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Post Info TOPIC: Suspension settings and setting the sag


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Suspension settings and setting the sag
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i posted this earlier to help someone in the "just joined the forum" section, but for all others here is a good pictoral guide to setting suspension. i found it easy to understand and very simple.

 

The first step is to take a measurement with the suspension extended, bike on stand with wheels off the ground.

 

Sag1.jpg

 

 

 

 

Sag2.jpg

 

The second is with the rider IN FULL GEAR on the bike. I usually stand on the foot pegs for this measurement.

 

You'll have to lean on a wall or have an assistant hold the bike upright. Make sure you are balanced, using only

 

slight fingertip pressure to keep the bike upright.

 

 

 

Sag3.jpg

 

And the last is the bike supporting it's own weight. Again, it must be balanced as in measurement 2.

 

 

 

 

 

These will require an assistant, obviously. The rear measurements can be from anything around the

 

rear axle to some point on the rear fender, more or less straight up from the axel. It's important to use

 

the same points each time.

 

 

 

Setting your 'Race Sag'

 

so your bike has a chance to work right

 

 

 

When you subtract measurement 2 from measurement 1, that is your 'race sag'. Most modern bikes have

 

12 inches of rear wheel travel, and require 3.75 to 4 inches of race sag. Your owners manual should list

 

your particular bikes requirements. My bike lists it as 100mm +/- 5mm. If no data is available,

 

use 1/3 to 30% of the total wheel travel. If it's a full size MX bike (125 through 500), you can set

 

it to 4 inches and you'll be good to go. There are two spanner type nuts on your shock holding

 

the spring at the top end. First loosen the upper one (the lock nut) and then adjust by turning the

 

lower one. You can check as you go make the adjustment without tightening the locknut back down,

 

just jump on and get the new R2 measurement. R1 won't change.

 

 

 

Front wheel travel is also usually 12 inches. My bike lists the race sag at 80mm +/- 5mm. Check your manual.

 

 

 

When you subtract measurement 3 from measurement 1, that is the 'static sag'. This isn't something you set.

 

Your static sag should be within the limits given in your owners manual. If it is not, you need to change the

 

spring, set the race sag, and measure again. My manual lists front and rear static sag at 30mm, +/- 5mm.

 

If your static sag is too little, it means that you have had to set too much preload to get the race sag in spec.

 

This means that your spring is too weak. If there is too much static sag, the spring is too strong. A good

 

suspension shop should be able to tell you what spring rate you will need, based on your bike make and

 

model, and on your weight. When you get all this right, your bike will perform the way it was designed;



-- Edited by davecambo on Wednesday 22nd of February 2012 09:24:36 AM



-- Edited by davecambo on Wednesday 22nd of February 2012 09:25:36 AM



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Got a hard copy of a TTR manual today (have a PDF version already, was looking through it again & came across all the suspension adjustments. They basically tell you where hard, medium & soft are but not much more. I was wondering if anyone with more TTR seat time has really sorted out all the settings & can recommend some starting points?

There were actually more than I realized with the rebound, pre-load, etc.

I am around 175 lbs, riding mixed terrain (smooth dirt roads to rocky washouts) at moderate speeds (alot slower than the guys we rode with last weekend who seemed pretty aggressive)

 

Thanks, Ted



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NEK (Almost in Canada)

VERMONT USA



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RE: Suspension settings?
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I'm having the same thoughts Ted about the settings on my '94 Raid...i think its had a later shock fitted to it as it's got a gas adjustable part to it (which im not sure actually works) and i'm keen to get the right settings for my weight etc.
I'm about 14.5 stone / 92kg / 200lb
Any ideas chaps?
Neil.

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I actually had done a search & had just read/bookmarked Dave's "race sag set-up"  post before I posted my question. I will start with that guide but...

That is a generic guide & aimed at "race" bikes (which might be set up the same, but might not. I don't really know, as I'm trail riding not racing.) For instance, I would have to assume that the front spring "race sag" is adjusted with air pressure but again I don't know, so that's why I'm asking.

Then, once the "race sag" is set, there are then TTR-specific settings with the damping & rebound adjustments (knob in back, dials on the forks, wheel on the bottom of the shock) I'm also wondering about.

I already know the adjutments are there, the question is why do you choose specific settings for you & the terrain your'e riding.

 

This from eHow: "Start by turning the adjuster all the way counterclockwise, and then turn it clockwise your desired number of clicks."  doesn't tell me anything.



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NEK (Almost in Canada)

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here's my experience, for what it's worth..

I "ran in" the new bike for a couple thousand kms;
I set the rear sag for my weight (had a BIG effect!);
I changed the fork oil, using 5W (which is actually a bit bit heavier than standard);
I did a few test loops to finally adjust the suspension settings to:
- front compression: soft;
- rear rebound: hard;
- rear compression: fairly soft;
- front air pressure: couldn't be bothered.

but that is probably not relevant for you because:
- different springs in AU model;
- different terrain;
- different riding style and personal preferences;
- I am probably lighter than you.

you can't change the front sag (ie preload) except maybe by modifying the top spring spacer.

the only way is "suck it and see".
try it on the extreme settings first,
then have a guess,
then you will probably be sick of the whole exercise and keep that setup forever.

and don't forget your human "leg suspension".






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Check out Youtube, there are heaps of videos on setting sag, rebound etc...

Click this link to a heap of videos

YouTube

 

smile



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brindabella wrote:


"then you will probably be sick of the whole exercise and keep that setup forever."



This is what I'm thinking happens with most folks. Thank you all for the tips & links.

 

I am going to set up the sag, best I can. Then I'll research what rebound & compression settings do & under what conditions do you change a specific setting for a specific result. I don't really feel savvy enough to recognize subtle changes though, so we'll see.

 

When I posted my question, I hadn't yet searched outside of the forum, with the hope that a few with more TTR experience had found settings they liked.



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NEK (Almost in Canada)

VERMONT USA



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suspension set up..
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A couple of questions...

What weight rider is the TTR sprung for...

What rider sag works best on the TTR... 30/35% , 1/3 of suspenion travel ?

I'm looking at getting a 2" lowering link from totallyttrs..

dose the link soften the suspension?..... like the dog bone style can...

 

 



-- Edited by petenz on Sunday 30th of June 2013 05:17:01 AM



-- Edited by petenz on Sunday 30th of June 2013 05:29:39 AM



-- Edited by petenz on Sunday 30th of June 2013 06:04:51 AM

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I'm not to sure of how others setup but I have had a 'fiddle' on x2 TTR's. From what I found fitting a lowering link doesn't change how soft the back is (before ordering check all the other bushes so you don't have to do the job again) I adjusted the shocker unit using the C-spanner in the XTR tool kit to wind it back up a bit. There are x2 adjustments one by the carb and the other below the shock unit which to be polite is not easy to access.

I have seen some guys set the back to give a slow rebound but I feel this is a static measurement - I go for dynamic, adjusting after a run as I see the back reacting much faster -( a bit like running pickups off-road - they take a bit of shaking in). To me if the back is a bit stiff then when you hit a bump the back will not respond in time and buck up as if a solid setup.

Yep I fitted 'dog-bones to the XTR and it feels a bit softer but then I stiffened up the front - the front was too soft riding down steep hills often bottoming out, much better with the Transalp springs.

Hope this helps, some of the TTR pins are difficult to remove, if you like I could give a few tips on how to remove them (without damage)



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For a bit more info for you Petenz. When I brought my TTR the back was so soft, it would drop < 1/3 (it had a lowering link fitted) and did not respond to the rear shock adjustment by the carb. At first I assumed the rear shock was faulty, I rode the bike like it as am a 'Crap rider' and could get both feet down. Now a bit better rider I wound up the shock spring when I changed the lower shock bearing and adjusted the shock damper - now the backend is much stiffer and I can feel the adjustment working on the top rear shock adjustment. As I put down earlier I adjust as I ride, as even a rider of the same weight will have a different ride position and setup preference. I only using static adjustment as a starter. Front end I just change oil or grade - it's only a trail bike.

I'm say 15 stone and my son is 14 stone both very different riders and bikes set to suit each.



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Rear OE shock settings
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Hi all, I have had a look on here and on the FAQ pages and can't find the original settings for the OE shock. I've just got mine back from Gibbs Performance and wanted it set back to standard before I attempt any adjustments. Any ideas?

Scott 



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OE= Open Enduro or original equipment?

This is from the service manual for blue TTR's. Is that an Open Enduro anyway?

 

Shockadj1_zps135ce321.jpg

Shockadj2_zps3e34022e.jpg



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NEK (Almost in Canada)

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Hi, it is an original equipment shock on an Open Enduro.  I ended up calling the guy who refurbished/re built the shock and had a chat with him about adjustments so have set the sag and had a bit of a fiddle with the shock but will have another go with that info, thanks smile

 



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Hp


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RE: setting suspension sag
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So how many inchs of sag do we need?


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lord of the dismount



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It's as it said in the instructions:-

"If no data is available,

use 1/3 to 30% of the total wheel travel. If it's a full size MX bike (125 through 500), you can set

 

it to 4 inches and you'll be good to go."

 

If you read it carefully then it should be easy to understand.  confuseconfuse

 

Martyn



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Hp


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Thanks for that. What can I say me and my bro was having a Christmas drink whilst rebuilding my Bike (after having the Shock serviced and weight specific spring) in time for our TRF Christmas rideout :)
To much vodka to do maths :)

Merry Christmas and thanks for your help :)


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lord of the dismount



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Front suspension compression adjustment
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Yes yes. Another question from me!!

Searched but can't find an answer

Do All the ttrs have adjustable compression at the bottom of the forks?

My front forks at the bottom have large allen key/hex head bolt with writing saying compression adjustment. There is nothing in the middle of the bolt like a dial or adjuster.  Do you just put a suitable Allen key or whatever in there and turn the whole thing?

 

Cheers Leigh. 



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Hi Leigh

In my experience there is a rubber plug in the hex-headed bolt that you prise out and underneath there is a slotted adjusting screw.

The pic below is of a very damaged bolt but it does show the screw clearly.

Have you not got that?

Brian

Bottom_valve_damaged.jpg



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Ok so had another look this morning and poked around with a screwdriver. Yep there was a rubber plug in there.

My bad. It was very well disguised!!!!

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adjusting sag on a ttr
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hi all,i received my new lowering link from brian today which has me more sure footed.the instructions mention adjusting the sag at 100 mm to lower

the bike the full 2 inches.can someone please explain what this means.thanks.



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most jap bikes come sprung for a 70/75kg rider...
If yer lighter/heavyer to any great amount respringing
is the only way to get the sags correct...

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Bikes... 06 TTR250 / 09 XT660R / 1977 Montesa Cota 348 MRR / 1979 Montesa H6 125 Enduro...

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RE: Suspension settings and setting the sag
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hey yoo

 

what "simple" solution you recommend to fill in, after that, to be able to measure, the air pressure in front fork? thx.

 

 

(its hard to reach for me..)



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