[elaineo]

I admit, this is the first time I've ever looked in this forum, and I was surprised to see only one thread in here. Okay I will now double the number of threads.

So, um, yesterday a friend of mine was helping me set up the suspension on my 2001 f4i. Even in the softest setting, we couldn't get the bike to sag one bit. My friend who is 160 lbs or so then tried sitting on the bike and got only a slight sag. f4i's must have really stiff suspension or something.

Whenever I ride over rough pavement, or just a pebble on the road, the bike literally bounces my ass out of the seat and up in the air. it's really annoying.

So I'm looking for aftermarket shocks right now. I need something really soft. Any recommendations?

Thanks

[OreoGitorio]

that kinda suprises me... TLRMan & i i just did some adjustments yesterday on my '00 zx-6r... the front was way too soft & the rear was a little stiff... she rides alot better now

at the risk of sounding like an a-hole... are you sure you were adjusting them properly?

btw, if you use the dropdown menue in this section of the forum to view ALL the threads in this section, there's alot more than two

[elaineo]

Originally posted by OreoGaborio
at the risk of sounding like an a-hole... are you sure you were adjusting them properly?

why wouldn't i be and why should this surprise you?

Originally posted by OreoGaborio
btw, if you use the dropdown menue in this section of the forum to view ALL the threads in this section, there's alot more than two

oh. thanks

[gmdboston]

The F4i stock shock will give some free sag if you set the preload on the softer settings. The spring i actualy too soft, which is what makes the bike feel stiff. As an NESR Member I can get you a good deal on Penske and Ohlins shocks. PM me for pricing.

[legalspeed]

Peter, do you offer any "settings" services?

What I mean is she may not be getting all she can out of the stock set-up; makes a little bit of difference to have an expert like you help.

[elaineo]

ok hold on... back up here... the spring adjuster on my bike is at setting 3, and the rebound and compression are turned all the way out. When I sit on the bike, there is no sag, and I'm probably about 110 lbs with gear on. are you saying that if i use setting 4 or 5 on my spring, I will be able to get some sag?

(sorry if i sound stupid, i don't know anything about suspension)

[stoinkythepig]

If you only have three lines showing on the "spring adjuster" (assuming this is the fork pre-load) and cannot get the bike to sag, you need to back the adjusters way out by turning them counterclockwise until they stop. Then sit on the bike and turn them in (clockwise) until sag is correct.

"Soft" springs are probably close to correct for someone as light as you appear to be.

Rebound and compression will have no affect on sag, only the spring rate, spring preload and "stiction" will affect sag.

[elaineo]

We're talking about the rear preload here, right? I thought that position 3 was the softest setting for the spring, and that higher positions would make it stiffer. I should go back and read the service manual more carefully....

[stoinkythepig]

No, I was talking about the front and making poor assumtions. I have no idea what #3 means with regards to rear pre-load on a Honda F4i. Sorry, my bad.

That said, set it to whatever the lightest setting is to start. On most bikes, the lightest would likely be "1" but that's another assumption on my part...

[gmdboston]

The Honda has a ramped type preload adjuster. Setting number one is the softest. Even at 110 lbs you should get some sag on #3. We do offer a setting service at no charge. All you need to do is call me to set up a time. It takes about 30 min. to set sag and damping. I can fit you in late this week or early next week.

[legalspeed]

Originally posted by gmdboston
The Honda has a ramped type preload adjuster. Setting number one is the softest. Even at 110 lbs you should get some sag on #3. We do offer a setting service at no charge. All you need to do is call me to set up a time. It takes about 30 min. to set sag and damping. I can fit you in late this week or early next week.

Elaine, jump all over this.

Not to disrespect others, Peter is the best in the business.

[Honclfibr]

Originally posted by legalspeed
Elaine, jump all over this.

Not to disrespect others, Peter is the best in the business.

Early next week, that should give you plenty of time right?

Ok so it won't exactly be Zen, call it Unitarianism and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, you can sample a bit of each state as you blow through at 120mph

[elaineo]

very funny..

gmd -- i'm in CA right now, can i take you up on the offer when i come back at the end of august? haha

i don't know why my preload adjuster won't turn lower than 3. it's possible i'm not looking at the right indicator (can't really tell where the position indicator is, actually).

for now i'll just let some air outta my tires.

[gmdboston]

Originally posted by elaineo
very funny..

gmd -- i'm in CA right now, can i take you up on the offer when i come back at the end of august? haha

i don't know why my preload adjuster won't turn lower than 3. it's possible i'm not looking at the right indicator (can't really tell where the position indicator is, actually).

for now i'll just let some air outta my tires.

There is no expiration on customer service, when ever you get back just call me to set up a time.