Struggling to Adjust Early Shock Preload.

[pockets]

Hi Chaps,

So I have an '89 NC30 with the early type Showa shock, I'm trying to adjust the preload to suit my rotund carcass but I just can't seem to get the preload adjuster ring to move, I'm using a c-spanner and have tried some penetrating fluid, is there a knack to these or do I need to twat the brute with a hammer? Ideally I'd like to get a new shock suited to my weight but for now I just want to stiffen what I have...missus.

Cheers.

[skinnydog0_0]

It's many years since I have seen a standard shock, but if it's not been adjusted for many years it may well be stuck. I guess just keep putting the wd40 or lube on and trying. If the adjuster is ally it may have corroded onto the thread so much more difficult if not impossible to move.

[hunter]

There are two nuts,Slacken off the bottom nut first,
Then wind the other up against the spring untill the required amount is reached,
Then wind up the bottom nut to lock.

[gavins]

From memory, the early type shock (no remote reservoir) doesn't have 2 lock rings, it has the old 'stepped' adjuster that works in increments. Perhaps loosen it with a hammer and drift to free it if it's seized?

[Neosophist]

From memory, the early type shock (no remote reservoir) doesn't have 2 lock rings, it has the old 'stepped' adjuster that works in increments. Perhaps loosen it with a hammer and drift to free it if it's seized?

And we have a winner.

The original shock has a stepped pre-loader.. maybe the op is turning the wrong part?

Get an assistent to lift the back up (doesnt need to be off the ground, just to take the weight off the shock)



here is an 89 shock, you can see the preloads have numbers written on them from 1-9 perhaps i forget, but you put the adjuster spanner in the square holes and turn it around

[pockets]

There are two nuts,Slacken off the bottom nut first,
Then wind the other up against the spring untill the required amount is reached,
Then wind up the bottom nut to lock.

As per Gavins/Neosophist's replies, mine's the early shock so no, it doesn't have the two lock rings.

you put the adjuster spanner in the square holes and turn it around

Yup, I know, I have the correct c-spanners but it's just impossibly tight.


I've unloaded the rear, literally tried everything, in the end I did something I'm not proud of as it goes against my mechanical sympathies, I took a large punch and an even larger hammer and 'adjusted' the ring that way, unfortunately, I cannot get it any further than setting 5 so that will have to do, it's also made a bit of a mess of the adjuster ring but then I though sod it, my plan is to get a better shock with a spring more suited to my weight anyway at some point.

Thanks for the replies gents.

[Neosophist]

if its a normal road bike and your not a track hound get a stock later type nc30 shock and have it rebuilt, itll cost you less than half what a modern replacement will cost and they are good shocks.

pisses all over the 89 shock (ive ran both).