CALI VINTAGE REAR SUSPENSION

[VINNY59]

My first post, I recently bought a 2009 california vintage, I only seem to have a standard looking spring preload on the left shock only, the right (shaft side ) has not got the visible staggered adjustment collar .
Is this normal?
I wished to soften the preload slightly as it is on max setting as can be seen on the left side.

[guzzisteve]

How many have owned it since it was sold new? Usually both are the same but maybe factory ran out of that kind ,then they reach into the other box for parts cause it's got to get out the door.

[kingoffleece]

That would be the first clue to do what I'd do anyway on a new to me motorcycle.
Go thru everything.  Everything.  I'd not be surprised if the fork oil isn't well past it's service date.
Unless you KNOW the history for service it's time for a total going over.

[Wayne Orwig]

That bike SHOULD have the rear brake proportioning valve under the swingarm. Look under the swingarm just ahead of the brake caliper. If it does, then there should NOT be a factory spring preload adjustment on the shocks. It messes up the setting for that valve. There should be damping adjustments but should not be spring preload adjustments, from the factory.

That being said, people have changed the shocks and spring and not noticed an issue. Just saying......

[VINNY59]

I cannot see any rear brake proportioning valve under the swingarm, here is apic of rear shocks left and right, as can be seen the left has the preload blacgk collar , the right does not, also the rebound adjusters are at the bottom, I have seen other pics of cali vintage with them at the top, so are the rear shocks fitted upside down? also why are they different. this bike has 27000km form new and is in showroom condition.

[guzzisteve]

CalVin's have a valve for brakes on the LH side under side cover like old days and a bleeder on top, nothing on bottom of swingarm.