Author Topic: Concours 14 suspension setup  (Read 85636 times)

Offline davidnixon

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #40 on: July 01, 2011, 12:02:50 PM »
I think there may be some confusion on the fork side of the chart. The preload is specified in mm, but at the top of the column it is labeled (from all the way OUT).  Measuring from all the way out would  give  a different measurement that simply measuring how much preload is on the spring, relative to the fork cap, as the owners manual shows.

If you follow the wording in the chart, 16mm preload from "all the way out" would actually be more preload than the 11mm figure.


I agree with you RC - I think that the wording is screwy
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Offline Fretka

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #41 on: July 01, 2011, 12:41:10 PM »
Dis ain't rocket science pholks! There are simple well documented steps to setting suspension. Yes! you can do this yourself with 2 or 3 tools and one person helping you.

Would the board collectively like a how-to thread with those who know helping those who need?

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Offline Conrad

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #42 on: July 02, 2011, 05:49:40 AM »
Dis ain't rocket science pholks! There are simple well documented steps to setting suspension. Yes! you can do this yourself with 2 or 3 tools and one person helping you.

Would the board collectively like a how-to thread with those who know helping those who need?

Yes
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Offline Gsun

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #43 on: July 02, 2011, 10:25:01 AM »
Ditto.

Offline Fearless

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #44 on: July 02, 2011, 03:30:55 PM »
I posted this spread sheet a couple of years ago. I weigh 215 lbs loaded with gear and my wife is 130 LBS. I prefer my suspension a little more on the stiff side rather than soft. I actually went to a professional to have the sag and base dampening set up. The dampening settings are also set up for aggressive riding. A lot of trial and error went into fine tuning these settings, but you will probably want to make some minor adjustments depending on your weight.

Not sure if this has been posted yet from the old site.  This was very helpful for me and will hopefully help someone else.  The difference in handling from the stock setup was drastic.......in a good way!
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Offline rcannon409

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #45 on: July 02, 2011, 04:30:12 PM »
I've tried most of the settings on the spread sheet and the comments listed on it are spot on.

Offline wally_games

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #46 on: July 02, 2011, 05:10:14 PM »
HELP!!

I was doing some adjusting on the rear preload to soften it up a tad. The spreadsheet is based on the number of clicks in, but the manual lists the "normal" settings on the number of clicks out. While trying to figure out how the two compared, the knob started to get very stiff and is now at the point that it will NOT turn by hand.

Don't want to force it, so do any of you have any suggestions on what I might have done? I guess it's a trip to the dealer for me next week.
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'11 Concours ABS (black) w/ Leo Vince carbon, heated Corbin, Garmin; TechSpec pads (gone but not forgotten)
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Offline okxd45

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #47 on: July 02, 2011, 08:41:51 PM »
I posted this spread sheet a couple of years ago. I weigh 215 lbs loaded with gear and my wife is 130 LBS. I prefer my suspension a little more on the stiff side rather than soft. I actually went to a professional to have the sag and base dampening set up. The dampening settings are also set up for aggressive riding. A lot of trial and error went into fine tuning these settings, but you will probably want to make some minor adjustments depending on your weight.

Thank you for stopping by.  I'm about the same weight and I don't think the ride is really all that rough.  But the handling is so much better.
Jeff
"Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under 't." Macbeth Quote (Act I, Scene V).
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16 NIV)

Offline gonzosc1

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #48 on: July 03, 2011, 11:57:45 AM »
HELP!!

I was doing some adjusting on the rear preload to soften it up a tad. The spreadsheet is based on the number of clicks in, but the manual lists the "normal" settings on the number of clicks out. While trying to figure out how the two compared, the knob started to get very stiff and is now at the point that it will NOT turn by hand.

Don't want to force it, so do any of you have any suggestions on what I might have done? I guess it's a trip to the dealer for me next week.

is it hard to turn in both directions or just when tightening in??  I noticed on my bike that its gets harder to turn as I turn it inward. to help with this put it up on center stand to take weight off the rear suspension.

Offline wally_games

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #49 on: July 03, 2011, 12:44:33 PM »
is it hard to turn in both directions or just when tightening in??  I noticed on my bike that its gets harder to turn as I turn it inward. to help with this put it up on center stand to take weight off the rear suspension.
It's locked up completely. Won't turn either direction. I think that it is about nine clicks out from all the way in.
Luckily that isn't too far off and I'll ride it into the shop and have them look at it this next week. It's still under warrantee.
'14 BMW 1200 GSw (red, what little there is that's not grey)
'11 Concours ABS (black) w/ Leo Vince carbon, heated Corbin, Garmin; TechSpec pads (gone but not forgotten)
'05 Yamaha FZ6, only crashed once, gone in trade; '87 Honda Gold Wing Aspencade, sold; '85 Honda Magna (700), sold; '76 Kawasaki KZ400, sold

Offline Burbs

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #50 on: July 07, 2011, 07:01:35 PM »
HELP!!

I was doing some adjusting on the rear preload to soften it up a tad. The spreadsheet is based on the number of clicks in, but the manual lists the "normal" settings on the number of clicks out. While trying to figure out how the two compared, the knob started to get very stiff and is now at the point that it will NOT turn by hand.

Don't want to force it, so do any of you have any suggestions on what I might have done? I guess it's a trip to the dealer for me next week.

UGH! My worst nigtmare! Let us know what you find out after you get it back from the shop. I'd be curious to see that caused that.

Good luck.

-Chris

Offline wally_games

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #51 on: July 07, 2011, 08:06:45 PM »
Swapped emails with the service department at Grapevine Kawasaki where I bought the bike. I was told that they've had instances where the biggest guy in their service department was barely able to turn the knob. Once they worked on it and got it to move, it continued to work fine. Evidently I'm not the only person to ever have this occur.

They told me to bring it by and they'll check it out. I'll be there noon tomorrow.

I asked what would happen if they can't turn it. They said they'd order another shock under warrantee and it would be there in about three business days.

Will keep you all posted.
'14 BMW 1200 GSw (red, what little there is that's not grey)
'11 Concours ABS (black) w/ Leo Vince carbon, heated Corbin, Garmin; TechSpec pads (gone but not forgotten)
'05 Yamaha FZ6, only crashed once, gone in trade; '87 Honda Gold Wing Aspencade, sold; '85 Honda Magna (700), sold; '76 Kawasaki KZ400, sold

Offline Conhardcore

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #52 on: July 08, 2011, 09:31:32 AM »
Swapped emails with the service department at Grapevine Kawasaki where I bought the bike. I was told that they've had instances where the biggest guy in their service department was barely able to turn the knob. Once they worked on it and got it to move, it continued to work fine. Evidently I'm not the only person to ever have this occur.

They told me to bring it by and they'll check it out. I'll be there noon tomorrow.

I asked what would happen if they can't turn it. They said they'd order another shock under warrantee and it would be there in about three business days.

Will keep you all posted.

Please do.  I bought my 11 Black C14 at Grapevine Kawasaki as well.  In fact just picked it up yesterday after it's initial 1K service.  Also had the Cee Bailey Euro WS, V&H CS1 can installed and had them remove the 2"Heli Bar risers.  Don't mean to disrupt the thread however.

Offline martin_14

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #53 on: July 08, 2011, 09:33:02 AM »
Please do.  I bought my 11 Black C14 at Grapevine Kawasaki as well.  In fact just picked it up yesterday after it's initial 1K service.  Also had the Cee Bailey Euro WS, V&H CS1 can installed and had them remove the 2"Heli Bar risers.  Don't mean to disrupt the thread however.

I do. Please post pictures of that can!  ;D
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Offline MrPepsi

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #54 on: July 08, 2011, 10:11:12 AM »
Awesome. I love it, I printed it instantly.
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Offline riverbound51

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #55 on: July 08, 2011, 02:27:56 PM »
Dis ain't rocket science pholks! There are simple well documented steps to setting suspension. Yes! you can do this yourself with 2 or 3 tools and one person helping you.

Would the board collectively like a how-to thread with those who know helping those who need?


 Thanks.  The chart is very helpful. 
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Offline Awaz

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #56 on: July 09, 2011, 06:13:26 PM »
I got a weird situation. I printed the chart and decided to try out one setting for two up. When I go to set my rear preload, I noticed I go not go all the way out from where it was currently on the bike. I thought from factory, they are set to 12 clicks from all the way out. It appears as if there was no preload at all! I could go in, like making it stiffer. Is this possible?! I did recently put muzzy's links, but did not mess with the preload. Would it cause the preload to zero our completely?

I set it to 20 clicks from all the way out. Feel a bit harsh with two up. On the front, do I have to wrench the nut all the way out before I start turning it in and measuring? Mine were at 10mm. I used the end of a dial caliper to measure and set them at 14mm.

I dunno...I was a bit surprised that my bike was at zero preload (could be a cause of muzzy installation) and 10mm on front all this time.
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Offline okxd45

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #57 on: July 10, 2011, 05:19:10 PM »
I got a weird situation. I printed the chart and decided to try out one setting for two up. When I go to set my rear preload, I noticed I go not go all the way out from where it was currently on the bike. I thought from factory, they are set to 12 clicks from all the way out. It appears as if there was no preload at all! I could go in, like making it stiffer. Is this possible?! I did recently put muzzy's links, but did not mess with the preload. Would it cause the preload to zero our completely?


I set it to 20 clicks from all the way out. Feel a bit harsh with two up. On the front, do I have to wrench the nut all the way out before I start turning it in and measuring? Mine were at 10mm. I used the end of a dial caliper to measure and set them at 14mm.

I dunno...I was a bit surprised that my bike was at zero preload (could be a cause of muzzy installation) and 10mm on front all this time.

Not sure if I'm understanding you , but to me you're saying the rear preload backwards.  You should be starting from all the way out (counterclockwise) and turning in (clockwise) 20 clicks.  Is that what you're doing and I just wasn't tracking with you or did that clear it up?
Jeff
"Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under 't." Macbeth Quote (Act I, Scene V).
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16 NIV)

Offline Awaz

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #58 on: July 10, 2011, 08:30:23 PM »
Not sure if I'm understanding you , but to me you're saying the rear preload backwards.  You should be starting from all the way out (counterclockwise) and turning in (clockwise) 20 clicks.  Is that what you're doing and I just wasn't tracking with you or did that clear it up?

I started the rear preload from all the way out and turned clockwise for 20 clicks. But I was expecting it to be already at 12 clicks clockwise from all the way out since that is the factory setting. However, mine was completely all the way out - no clicks clockwise. Also, the dampner was not at 1 1/4 turn either. It was atleast 2 turns. It just concerned me that I was riding the bike like that for a bit, but it handled ok.

So, currently, I have used the following settings from the chart.

Front:
Pre-load: 14mm
Damping: 5 clicks counter clockwise from all the way in.

Rear:
Pre-load: 20 clicks clockwise from all the way out.
Dampning: 1 1/4 turns.

I am  210 lbs and wife is about 135 lbs. And yet this setting seems harsh to me. Before I finagle with it more, I want to make sure I am not doing something wrong.
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Offline okxd45

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Re: Concours 14 suspension setup
« Reply #59 on: July 11, 2011, 09:08:40 AM »
That sounds right.  I guess I have grown accustomed to the ride.  I was wondering if this stiffer setting would cause the suspension to wear out sooner. (?)
Jeff
"Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under 't." Macbeth Quote (Act I, Scene V).
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16 NIV)