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NC700x Suspension Adjustment for Pillion Riding

shithotsax

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Hi guys,

I'm absolutely loving riding this bike solo, just trying to get our pillion set up a bit smoother. Our combined weight is about 160kg, so occasionally the back of thr bike hits dips pretty hard.

Does anyone know what tool I need to adjust the rear shock to stop it bottoming out when we're riding two-up? I can't see anything that looks like it does the job in the bike's original toolkit...

Am I right in thinking I need to back the preload off to increase the height?

Thanks y'all
 
Not an easy thing to do tbh, and if you get it done I have no doubt You won't be in a hurry to undo it for solo riding. As such You might need to decide which type of riding You need to do the most and leave it on that setting. I used a combination of C spanners with extensions that I found in my tool box. The lockrings are extremely awkward to get to and there were a couple of bruised knuckles in the process.
To increase the height for pillion work You need to do the total opposite of what You suggest, and increase the preload. Ideally the best solution for a rider who alternates between solo and two up riding is to replace the shock with one that has a remote preload adjuster or at least one that is easy to adjust in seconds.
 
You can use a hammer against a long punch, drift, or flat blade screwdriver and tap against the locking ring. Once the locking ring is free use the tool to tap against the preload adjuster to compress the spring and increase preload. The harshness felt in the rear suspension is the shock compressing fully and bottoming out. Increased preload raises ride height and increases the amount of usable suspension travel before bottoming.
 
Not an easy thing to do tbh, and if you get it done I have no doubt You won't be in a hurry to undo it for solo riding. As such You might need to decide which type of riding You need to do the most and leave it on that setting. I used a combination of C spanners with extensions that I found in my tool box. The lockrings are extremely awkward to get to and there were a couple of bruised knuckles in the process.
To increase the height for pillion work You need to do the total opposite of what You suggest, and increase the preload. Ideally the best solution for a rider who alternates between solo and two up riding is to replace the shock with one that has a remote preload adjuster or at least one that is easy to adjust in seconds.

Thanks Griff, that's really useful! I'll have a look at some suspension options longer term...
 
You can use a hammer against a long punch, drift, or flat blade screwdriver and tap against the locking ring. Once the locking ring is free use the tool to tap against the preload adjuster to compress the spring and increase preload. The harshness felt in the rear suspension is the shock compressing fully and bottoming out. Increased preload raises ride height and increases the amount of usable suspension travel before bottoming.
Cheers Dave, I'll give it that a go for the time being!
 
The spring is another issue that may need addressing ; }
 
I bought a Wilbers rear shock with adj rebound damping and remote adjustable preload for our two up trips. Best mod on my bike. The shock on the 2012 is lacking to begin with and Honda says it is non-adjustable. (Even though it has a threaded collar.) Now I just reach down and give it a few cranks when I'm loaded up and she's ready to mount.
 
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