ok guys sorry to rush straight in with another question, but wondered if anyone could advise me on my rear shock
I've got a ktm exc 450, and when the bike is on its paddock stand the clearance between the back wheel and mud guard is exactly as it should be
when i take it off the stand it drops about 100mm which i think is roughly right to, however when i sit on it it drops right down more than it should.
i am 16 stone and i know these bikes are set up for smaller lighter people, the shock is a pds wp shock no linkage its direct to the swinging arm but it is adjustable,
has anyone had a go at winding one of these down increasing the spring preload to make it stiffer, the haynes manual says you shouldn't do it to much as it messes with the bikes handling but will it make much difference for green laneing its not like I'm racing a motocross track. Or the other option is to get a stiffer spring .
100mm is to much on a PDS bike it should be around 30-40mm.
Do you have the manual with it? It's all detailed in there.
You should find the standard spring rate suitable for trail riding but if you're thinking of racing I'd look in to a different spring.
I had the one I use regularly shortened, then painted orange, but it's a little too stiff and uncomfortable on the bottom compared to the standard length white one which is more boingy.
I'm sure this is not a helpful response Ryan, so I will make like Zebedee to rehab.
I only have a Haynes manual and it says the static sag should be 35 mm and if the sag is more then the spring pre load should be increased so perhaps I should wind it down a bit just worried about screwing up the handling
Sounds like the spring has gone weak, or is a lighter spring. Like Snaf says if it is dropping 100mm just with the weight of the bike then it is probably fuxxored
Options
loose weight.
Fit new standard spring,
fit new progressive spring
Fit rated spring, rated for your weight including the gear you have
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I wouldn't worry to much about screwing up the handling as raising the back end will bring it back to where it should be. The spring ratings are for racing where you may be jumping or hitting washed out gullies at speed, I'd guess that the previous owner lowered the bike by winding off the pre load. Just make a note of everything you do so that you can come back to a setting that you know.
Try that and if you don't like it I'd suggest talking to Justin Gibbs for an opinion on spring rates and settings as the PDS system takes a bit of knowledge to set up right.
Thanks for the offer Hugh but after a bit more investigating and a look at another bike the same year as mine it turns out I don't have a standard shock its a smaller one from a different bike the last owner must of had it lowered so I am now on the look out for a second hand standard shock there's a couple on eBay but quite expensive so I might try a bike breakers but thanks for all the help and advice
