I'm impressed to see such a small viewcount on this video series. Especially since most people watching yours and Everide's videos (even halfthrottle's and rohoneck's?) have somewhat the same interests, etc... just goes to show *how much* people overlook the suspension. This is invaluable information here... thanks MrDuhfactor!
This is a great thing you are doing for Mr. Everide. I am new to the world of motorcycles having just bought a KLR650. These videos are going to help me get a better understanding of how to set up my bike. Thanks!
This video is amazing! Believe it or not, I rode my stock DRZ SM (with dirt wheels) 12,000 miles across Africa (which was after 2 years of commuting), and still ride the damn thing 3 years later. I've never touched the shock! I bet I touch it and it falls apart.
Next thing you know you're like KUKUFEEFEEKUKUFEEFETATAAW! hahaa! Now back to serious mode :) More weight?! Are you making my bike a Fatty McGee? Man I have said it many times but you guys are so awesome. This makes me so stoked! Hi Mrs DuhFactor!!! Thanks for looking out for me! Can you make sure it doesn't end up pink? ;) 10:20 = mind blown! This bike is in such good hands right now!
Absolutely man, I have yet to tear into shocks, it's something I've thought about several times in the past though. So I'm very much looking forward to you guys getting in there. I suspect my sled is about ready to have the shocks rebuilt.
Thank you so much for this series good sir... I've watched these videos a few times and I'm almost ready to start messing with my suspension...all I know is that it is way to soft. I sure wish there was a MrDuhfactor near Reno, haha! Again, thank you!
I thought about asking you earlier what you liked/didn't like about your suspension, but then I knew you would be onto us, so I decided to close my trap :)) Ha Ha. We may still have to fine tune if it's not ideal for you, and we can always go back if you don't like it my friend.
@mrduhfactor, I love watching this series! I'd like to take you up on your offer to provide the shim stack specs, shock spring weights, and clicker settings for front and rear. Gonna dive in soon to my 2002 DR-Z 400E, puke yellow! I'm 175 lbs, ride a lot of rocky forest service roads and Idaho single-track, occasionally load up with up to 25 lbs of gear. Thanks to you and Rojoneck!
We're going to do the best we can, sometimes you make the best educated guess on valving, then try it out and find it to be too soft or too firm and then need to take it apart again to make changes again. The idea is though, that you can do this yourself and dial it in just the way you like it.
Some interesting stuff MrDuhfactor! I am very curious about the shock builder's bible you have sitting there, it'll be interesting to see where it leads you during this process.
Good explanation of compression damping adjustment on DRZ but then what adjust the rebound damping? And what about the adjuster on bottom??! I’ve been diddling with mine for months. Very frustrating actually.
The bottom screw is the rebound adjustment. Even though its a rebound adjustment, it actually controlls compression a bit too. Always set rebound first on the rear shock, the compression after. I have a lot of videos on my channel about how to do this, brouse around and Im sure you'll find them. Good luck!
I’m a intermediate 6’3” 220 pound 2005 DRS400 rider. What stock Showa compression and rebound settings would you recommend for woods and rocky fire roads? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Ps: I already adjusted the rear shock spring sag to 100mm. Thanks
do you need to remove the rear shock to adjust the preload? I have an 03 drz400e which was not taken care of very well and after many separate issues have gotten to the suspension. I'm on the heavy side at 230 lbs pre gear and the bike sags significantly so I realize I need to adjust it however I'm not sure where to start. I did notice I have a different spring color which I'm not sure is stock (red). my guess is the preload first then low speed compression, and the rebound and high speed after I've ridden it some with those changes. trail riding at beginner/intermediate skill and pace.
Matthew Way Hey buddy, you can adjust the preload with the shock still on the bike, it is tight, but very doable. You'll want to tighten the preload spring collar until your bike sags around 100-105mm at the most for a DRZ (lots of videos on YT that go over how to set your "sag") Then, adjust your rebound first, then low speed compression, then high speed compression. Later on in this DRZ playlist, we take EveRide out and help adjust his clickers, which may be of some help. The DRZ is a fantastic bike, good choice!
I've had some issues with the carb, valve cover bolts and countershaft sproket/nut coming off. hopefully the suspension is in better shape and just needs adjusting. you're up pretty late/early didn't expect an answer for a day or two but I do appreciate it
Matthew Way You too buddy! Cant sleep...lol It might be a good idea to see if you have any leaking around the shock shaft. If you do, and the bike springs right back up quickly after a big hard push down on the seat, it may need a rebuild, but those shocks are pretty hardy.... good luck!
thanks I'll check that out. if I can ever get this thing up to speed the plan is to start doing 1-5 day adventures on it , hopefully Moab this fall or next spring when my trails close down.
Is the little screw on the inside compression and the bigger outside part that you turn with a socket is rebound? Or vice versa? I'm so confused. And do you have to adjust the outside portion before you adjust the inside portion or vice versa? Because if you adjust the inside the little screw first and then you adjust the outside won't that make the inside adjust however you're adjusting the outside?
The outer bolt on the upper part of the shock is high speed compression, adjust that first (see adjustment videos on this channel - KTM 990) then adjust the inner small screw at the top (inside the bolt) for low speed compression. The bottom screw is for rebound. Yes, if you adjust the outer bolt on the top, the inner screw will also turn with it......
I ride a DRZ400SM. What should my compression and rebound settings be when carrying a passenger? I weigh 125 lbs and my passenger might vary between 100-150 lbs.
Great video ! My drz400 shock is way too stiff . I tried to turn that screw but it doesn’t go either way. The screw is stuck...do you know what might be the reason ? Thank you
It may just be corroded from not being turned in a while. Spray some kroil, or other penetrating oil on the screw every day for a fee days, and try again with a large screwdriver.
@@MrDuhfactor I managed to get that screw unstuck and even tho I go maximum towards the soft side , it’s still rock hard. Any idea what might be the reason?
great video. if this is your man-cave, where's the big screnn TV, the fridge, couch....etc. mrrojoneck was a lookin' a little peakish. you should feed him.....lol
weighting 135lbs and having no extra gear on the bike, doing a mix between on and offroad can i click the front and rear compression adjusters all the way out and dial it in from there if its too loose? or is all the way out way too soft onroad for anyweight?
@@MrDuhfactor yeah the adjusters make a pretty tiny difference in the grand picture im assuming, just didnt wanna be getting onto the front brake and have the bike be diving to china but ill back them off for sure, lost owner had about 100lbs on me and right now its beating the life out of me offroad
Can you help me out, i have just changed my spring to a 6.0, with all up weight, riding gear etc 125kg (276pound ) on a 2013 DRZ400E.. Previously @ 250mm preload (247mm is reccomended MAX ) 620mm on Stand ( rear wheel up ) 590mm on Ground ( at rest ) 511mm with Rider/Gear on it = laden sag 109mm New Spring (250mm Preload ) 625mm on stand 610mm at rest 535mm with Rider/Gear Laden Sag = 90mm Do i need to go heavier?
G-out? I've only heard desert racers/riders use that term, but wasn't able to google and find the answer. Gully washout? Never ridden in the desert. Anybody can answer. Thanks! And thanks for ALL your videos! I've used the KLR stuff on my own bike.
+Jeff Cobb Hey buddy! A G-out is really nothing more than a swale or place where there isn't a large bump, but a trough or revene that you ride down in, and immediately ride back up and out. It is such that as you ride through an area like that fast, your bikes suspension will compress gradually and with great force, but not fast like hitting a big bump at speed.
I just got a drz400s. I was looking to stiffen up my backend and went to see where my clicker was at for low speed compression and it just keeps spinning. I can spin it forever and it never hits the end...in either direction. Is this a replaceable part? What can be done? Both my dampening and high speed compression screws/nuts hit the end and allow me to make adjustments.
Oh man bud.... sorry, this is not a frequent thing that can happen. It usually happens when a previous owner is heavy handed and forces the screw past it's end point, and ends up stripping it out. It is fixable, but I haven't had to search down this part. I'm a KYB dealer, so probably could get it for you, but you have to disassemble the adjustor screw parts. I haven't done a video on that yet. If you can be patient, perhaps I can put one together when I get in my new house, and show how to take it apart, and what the parts are. Sorry bro...
Well the fact that it's fixable is a good thing since my research yesterday said it wasn't. The suspension it's ok for now so waiting for you to do a video would be fine by me! Thanks! Really appreciate it!
Yes, you can get lowering links (which are a bit longer than stock) for it. I haven't looked for them, and not sure where to get them, but know they're available. Good luck!
Chris Arthur Im sure they do, racetech, and others. Although Im not sure why you would need to. These shocks rebuild easily, and can be modded big time.
