise for three revolutions of the locking bolt, you should completely loosen the locking ring. This will verify the shock has been set at the minimum spring preload. After verifying minimum spring preload, tighten the spring for three revolutions of the locking ring, returning the spring to its original setting. Then tighten the spring for an additional, three complete revolutions, to increase the spring preload. Next, tighten the Allen bolt, which secures the locking ring in place.
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 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 |
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#6 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Having adjusted the spring preload, replace the battery box. Then, attach the evaporative canister to the bottom of the battery box. Replace the battery. Then return the side cover panel to its original position. Finally, replace the wheel. Lower the bike from the jack or center stand, replace the black panel covering the battery, and replace both saddles. With the bike fully assembled, you are ready to take a ride to test the shock absorber with the increased spring preload.
Repeat this entire procedure, either tightening, or loosening the shock spring preload, until the shock absorber performs as you desire.
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 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 |
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#7 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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I presume that six full turns from zero preload is about right for a 200+lbs rider; is that correct?
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Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer |
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#8 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Quote:
![]() ![]() I haven't added all the luggage, and the crash bars, to my RX3. Therefore, I might need to adjust the spring preload some more, after I finish adding all the equipment. However, it is much easier working on the bike in its current 'naked' configuration. I suggest riders sort out the suspension on this bike before they add all the luggage, et cetera. ![]()
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 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 |
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#9 |
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 382
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Great tutorial Spud, Thanks,
Now for a dumb question ![]() Being a beginner at suspension adjustment What is the " ride feel " I'm after for when it's set right. or is it one of those things that can't be explained Spotted another difference CSC / Honley, no evaporation canister for us (UK) |
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#10 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Quote:
![]() You want the suspension to feel smooth. You don't want to feel any harshness or jarring when you encounter potholes, or bumps in the road or trail. I will take more photos of the connections to the evaporation canister when I check the valve lash. It doesn't weigh much, and it doesn't block access to anything, but I am still considering removing it. ![]()
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 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 |
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#11 |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ChCh , NZ
Posts: 2,265
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did you measure the sags before adjusting the shock
to give you a idea where you need to be heading or if you can get the correct setting with the standard spring for your weight.. what you should be after is 35mm Static Sag. "bike under it's own weight" 33% - 1/3 of suspension travel , Rider Sag.. "Rider on bike" .
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09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com |
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#12 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Yes, I did measure the static sag. I'm waiting for my friend to help me measure the rider sag. However, I think those measurements apply more to dirt bikes, than adventure bikes. Also, in this particular instance, this shock absorber seriously needs to be adjusted to achieve the best results, irregardless of the 'ideal' numbers.
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__________________
Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 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 |
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#13 |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ChCh , NZ
Posts: 2,265
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Road bikes set for
10mm static & 20% rider so if you set somewhere in the middle of road & dirt you could be about right... Be a Soft road set up or a hard dirt set up...
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09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com |
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#14 |
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 267
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I used a shock spanner wrench and jacked the bike up to lift the rear wheel as Spud suggested. It was a bit fiddly, but I was able to make 3 full turns in a few minutes without removing anything.
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George 2016 CanAm Spyder F3-L |
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#15 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
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Quote:
![]() I wanted to use that method on my Zongshen RX3, but my good friend who has helped me in the past was unavailable for about a week. The RX3 shock absorber is soft enough in stock configuration to be punishing at times. ![]() ![]() Because of the limited suspension travel, and the adventure/street bike characteristics of the suspension, I decided to adjust the spring preload for the best riding response on pavement and dirt while I waited for my friend to help me perform the traditional method. I believe I have optimized the shock preload as best I can for the stock equipment, but the shock performance is still not satisfactory. I suspect either the limited suspension travel (5.6 inches) is not adequate for dual purpose riding, or, most probably, the stock shock spring is not strong enough for my weight. ![]() Therefore, I am going to keep the current settings until my friend finds time to help me employ the traditional, proven method. ![]()
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." ![]() 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 Last edited by SpudRider; 05-10-2015 at 01:06 AM. |
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