GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Suspension => Topic started by: CountyDown on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 06:04 AM

Title: Please help!
Post by: CountyDown on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 06:04 AM
Two weeks ago I bought a GSX1400.
It came with Hagon Nitro adjustable shocks.

All seemed great until I took my girlfriend out for a spin (she isn't big) and on a couple of bumps the rear suspension bottomed out.

I've ordered an spanner to adjust the spring.

However the  finger/thumb 10 stage adjuster on the bottom for compression and rebound doesn't have figures on it only notches. (See photo)

I've tried to move the bottom adjuster but with my tiny fingers and thumb it doesn't budget.

Does anyone have any suggestions what I could use to assist in moving it to maximum or minimum so I know what's what.

All I found from the manufacturer in relation to spring preload was that spring shouldn't be tightened more than 6 full turns from delivery. (See photo)

Does anyone know the default location of the spring rings on delivery.
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: Del on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 06:20 AM
you could try taking the weight off the rear of the bike to see if that allows adjustment - if it doesnt then a screwdriver with tape on it to try to lever them free and a few squirts of penetrating fluid

Del
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: Notty on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 06:56 AM
I have Hagon Nitro shocks and they bottom out quite often with just me riding  :bugga: Hagon suggested removing the rubber stops
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: CountyDown on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 08:08 AM
Thanks for suggestion but I actually removed the whole spring unit from bike.
I was able to turn the dial down in the - direction but not in the + direction

I
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: GSXKING on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 05:28 PM
Quote from: Notty on Tuesday, 27 July  2021, 06:56 AM
I have Hagon Nitro shocks and they bottom out quite often with just me riding  :bugga: Hagon suggested removing the rubber stops

Are they shorter than standard @Notty ?
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: grog on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 05:32 PM
Doesnt sound a very good recommendation for Hagon from either posts. Pretty stupid not having numbers on adjuster. Just my thoughts.
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: Notty on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 05:49 PM
Quote from: GSXKING on Tuesday, 27 July  2021, 05:28 PM
Quote from: Notty on Tuesday, 27 July  2021, 06:56 AM
I have Hagon Nitro shocks and they bottom out quite often with just me riding  :bugga: Hagon suggested removing the rubber stops

Are they shorter than standard @Notty ?
are you saying I am short??? yes they are an inch shorter  :rofl2:
@GSXKING
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: Mick_J on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 07:30 PM
Quote from: grog on Tuesday, 27 July  2021, 05:32 PM
Doesnt sound a very good recommendation for Hagon from either posts. Pretty stupid not having numbers on adjuster. Just my thoughts.

To be fair to Hagon most shocks don't have numbers, it's usual to have a number of clicks form fully home/out.  My Suzuki is the only one with numbers, the other four rely on the owner being able to count.
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: grog on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 07:39 PM
mjgt, no numbers is fine, surely an indication of softest to hardest is necessary. I mean a stop either way. I once had same confusion on expensive Marzocchi rear units, so hard. I threw them, fitted a different brand, so easy.
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: KoZi on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 10:23 PM
From your photo in first post, there is still a lot of place to tighten the spring - increase spring preload. Do this by turning spanner clockwise.
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: KoZi on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 10:25 PM
Quote from: Notty on Tuesday, 27 July  2021, 06:56 AM
I have Hagon Nitro shocks and they bottom out quite often with just me riding  :bugga: Hagon suggested removing the rubber stops

Very poor suggestion... 
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: CountyDown on Wednesday, 28 July 2021, 12:45 AM
Thanks for all suggestions.

This morning I tried these little grips after coming across them at the bottom of a rarely used toolbox.

They were able to grab both sides of the bottom finger/thumb adjuster. The bonus was it also adjusted the top adjuster.
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: CountyDown on Wednesday, 28 July 2021, 12:47 AM
Quote from: KoZi on Tuesday, 27 July  2021, 10:25 PM
Quote from: Notty on Tuesday, 27 July  2021, 06:56 AM
I have Hagon Nitro shocks and they bottom out quite often with just me riding  :bugga: Hagon suggested removing the rubber stops

Thanks.

I took them down a full two turns and will see how that goes.
Very poor suggestion...
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: KoZi on Wednesday, 28 July 2021, 09:12 PM
There is special tool for spring preload. Buy it, it isn't expensive.
In your option you can damage the shock spanner
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: grog on Thursday, 29 July 2021, 06:02 PM
Kozi, think he said hed ordered one. C Spanner im guessing. Used to come with similar style shocks in the past.
Title: Re: Please help!
Post by: KoZi on Friday, 30 July 2021, 02:50 PM
Quote from: grog on Thursday, 29 July  2021, 06:02 PM
Kozi, think he said hed ordered one. C Spanner im guessing. Used to come with similar style shocks in the past.

My bad  :salute: