Virago 250. Softening suspension?

[Ixion]

I am SO not getting into this handbag fight. But, Mr Bass is right.

Changing the position of the spring doesn't alter its 'springiness'. Only changing the spring for a 'springier' one can do that. Or, a system like Velos used to have where the angle of the shock itself can be changed .

Push one end of the spring, and the other end moves. Imagine taking the spring off, and holding it upright with the bottom resting on the ground. Now put a potato on the top of the spring. Measure the spring. Now put a book between the spring and the ground. Measure the spring again. Reckon the meaurement will be any different? The potato will be higher off the ground , but the spring will be the same length.

Replace book with swingarm and wheel. And potato with seat etc. Same deal.

[Bass]

Replace book with swingarm and wheel. And potato with seat etc. Same deal.

And changing the preload is merely changing the distance between the potato and the top of the spring

[Ixion]

Yes. Putting a second book between the potato and the spring doesn't change the length of the spring either. Or its springiness. It will make the potato higher.

(I was thinking of the old Girlings that had the preload at the bottom. But top or bottom, result's the same)

Killing off this urban legend is almost as hard as killing the one that says that putting a huge wide tyre on the back rim improves handling.

[Bass]

Or, a system like Velos used to have where the angle of the shock itself can be changed .

Must have a chat about that over a beer sometime.
Anything other than the isosceles setup that I mentioned gives a falling rate response and I would have thought that would make for some potentially nasty characteristics.

[FilthyLuka]

oh man, now i remember why i don't mess with suspension.

It's literally the only thing on my motorcycles that i will pay someone to do.

Its like a guitars truss rod, set it up and don't fuck with it. Because, as confucus (sp?) once said: "if you fuck it its fucked"

Hey bass, outta curiousity, is this what you do for a living? The 'blade is set up for someone who is 100kg and im 50, so i needa re do it and there is far to many turney things for me to get my head around. Rebound, damping, preload... bah!

edit: (oops, that was a bit of a thread jack wasn't it?)

[Bass]

Hey bass, outta curiousity, is this what you do for a living? The 'blade is set up for someone who is 100kg and im 50, so i needa re do it and there is far to many turney things for me to get my head around. Rebound, damping, preload... bah!

edit: (oops, that was a bit of a thread jack wasn't it?)

PM sent.....

[sunhuntin]

well, after reading through that... i think im just gonna leave it as is for the moment! LOL she didnt complain last week, so yeh. cant have been too hard on her. lol.

thanks ladies and gents.

[Bass]

Oh dear - you asked a simple question and things blew up out of control.
Look, try adjusting the preload up or down, see if it feels better. Your bike's not going to blow up or anything, and it won't make such a huge difference that you'll lose control and crash.

VFman is dead right.
It's the simplest of all the suspension adjustments and it's deliberately made that way because it's intended to deal with changing loads, which happens often, like adding a pillion.
Don't be afraid of it.
If you have concerns, just note where the settings are now. You can always go back there.
On your bike, the adjusters are easily accessible and easy to use.
I doubt that you will notice any difference in the handling, but it will stop the suspension bottoming out and jarring the base of your spine when you are 2-up in the lumpies
I would wager my left one that once you have done it a couple of times, you will be completely comfortable with it and it will take literally seconds.



Now... about adjusting your suspension preload......

[wolf.47]

well, after reading through that... i think im just gonna leave it as is for the moment! LOL she didnt complain last week, so yeh. cant have been too hard on her. lol.

thanks ladies and gents.

I just stick a screw driver in that little hole piece and twist it round to change the setting, try it. Find it will still bottom out going over harsh bumps though like into driveways, even if fully cranked. Adjusting the spring platform up will not lift up the bike cause it can only go as high as the full extended length of the shock. But puts the spring under more compression there for making it stiffer because they are progressive springs.
Sweet.

[sunhuntin]

I just stick a screw driver in that little hole piece and twist it round to change the setting, try it. Find it will still bottom out going over harsh bumps though like into driveways, even if fully cranked. Adjusting the spring platform up will not lift up the bike cause it can only go as high as the full extended length of the shock. But puts the spring under more compression there for making it stiffer because they are progressive springs.
Sweet.

welllll, hi dude!! long time no see! how the hell are ya?

ive got a different pillion now, and i dont think doing anything to the suspension will make things more comfy for her. lol. ill just have to take it easy.
now... how to teach her not to lean on me and make me sit on the tank.

[wolf.47]

welllll, hi dude!! long time no see! how the hell are ya?

ive got a different pillion now, and i dont think doing anything to the suspension will make things more comfy for her. lol. ill just have to take it easy.
now... how to teach her not to lean on me and make me sit on the tank.

Hi, Im good.
Get my full next mounth (if i pass of course)
Any one wana buy a 250 cruiser.