Stelvio Question

[kenebar]

I just tried to adjust the rear Sachs shock on my Stelvio for a heavier load - first time.
So far I have found that the suspension has been a feature of the bike obviously due to Zocchi front forks.
However when I went to adjust the rebound screw in the left hand side of the Sachs (rear) I discovered that it was complete obscured by the yoke that the bottom of Sachs passes through before attaching to another arm coming from the same anchor point as the yoke.
With the bottom of the shock passing through the yoke and the adjustment screw obscured no screwdriver that I own is going to access that screw.
I might add that I have exactly the same setup on my 1200Sport but the screw is clear of the yoke that the bottom of Sachs passes through so no problem.
I tried to add a diagram from the workshop manual but it wouldn't cooperate.

Anyhoo, my problem is what to do?  It's a bugger of a setup but I'm wondering how I can adjust the rebound for heavy loads - I have not loaded up the panniers yet.
Obviously, I can unbolt the end of the yoke to access the adjustment screw but will I then will I have all sorts of problems getting that to bolt together again due to the resistance from the shock?

Any sane advice would be appreciated.
 

[ChuckH]

Interesting question.  I currently have mine on the center stand up on the lift, changing tires, so I can see your problem -- the adjustment screw is pretty well hidden by that yoke.  The hand written 'sticky' in my Owners Manual says I've got the rear shock pre-load at 20 clicks and the damping at 22 clicks, so I've obviously made some adjustments to that rebound screw.

I expect that was done with the yoke disassembled, at least on one end.  Early in the life of my '12 NTX there was a recall on one of the lower suspension pieces, so I had it apart a couple of times.  During one of those times I probably made that adjustment.

Hope this helps. 

[poorBob]

Would it help to load the suspension?

As I recall, when GuzziSteve dialed mine in, he had me sit on the bike, made adjustments, get off the bike, get back on, made another adjustment and it was - and is - perfect.

I guess my question is would having someone sit on the bike enable you to reach the adjustment screw...

[tazio]

use a tie~down. cinch bike suspension down to expose said screw..

[leafman60]

Ditto



Just removing the bike from the centerstand may do the trick.

Before setting the rebound, if you back off the spring preload (big knob) a bit, the suspension will sag more to help reveal the rebound screw.  After setting the rebound, crank the preload knob back to spec.

[leafman60]

By the way, congratulations on realizing the existence of suspension adjustment!

Most people ignore suspension settings. 

Most of the bikes I see have suspensions set way too soft with too little sag and dampening.

People spend great time and money on horsepower but ignore their suspension which is equally important to proper performance.


.

[ChuckH]

.....Just removing the bike from the centerstand may do the trick. ...

I thought about this all the way through my exercise class this morning.  Came home and took the bike off the center stand and, with both wheels on the surface of the lift, the screw is fully exposed.

Good for you Leafman.

[toma nova]

I was faced with the same challenge - backed off all the preload, on the center stand, etc.

Then I was at a track day and had a suspension guru look at my settings.  He glanced at the shock rebound on the left side and quickly moved to the right side where he had unobstructed access to the adjustment screw!

I have not verified this myself as his settings have been a great improvement.

Tom

[Wayne Orwig]

use a tie~down. cinch bike suspension down to expose said screw..

I just get my wife to sit on the bike. 

[leafman60]

I was faced with the same challenge - backed off all the preload, on the center stand, etc.

Then I was at a track day and had a suspension guru look at my settings.  He glanced at the shock rebound on the left side and quickly moved to the right side where he had unobstructed access to the adjustment screw!

I have not verified this myself as his settings have been a great improvement.

Tom

My '12 NTX has the rebound screw only on the right-hand side.  I cannot remember seeing any shock with a dampening screw on both sides of the shock.


.

[kenebar]

My '12 NTX has the rebound screw only on the right-hand side.

Yeah, my bad I was coming at it from the front and confused left and right - it was just the dementia talking.