Just got a monster 1200R I want to check the suspension settings are as per the book in case the previous owner had fiddled with something Where do you measure the 12mm preload from? I’ve measured the spring and it’s spot on 158mm but that is with the bike sitting on the ground - is the measurement meant to be with the weight off the shock? Thanks
The preload is the spring compression from its free length, not the sag. Ie at 158mm fitted length, that would from a free length of 170mm.
Ok thanks that makes sense I’ve read other people saying the preload in the manual refers to the measurement of threads left exposed The manual is vague with where the measurements come from. Is the spring length measured on the ground or with the wheels off the ground? I will set the sag properly But want to check the bike hasn’t been altered already first.
Measure the spring length unloaded. It should be the 158mm. Threads showing will correlate with the 12mm preload, but you need to know the starting point, ie where the spring is at free length. No real point in truth. I’ve set a few up and found backing the preload off 5-8 mm, has given acceptable static sag. That’s the target, the preload is the adjustment to get there.
