MAINTENANCE
The following tech tips are to help you get the most out of your suspension. Having your suspension customized for your height, weight ,ability and terrain with a professional Re-Valve at Pro Action will give you the plush and predictable ride that you are looking for. It will also give you a new found confidence that will take your riding to the next level. Contact me at my shop for pricing and more info.
COMPRESSION SETUP
On the top of the fork you will find a screw (or clicker). Next to it will have the writing S - H, meaning Soft and Hard. This is the compression adjuster. Though in some cases this is found on the bottom of the fork and the rebound is on the top - check your bike manual.
If you wind the screw in towards the 'H' (clockwise) the downward action of the fork will harden. Alternatively, if you wind the clicker out (anti clockwise) the fork will soften.
To get a good feel for the difference this can make, try winding both clickers all the way in, then go for a ride. Don't try and set any new Crusty records though... Once you have a good feel for that, try winding the clickers all the way out and compare the difference.
Make sure you don't leave them set on extreme hard, other than to get a better understanding of how it affects the bike. Long term is not good for the forks.
REBOUND SETUP
Now, on the bottom of the fork you will find the rebound adjuster. This determines how quickly the fork returns to its extended position after being compressed. Screwing the clicker in towards 'Hard' will slow the rebound speed down making it better for larger, rolling terrain or bumps.
Screwing the rebound adjuster out towards 'Soft' will increase the rebound speed, in most cases, making it better for smaller, rougher bumps.
GREASE THE LINKAGE
Clean and grease your pivot bearings to
maintain performance and minimize wear.
A properly maintained linkage will move
more freely and have less friction so your suspension will work better. A headset
that is properly adjusted and greased
will give accurate rider feedback
SETTING YOUR SAG
Your springs hold up the rider and bike so make sure you have the proper rate spring in your bike. Most bikes work best with 95-115mm of sag when the rider is on the bike. Once you have the rider sag, check the static sag of the bike without the rider.
Static Sag should range between
25-40mm. If the static sag is less than
25mm you need a stiffer spring and if
it is greater than 40mm you need a softer spring. Contact Pro Action for your proper spring rate. We can Install at great pricing.
BLEED THE AIR
Bleed the air out of your forks at the beginning of the day before you
ride. Always bleed the forks with your
bike on a stand and your front wheel off
the ground. Air expands with heat and
altitude so it is important to start
your ride with no excess pressure.
CHAIN TENSION
Adjust your drive chain on a stand with
30-40mm of play so it will not bind
when the rear suspension is fully compressed. Running a longer wheel base will offer more straight line stability while a shorter wheelbase offers improved turning. Running the axle forward lessens the leverage on the shock and stiffens the initial suspension movement. If you want softer suspension in the beginning of the travel, you can move the rear axle rearward to increase leverage on the shock. Gearing you bike higher with less teeth on the back sprocket will give for better traction because of lower engine speed.
SUSPENSION SERVICE
Changing your fork and shock oil every 30-40 hours of ride time is very important. You should also replace wear parts like bushings and seals every 40 hours. At this point your Oil breaks down and gets contaminated over time causing your suspension to fade when it heats up. Worn bushings are also a cause of leaky seals and friction because of excess play. Most modern dirt bikes specify the use of 5WT fork oil. Shocks run at higher temperatures and use lighter 3WT oil so they don't fade and breakdown as quickly. Our Fork and Shock Service includes a full tear down. We thouroughly go through every part, clean it and get you back up and running with fresh suspension.
INSTALL FRONT WHEEL
Install your front wheel squarely with the forks before tightening the axle pinch bolts and axle nut. Improper installation will cause the forks to bind and wear quickly. Begin by tightening your axle nut first then torque the left side axle pinch bolts to spec. Make sure your right fork leg will slide easily along the axle before tightening. Compress the fork to set the leg and tighten the right pinch bolts when you are sure the fork leg is not binding and in it's natural position.
TIRE PRESSURE
Begin by making sure your bike has
the proper tire pressure so it will handle
it's best. A bike with too much air in the
tires will be harsh and deflect off obstacles while an under inflated tire will distort under load and not give good rider feedback.
Use 11-13 psi to prevent flats. Heavy tubes and mousses will greatly affect your bikes suspension so aim for the lightest possible set up you can without risking punctures. An 18" rear wheel also has more rider comfort than a 19”.