How to stiffen our spring shock?

[Ghost_Rider]

Really need your input bros..

I hv lowered my VLX rear suspension and hv problem with swing arm hitting my frame under the seat. I need to make my shock stiffer.

Anybody has experience with this? I can only think to add rubber damper between the springs.

For VLX shock there are 7 preload adjustment setting. What is the difference between no 1 and 7? I hv only try number 4 & 7 bacause this thing is difficult to adjust, hv to hammer it. The current setting is 7, travel distance about 1,5 inch. seems like this is the hardest.

[Mr.Sinister]

Show it porn .What happened to all the random porn ? Rep , FF , Mr Tits waz up wit dat?????

[SmokeShowin]

Show it porn .What happened to all the random porn ? Rep , FF , Mr Tits waz up wit dat?????

:luxhello:

[Mr.Sinister]

Ya know for a new guy, I feel safe in saying you will be welcome here a long time .

[Tangledj]

Really need your input bros..

I hv lowered my VLX rear suspension and hv problem with swing arm hitting my frame under the seat. I need to make my shock stiffer.

Anybody has experience with this? I can only think to add rubber damper between the springs.

For VLX shock there are 7 preload adjustment setting. What is the difference between no 1 and 7? I hv only try number 4 & 7 bacause this thing is difficult to adjust, hv to hammer it. The current setting is 7, travel distance about 1,5 inch. seems like this is the hardest.
Maybe you could use a shock from another bike.

[RustyJake]

Really need your input bros..
I hv lowered my VLX rear suspension and hv problem with swing arm hitting my frame under the seat. I need to make my shock stiffer.
Anybody has experience with this? I can only think to add rubber damper between the springs.
For VLX shock there are 7 preload adjustment setting. What is the difference between no 1 and 7? I hv only try number 4 & 7 bacause this thing is difficult to adjust, hv to hammer it. The current setting is 7, travel distance about 1,5 inch. seems like this is the hardest.

Does progressive make a shock for your bike? I couldn't find it on their site. Aside from going to that you are going to need to increase the load on the spring. That's what the adjustment does (1-7). How much travel do you need to stop?
My progressives have a 3/4" stop installed on the piston rod. When the shock is compressed fully it won't compress all the way, the stop hits. I can't see an exposed piston in your picture. That may be another option if the rod is the same size diameter as progressive. Another option would be to disassemble the shock and install a shim at the top and bottom to increase the load on the spring. The thing to ensure there, is to make certain your spring isn't contained in some sort of recess at the top and bottom, because adding a shim will move it from that area.

Good luck with it.

[Ghost_Rider]

Does progressive make a shock for your bike? I couldn't find it on their site. Aside from going to that you are going to need to increase the load on the spring. That's what the adjustment does (1-7). How much travel do you need to stop?
My progressives have a 3/4" stop installed on the piston rod. When the shock is compressed fully it won't compress all the way, the stop hits. I can't see an exposed piston in your picture. That may be another option if the rod is the same size diameter as progressive. Another option would be to disassemble the shock and install a shim at the top and bottom to increase the load on the spring. The thing to ensure there, is to make certain your spring isn't contained in some sort of recess at the top and bottom, because adding a shim will move it from that area.

Good luck with it.

Thanks RJ,

That's a good idea to add stopper. The piston is covered by some kind of PVC sleeve. I'm not familiar nor have experience with shock, so unless somebody can give me detail instruction, I can't disassemble my shock. I will check with Progressive. 3/4 inch stopper should be fine I think.

Tangledj, using other bike's shock is not an option for me....big bike is rare around here. Thks anyway.

I've dismantled my shock and just realize the preload setting is on clip #4. I thought it was #7 because it's facing upwards. Now I've change it and will see the result tomorrow.

Oh yes, some porn will be nice, thk u.

[Ghost_Rider]

This is a cheap mod for VLX shock, but probably Spirit 750 rider with 200 tire could use this as well if you need to run softail, due to the limited room below rear fender.

I hv just finished it last week and works perfect. I got the stiffness I needed, limited travel distance for riding 2 ups, plus maintaining my previous shock height.

See pictures and some brief description below:
1. Stock VLX rear shock.

2. Made my own shock compressor frm 3/8” thick steel plate to get access to the shock piston/ spindle. Compress the spring, once the locknut is visible, release it and remove the shock head.

3.Shock disassembled. I put cable ties at the shock piston (marked with circle), reinstall the shock again and press the bike rear to marked my maximum travel distance. I set it to travel max. 1 inch at rear wheel, just before my swing arm hit the upper chasis.

To stiffen the shock, I make a spacer frm 5/8” thick steel plate to add more load to the shock preload seeting. Maximum stock setting is #7. With the spacer it is stiffer to about #12. I inserted this spacer to the portion marked with arrow.

4. Rubber stopper + large washer added to the shock piston, leaving about 1/2” travel distance at the shock (just follow the cable ties position). Stopper height can be adjusted by adding more washer.

5. Picture of 5/8” thick steel spacer for the preload.

6. Shock assembled with the spacer & stopper.

Total cost: $13 for compressor (Scootworks sell this for $40) + $2 for rubber stopper & washer + $5 for preload spacer = $20

[RustyJake]

Excellent job!!! Nice photo's of the work as well. As I said to you before, kick ass job on the shock tool!
For those of you that don't have access to the metals, you can make one out of wood. 3/4" plywood and some allthread.
I know Ghost_Rider was concerned about the pressure and if the wood could stand up to that. In his application, I don't know.......but for a spirit shock it works fine.
So, he's shown you how good one can look, here's one that would make Barny Rubble proud!

[Ghost_Rider]

Thanks to you Glenn, just to let you know that I could hv never know about the progressive stopper, if you didn't pop into this thread.

Now I can ride with my wife again. I'm happy that she can handle the stiff ride very well. :Moped:

[ames77us]

Excellent job!!! Nice photo's of the work as well. As I said to you before, kick ass job on the shock tool!
For those of you that don't have access to the metals, you can make one out of wood. 3/4" plywood and some allthread.
I know Ghost_Rider was concerned about the pressure and if the wood could stand up to that. In his application, I don't know.......but for a spirit shock it works fine.
So, he's shown you how good one can look, here's one that would make Barny Rubble proud!

Hey bro Ive been trying like crazy to find out about the shock tool you have and how the heck to do this spring/coil removal mod so I can lower my bike. I appreciate all the help!!