Rear Shock adjustment VFR400

[james91]

Hi there,

I recently purchased a new shorter rear linkage from Rick oliver to raise the ride height a little at the back. i had it installed by a mechanic and it was clearly higher for a while. After riding around for a bit it seems that maybe the suspension has settled or something, substantially lower. I read somewhere that you maybe have to adjust preload to compensate for the shorter linkage. Has anyone bought one of these and had experience with it? Can you tell me whether or not i need to adjust anything, and how to do it? (im not an expert with this stuff either)

Cheers
James

[Cammo]

It's just a case of installing it and ride height will be increased.

No changes are necessary, but normally you might want to reduce preload if anything to compensate for the higher spring rate when fitted, but this is not your issue.

Something is certainly wrong here. It sounds like it's exposed some weaknesses in your (probably tired, 20 year old) shock. It may have lost some gas pressure or blown some seals. Best to take it to a pro for assessment and rebuild if necessary.

[Neosophist]

As Cammo has said, its a fit and thats it job, did you see the part before you had it installed? Its a piece of metal!

Anyhow.. the normal thing to do after is reduce the preload on the spring a little as the ride-height will be higher.

If the bike has suddnely sunk I have a feeling the shock may have collapsed, blown seal, broken spring? ?

Have a look at the shock and aroud that area, make sure something hasnt broken or came loose.