ok, I have been bottoming the shock way too much, and the compression adjustment is set all the way in. I need more bottoming resistance, but I don't know what to do. my shock preload is set at stock. I tried to adjust the preload, but I can't get the locking nut to move. Can someone help me out?

 

OK here is what to do, get a flat head screw driver and a hammer. Put the screw driver on to one of the tabs on the locknut and hit it until it moves (make sure you are loosening it) after that go to the other side of the ds and hit the main nut that turns the shock, keep hammering the tabs until you have turned to were you want it, then do the same thing to tighten the lock nut.

 

also jack up the bike at the engine guard(skid plate) to get as much tension off the spring as possible. good luck

 

I did just what mxzx said. But now the nut looks kind of beat up. Is there a better way?

Bat

 

get the correct spanner wrench for the shock adjusters.

 

I had to have Hightower hold my shock while I hit the nut with a screwdriver and hammer. Be careful when hitting the nut. I hit mine so many times that the line that supplies oil from the reservoir loosened up and I lost some oil and pressure.

 

My nut does not want to come loose. I beat it so hard, the metal part of the screwdriver popped through the back of the screwdriver handle (cheap screwdriver) when I get the nut loose, do I loosen the preload, to have more travel, or tighten it?

 

you can't get more travel, all you are going to do is set the correct sag (ride height) of the rear shock.
so with you sitting on the bike total sag should be about 3 inches(1/4 of total shock travel), that is from full shock extension(measured at rear of the bike). so in your case(bottoming out) i'm assuming that you have too great of sag. therefore you need to adjust the adjusters toward the spring to raise the height(greater spring tension). which in return will prevent you from bottoming out.

 

one other thing. in case you can't see very well, there are two adjuster nuts. they may be aligned making you think there is only one. back off the top one first and go from there.

 

Just a hot tip here,

Once the lock nut is loose just turn the spring with your hands and it will turn the nut. Its alot easier then beating the crap out of the adjuster nut which only moves slightly then springs back some every time you hit it [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img].
Its even easier when the rear end is lifted (so the shock in fully extended).