Hi all

I want to adjust my P-650's rear shock to make it a little stiffer, but when I was looking at it it seems almost impossible to get to the area to make the adjustment. I glanced at my shop manual and it looks like they were making adjustments by taking the shock out..!!! Has anyone adjusted their rear shock preload yet and if so could ya tell me more about it...tips/hints/etc

thanks

 

You're right it is hard as heck to get to. I did mine and can offer you these tips.
Find a piece of wood long enough to wedge under the rear rack and fully extend the rear suspension.
Use a drift punch to break the locknut loose. It's tighter than Richards hatband!
The cheesey little spanner they give you will work but it will not sit squarely on the ring because of clearance issues. It must be used kind of offset. Because of this wear a pair of gloves to save your knuckles when it slips off.
Re-set the lock ring with the same drift punch. Be carefull not to slip and booger the threads.
I weigh 160 lbs and adjusted mine down about 1/2" from original and it seems almost perfect. Maybe just a tad on the stiff side.

 

LOL "when it slips" - thats reasuring, hehe. So you made your suspension stiffer or softer..? I weight like 290 and where its at is fine, but I'd like a little bit stiffer ride...I am also going to get the progressive front suspension...150.00 is so worth it. I think tonight when im in my using the library, er I mean bathroom, LOL I'll go through my service manual (the big manual not that cheesy one that comes with it the 650) and see if maybe I can take off some plastic and get to it easier...Maybe if I take out the storage compartment under the seat I can get to it easier..? We'll see....well if anyone else wants to throw in their 2 cents about doing the preload I'd love to hear it...thanks

 

I have also tightened my rear suspension. I used a long pry bar and hammer to break the lock nut loose. After the lock nut is loose you can just grap the spring from behind the atv and tighten it. But you do have to jack the atv up so the rear swing arm is free hanging so the tension is off the spring. After I was done I did not mess with tightening the lock nut back up. The spring is always putting pressure on the adjustment ring, so it should never move. Hope this helps!

 

Down meaning: adjusted ring towards bottom of shock, stiffer. I looked at removing plastic and until you remove the fuel tank you still can't get to it. In retrospect I probably could have removed the shock about as easy as what I went through.

 

Can the top shock mount bolt/nut be taken off from topside? (under the seat). If so this might be easier than busting your knuckles. Something to consider.

 

lackdog--- Have you tried putting "real" tires on the frt. of your bike yet? The "P-650 push" in turns is gone on mine since installing wider offset wheels and Spider Trax tires(26X9.5X12&quot The track width is 2" TOTAL wider with the ITP "C" series cast al. wheels. Nice set up for my style of riding and terrain.