[JawzX01]

Hello all,

I have a quick question for everyone; hopefully this is as simple as I think.

As some might know (I've been posting a lot with random questions), I picked up a 2008 VTX1300R about 2 months ago now.

I spend quite a bit of time riding solo but I also spend time riding with my wife. Another rider (member) that happens to work in the same office building as me, suggested that I adjust my suspension; that my bike could be bottoming out on harder bumps.

Now I've often thought about adjusting the shocks, but I never knew how to go about it so I dismissed the idea (on my Aero). But now that it was brought up by someone else I want to take a hard look at doing this.

The actual questions:

1. Is this hard to do?
2. Does the bike need to be lifted off it's tires to do this (if so, I have to take it to a dealer)
   
3. Should I have a dealer do it and if so what can I expect to pay for this?
4. What side affects might come about doing this?(Differences in handling)
   
5. My friend also said he changed the springs in his front shocks, do you think I need to do this, or can I do this later or should I at all? Is it preference?
6. For my type of riding what setting should I set it to? (Lots of solo driving with some 2-up riding as well.)
7. Will doing this help smooth out the ride for my wife (where she will be more comfy on long rides)
   

I weight about 235lbs and my wife is probably around 190lbs (bad me :nono.

Thank you for your time replying to this.

Regards,
Frank

 

[JawzX01]

Oh, and if there is anything else I missed that you can think of, feel free to post it!

Thanks again!

Regards,
Frank

 

[Charlie D]

you can turn by hand but is better if you can get a spanner to do it, setting for 2 up should be 3 or 4

I ride solo 99% of the time and have mine set on 3 it is firmer but handles the twisties better.

progresive springs are 100% better than the stock ones and will also help in the twisties

Just saw the total weight and it is what Honda calls the max but the bike will handle it just fine your setting should be at 4 with 2 up and 3 with solo.

as always some like it soft and some like it hard so you will have to decide for yourself the way you like it.

 

[JawzX01]

you can turn by hand but is better if you can get a spanner to do it, setting for 2 up should be 3 or 4

I ride solo 99% of the time and have mine set on 3 it is firmer but handles the twisties better.

progresive springs are 100% better than the stock ones and will also help in the twisties

Just saw the total weight and it is what Honda calls the max but the bike will handle it just fine your setting should be at 4 with 2 up and 3 with solo.

as always some like it soft and some like it hard so you will have to decide for yourself the way you like it.

Hey Charlie D,

Thank you very much for tips. Now the only question I have, is what is a "spanner"?

 

[JawzX01]

Is this what I would need?

http://www.bikebandit.com/product/1868

Thanks!

 

[Dorsalfin]

I ride solo with the lowest setting, and 5 with 2 up. Anything less than 5(max) with me and a petite rider will cause foot board scraping on the back road curves with crests or bumps. Its easy to adjust by hand with bike on a jack, but I usually keep a small rubber "band" wrench with me to adjust it- works well and will not mar or scratch.

 

[Bassdude404]

Is this what I would need?

http://www.bikebandit.com/product/1868

Thanks!

Yep, that's a shock spanner wrench....Used to be that one of those came in the tool kit with every new bike....Those days are long gone though...

 

[epiphysis]

first of all, I'm starting to think you should not go to the dealer for anything! adjusting the shocks is no big deal..spanner wrench or by hand, if you can do that.....if you find that your bike bottoms out..you might think about changing both the shocks and front springs..most of us have gone to the progressive shocks and springs...it will take you about half an hour to do both.....really no big deal...the shocks are obvious...get the bike off the ground and remove each bolt and remove, then reverse the process to put new ones on.....there's a great write up for the springs which I can find for you if you need it.....

 

[JawzX01]

Thanks; Right Size?

Yep, that's a shock spanner wrench....Used to be that one of those came in the tool kit with every new bike....Those days are long gone though...

Thanks for replying. Do you know if that is the right size?

Regards,
Franks

 

[JawzX01]

first of all, I'm starting to think you should not go to the dealer for anything! adjusting the shocks is no big deal..spanner wrench or by hand, if you can do that.....if you find that your bike bottoms out..you might think about changing both the shocks and front springs..most of us have gone to the progressive shocks and springs...it will take you about half an hour to do both.....really no big deal...the shocks are obvious...get the bike off the ground and remove each bolt and remove, then reverse the process to put new ones on.....there's a great write up for the springs which I can find for you if you need it.....

I probably will eventually go to the progressive ones... But this is "for now" -- a quick "fix" if you will...

Thank you for the tips. :cheers:

Regards,
Frank

 

[pme5280]

Don't sweat it. It's almost easier than dialing a phone. It wil take you about 10 seconds to do both.
Your dealer should also have a wrench in their shop. If you're the least bit nice and talk to their service manager, he'd probably let you borrow it for a minute, then you could order one for the next time.

Or if you have a buddy that has an older Honda, he probably has one (pre-06).
P

 

[JawzX01]

Would any one know if this is the right size spanner wrench to adjust the shocks on a VTX 1300 R?

http://www.bikebandit.com/product/1868

Also, would the same size work on a Shadow Aero?

(I want to try to get this ordered today... No auto shop store had them (PepBoys didn't even know what I was talking about!))

Thank you & Regards,
Frank

 

[JawzX01]

Don't sweat it. It's almost easier than dialing a phone. It wil take you about 10 seconds to do both.
Your dealer should also have a wrench in their shop. If you're the least bit nice and talk to their service manager, he'd probably let you borrow it for a minute, then you could order one for the next time.

Or if you have a buddy that has an older Honda, he probably has one (pre-06).
P

Thank you -- the idea of borrowing one is good, but I figure that since I have two motorcycles to adjust that it'd just be worth buying one.... I'm just trying to confirm the size.

Also, aside from the two bikes I also want to try a few different settings; while I think the dealer would let me borrow it once or twice, I think they'd be annoyed on the third request.

Regards,
Frank

 

[pme5280]

It's hard to tell if it will for sure, but I suspect that they are pretty much universal, as long as the tit will fit in the hole, the wrench will leverage against the shock to turn it. (Did I just say tit in the hole?)

The one for my wifes Shadow will adjust mine, so I would say yes it would work on both.
P

 

[JawzX01]

It's hard to tell if it will for sure, but I suspect that they are pretty much universal, as long as the tit will fit in the hole, the wrench will leverage against the shock to turn it. (Did I just say tit in the hole?)

The one for my wifes Shadow will adjust mine, so I would say yes it would work on both.
P

Thank you! I just wanted a second opinion. I can't find them in stores so I'm going to have to order it online... Though, first I'm going to try Sears, as they usually have a really good selection of tools!

Ride Safe,
Regards

 

[JawzX01]

I found out that Sears doesn't have them.

 

[Dorsalfin]

Advance has a $9.99 3 pack of rubber strap wrenches. The small one isn't very large, and stows nicely in your bag.

 

[JawzX01]

Advance has a $9.99 3 pack of rubber strap wrenches. The small one isn't very large, and stows nicely in your bag.

You know, when I was a Sears earlier today, I saw them. After the sales men (who took there time to help me find it (helpful and detailed, but I was in hurry)) told me that they didn't have them, I decided to give the rubber wrenches a try...

It was only $4.99 anyway... and if it doesn't work, then I will order the one that I've posted above...

Thank you! :cheers:

 

[JawzX01]

Another option for people who view this later...

http://www.shenandoahhonda.com/esho...roduct_499241.214HLINS_SHOCK_SPANNER_WREN.htm

 

[itrider]

Advance has a $9.99 3 pack of rubber strap wrenches. The small one isn't very large, and stows nicely in your bag.

+1 to the strap solution. I had a hard time finding a spanner with a small enough point to fit in the stock holes to make my adjustments. I p/u the rubber strap wrenches and they worked great on my stockers and also on my progressives.

My settings were/are:
weight: 190
stock setting: #3; 2-up #4
progressive setting: #2; 2-up #3