Front Fork suspension confusion

[twozzie]

I was hoping to set up my suspension on my Hyper this weekend, read the manual and started in to check what settings I did have against the recomended factory settings, everything was fine until I checked the compression, the manual says 10mm. However, mine is set at zero. I tried adjusting the compression as per the manual but no matter which direction I turned I never got to see any "threads" as per the manual. I assume it's the same as any other screw/nut bolt fitment i.e. clockwise to tighten (more thread appears), anticlockwise to loosen (less thread appears).
Am I missing something?

[oalvarez]

hi there, and welcome. perhaps your confusing compression for preload (or perhaps by how it reads in the manual)? you are right in saying that compression is measured in numbers, turns, or clicks. the front forks (if fully adjustable) will offer rebound at the top of the fork tubes (small allen head) and compression at the bottom of the fork tube (on the rear it's often the reverse). preload is usually measured in millimeters, with the forks being adjusted at the top of the tubes via a hex bolt and the rear via rings (threaded) at the top of the shock unit.

hope this helps!

[freezer16801]

for standard hyper forks, rebound is a slotted screwdriver adjuster. I would go for 50 mm of sag up front and about 35 in the rear. What do you weigh in pounds?

[twozzie]

My mistake, I was indeed referring to Spring Preload adjustable via the hex bolt at the top of the suspension. Per the manual I should be able to get 10mm of thread showing but I don't get anything and am unwilling to continue to crank the bolt around in case I damage something. I should be turning clockwise to tighten to "see" the threads - right?

[Decreasing Dave]

Righty-Tighty, Lefty-Loosy

You won't see threads by turning the hex bolt in.

I never saw threads at all. I just ran out of improvement when I was turning and figured that that was all it had..........at 55mm sag.

[sbwells]

The manual is incorrect as the preload adjust is internal. So there in no visable difference in the height of the cap when turning the preload nuts.

Because the bars sit over the fork tops the adjuster needs to be internal to avoid fouling the bars.

I removed my bars to help get access to the nuts but this could be done with a ring spanner.

I backed the preload off first (turning it all the way to the left) then measured sag. Then I increased preload using a socket set turning the nuts equally on each fork leg unit I reached 50mm of loaded sag. It was original around 85mm.

[J.C.]

What I tend to do twozzie when setting up a bike for the first time, especially the forks, is wind all adjustments back to zero to begin with,( as sbwells just mentioned while I was writing this post). Then set it up completely stock according to the manual. It's a good starting point even if the bike is new.
Just wind your preload nuts all the way out until they stop, (anti-clockwise), on both tubes.
The stock preload setting on the Hyper was 3 full turns in from that zero point if I remember correctly. Always make sure you apply exactly the same settings to each tube.
On my Hyper I had mine wound in 8 full turns in from zero because I'm an heavy weight. This gave me the correct sag I wanted up front, but unfortunately made the forks a little stiff. I required new springs to suit my weight.
Apply this same technique to the rebound and compression adjusters too which if I remember correctly were 1.5 turns in from fully backed out.
This is just a basic starting point and you'll need to tweak it from there to suit your weight, and riding style.
Also, it's a good idea to keep accurate notes of what your doing. Even when returning the bike to stock settings write down how many turns it takes to get you there. This will give you an accurate indication of how the bike was set up previously.
Preload is simply used to get the sag right. Make sure to take into consideration the static sag, (bike weight), and add that to your rider sag for an accurate total.

[twozzie]

Thanks everyone

[Rikosintie]

Twozzie;
This is a great book on suspension set up and is under $20.

Amazon.com: Used and New: Sportbike Suspension Tuning

Amazon.com: Used and New: Sportbike Suspension Tuning

Michael