Preload is used to adjust the shock or spring to the correct range of operation within the suspension’s travel-more preload will raise the bike up on its suspension, keeping you near the top of its travel. With less preload, the bike sits lower and closer to the bottom of its suspension travel.
Does preload affect ride quality?
The myth: Preload affects spring rates and handling characteristics. Why it’s wrong: The short answer is that preload won’t make a spring any stiffer, and it won’t make it any softer, but all you want to know is why you’ve been told the opposite.
Does preload affect stiffness on motorcycle?
“Adding” preload causes that end of the motorcycle to rise, and vice versa. However, it DOES NOT adjust the suspension’s stiffness. The “stiff” impression when you crank up the preload is due to the reduced the sag. … Preload adjustment affects your bike’s ride height hence chassis geometry.
Does preload affect ride height?
Adjusting preload simply determines the motorcycle’s ride height. … Basically, when ride height is overly high there is too little sag. The bike rides near the top of its suspension travel, it’s stiff, uncomfortable, and if you’re vertically challenged you may have trouble reaching the ground.
Is too much preload bad?
Preloading more than the minimum to get rid of play is bad. For best shock performance, turn the preload ring until it contacts the spring and then another 1 to 2 turns.
Does preload affect shock travel?
Yes, but not the way you may think. Adding too much preload on a coilover shock will put the extended travel of the shock closer to being maxed out/fully extended. This will result in the coilover shock “topping out” very quickly and abruptly causing a harsh ride. 2.
What does more preload do?
Preload is used to adjust the shock or spring to the correct range of operation within the suspension’s travel-more preload will raise the bike up on its suspension, keeping you near the top of its travel. With less preload, the bike sits lower and closer to the bottom of its suspension travel.
What does preload mean on motorcycle suspension?
Preload is simply the amount the springs are compressed while the suspension is fully extended. … Adding more preload just means the fork won’t need to compress as far for the spring to get its 50mm, so the bike will sit a little higher at the front.
Does increasing preload increase sag?
Adjusting the preload affects what is called the “preload force”, which is the initial force that the springs exert on the shock—this is what affects the sag. By tightening the adjusting collar or external preload adjuster on the shock you will increase the preload force, which will decrease the sag and vice versa.
How do you adjust the rear preload on a motorcycle?
To adjust the preload on your bike’s rear shock, you will need a C-spanner to loosen the top locking ring and spin it up the shock to gain access to the adjuster ring. If you want to increase preload so the spring has less travel and to make the bike feel stiffer, turn the adjuster ring clockwise.
Which way do you turn coilovers down?
To adjust the coilovers, first, unlock collar B by taking your adjustment wrench and turn it clock-wise. Once loose, spin collar B by hand down the length of the coilover. You will then use the adjustment wrench to turn collar A clockwise to lower and counter-clockwise to raise the car.
How can I make my suspension softer?
How to Soften Car Suspension
- Install softer shocks and struts. As the primary component that affects your vehicle’s ride quality, shocks and struts have a very big impact. …
- Adjust the shocks to a softer setting, if you have adjustable shocks. …
- Install softer springs. …
- Replace the bushings in the suspension.
How important is static sag?
Static sag is important. How important? First and foremost, static sag, when set properly, can help you determine if you need a stiffer or softer shock spring. And, it goes without saying that a bike with too much or too little static sag is not going to work up to its potential.