zxr250 rear suspension setup

[merv]

I don't know the ZXR250 well but I presume its like most mono-shocks (except the trusty VFR which has easy adjustment) with the two notched screw rings that adjust the spring preload up or down. Typically you have to hold one of the rings and undo the other because they act like a lock-nut. So my advice is go down to your shop and buy two C-spanners. I use two on my dirt bikes.

Then adjust the spring tension to suit, one spanner is OK for that, but then you need two to lock them together again. Also typically from what I have owned the standard setting for preload seems to be somehwere in the middle meaning the two screw rings things will have about equal amount of thread sticking out top and bottom. Me being a short arse and not too heavy, I generally have to back mine off a bit (but not right off like your pokemon) or else the ride is too firm.

The trick is to adjust it to suit your weight so the ride is just right, but remember if you stiffen up the spring you may need to stiffen up the damping adjustment too to stop it pogo-sticking as the damping has to resist the bouncing forces that the spring generates with your 85-90kg arse moving up and down on the bumps.

[Redstar]

If I'm a gambling man Id say your maxing out your shock?
is there a leak of oil? chances are the oil is almost history and we are down to GAS? now the more shaft we expose the greater the risk of bending! so a girlfriend told me in 1979 and if you bend your shaft your up for a new one! a rebuild is like $160 but a new one is like $400 so don't dick around rebuild it before you bend it.
PS Mines due.

[georgedubyabush]

Errr, now I'm confused. There's no oil leakage at all, it's just how I got it from red baron: On the lowest setting. Do you mean that my weight on the soft spring is frigging the shock? I havent noticed a 'fucked-shock' feel (like in several old shitter cars ive had).

I drove today so cant look at it but, It has 5 or 6 steps that you twist onto, dont think it has a locknut (although maybe I'm missing the obvious and it does and thats why it wont turn). Its the same as the twins on the XL185.

Just waiting on motomail catalogue to get the tool. I can see that crusty old pipe wrench sitting in the corner tempting me though...

Maybe i'll just ride up through the Mungamuka gorge to Kaitaia Motorcycles and be done with it. Be a good comparason on the way back.

 

[merv]

OK most old twin shock bikes had the stepped adjusters on (like you mention for the XL185) and I did admit I don't know the ZXR250, but if its a monoshock then I would have expected it to be a screw thread adjustment type. If not then you probably will only need one c-spanner as you won't have a lockring to undo as well. Anyone else out there with a ZXR that can advise?

What redstar is saying is your shock may need a rebuild too - maybe there is no sign of oil because its all leaked out already - but then you say it doesn't feel bad so it probably is OK. During a rebuild they re-gas them too.

Sounds to me you still gotta get the preload set right first and go from there and it definitely isn't normal to be on the softest setting - they generally come standard set somewhere in the middle so you gotta get back to there first.

Then worry about the shock rebuild if its needed.

[Dave]

As you said at the start of this thread, if the spring is set on the softest knot, it will be too soft for an 80/85 kg rider. Get a c-spanner, jack the bike so the weight is off it. You mentioned that it had 6 positions- Go to the 2 position from hardest, this should work well for your weight.
The shock should also have 2 screw adjustments for compresion and preload, they will almost certainly be set to minimum for pokemon boy. Wind them all the way in and then screw them right out to get an idea of how much adjustment they have.
Set both to the middle of their travel.
This will make every thing work fairly well until you find some factory settings. The bike will handle better with stiffer settings at the rear than if it is too soft.
Once you get used to riding it you can start to alter the compression and rebound settings, but at the moment you dont have anything to compare it to.
see ya!

[georgedubyabush]

cheers, that really helps alot. Soon as I get the tool.

While i'm at it I should probably get a few other things and make up a bit of a kit. Guess, a couple of spanners, alan key, screwdriver, ductape, zip ties, pliers, some kind of puncture plug kit? anything else suggested for the road?

[Dave]

Go to a car wrecker (or bike wrecker) and get a tool kit out of a jap car, they come in a little pouch and have an interchangable screw driver,10/12mm open ended spanner,14/17 open ender, and some slip jaw pliers.
Then just buy the one or two allen keys you need at repco.
This will save you heaps of cash!