2014 Speed Triple Rear Suspension Preload Setting?

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by WhoMe, Jan 22, 2018.

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  1. WhoMe

    WhoMe Member

    Jan 15, 2018
    38
    18
    Alberta
    I am in process of setting my 1050 ABS model back to standard after removing a Lust Racing lowering kit that made the bike handle like a Hardly Ableson. Everything is back to normal now thanks to Ebay for the standard suspension links and the owners manual for the suspension settings.

    Just one problem, there is no setting for the preload on the rear shock, just an admonishment not to change it.

    Currently there are just four screw threads visible above the locking collar on the shock, on the images of the shocks on ebay I see anything from one to six threads showing, so that is not very useful for deciding the correct setting.

    Does anyone know what the standard setting is fro the 2011 through 2015 Speed Triple 1050 ABS model?
     
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  2. WhoMe

    WhoMe Member

    Jan 15, 2018
    38
    18
    Alberta
    Thanks, but I have the 1050 ABS version of that manual (the page you linked to is not for the 2014 model year), the only bit I am missing in the spring preload for the rear. The manual has preload for front, compression and rebound damping for front and rear, but nothing for the rear preload other than "The rear suspension unit spring pre-load is not rider adjustable. Any attempt to adjust the spring pre-load could result in a dangerous riding condition leading to loss of control and an accident"

    So because they do not want you to adjust the rear preload, the information about what it is set to as standard does not appear in the user manual or in the relevant haynes manual...
     
  3. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2015
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    Barnsley
    Pre load can, and in all probability should, be adjusted to give the right amount of static and dynamic sag according to your weight and intended use of the bike. That way the suspension is operating at the optimum level. Have a look and see if you can find a suspension specialist near you, a few dollars spent could well transform the handling for you.
     
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  4. WhoMe

    WhoMe Member

    Jan 15, 2018
    38
    18
    Alberta
    That is my plan, but before I can do that I'd like to restore it to standard settings just so I can ride it, if the roads around here ever get free of snow and ice. I test rode it at the dealer and like I said, it handled like a hardly ableson, solid in a straight line, but as soon as the bars were even slightly turned, it tried to snap to full lock, just like the old chopper style bikes used to.

    So I collected it from the dealer in a van, removed the 40mm lust racing lowering links, have reset all the suspension to standard, except for the preload which I cannot find a factory setting value for. I cannot even find a static sag measurement for the bike to set the rear preload into at least a ballpark range.

    If I can just get a standard setting for the rear preload, then I'd feel comfortable riding the bike to get the suspension set up for me, but until then I'm kind of wary.
     
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  5. youngy

    youngy Active Member

    Oct 30, 2017
    38
    28
    Peterborough
    4 sounds about right but I'd have to go and look.
     
  6. WhoMe

    WhoMe Member

    Jan 15, 2018
    38
    18
    Alberta
    #7 WhoMe, Jan 24, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2018
    Thanks, I'd appreciate that

    What I have so far for 2011-2014 models
    Front
    For Speed Triple the motorcycle is delivered from the factory with the spring pre-load set at 7 clockwise turns from the fully anti-clockwise position. (nut at top of forks)
    The motorcycle is delivered from the factory with the rebound set at 1.5 anti-clockwise turns from the fully clockwise position. (screw at top of forks)
    The motorcycle is delivered from the factory with the compression damping set at 1.5 anti-clockwise turns from the fully clockwise position. (base of forks)

    Rear
    The motorcycle is delivered from the factory with the rebound adjuster set at 1.25 anti-clockwise turns from the fully clockwise position. (at base of shock)
    The motorcycle is delivered from the factory with the compression damping set at 1.0 anti-clockwise turns from the fully clockwise position. (at top of shock)
     
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  7. youngy

    youngy Active Member

    Oct 30, 2017
    38
    28
    Peterborough
    ah just realised mine is an R...... sorry
     
  8. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2015
    3,401
    1,000
    Barnsley
    Mine's a 2015 S and it has four threads showing above the locking collar, and I haven't altered it from stock.
    I presume you've checked the tyres for uneven wear and the pressures are set correctly as both can have a drastic effect on how the bike rides. :worried:
     
  9. tcbandituk

    Subscriber

    Apr 8, 2016
    2,763
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    I'm guessing whoever did it didn't drop the front as well?
    Mind you, 40mm is a big drop, so might not have been able to drop the front enough to compensate......
    I've lowered mine 25mm rear and 20mm front, handles as well as it did std height but you do have to play with the front height to get it right.
     
  10. WhoMe

    WhoMe Member

    Jan 15, 2018
    38
    18
    Alberta
    Many thanks, and yes the tires are good (slightly squared off but good). The 40mm lowering in the rear matched to a 10mm lower in the front must have upset the steering geometry a bit.
     
  11. WhoMe

    WhoMe Member

    Jan 15, 2018
    38
    18
    Alberta
    The 2014 Speed Triple 1050 ABS model has machined forks, so the front could only be dropped about 10mm, couple that with 40mm lowering in the rear and it made for an interesting ride. But thanks to a well known yorkshireman I now have some confidence that I have reset the bike completely back to standard, so when the ice on my road melts I will be able to go for a proper test ride.

    Whoever did the lowering originally did NOT set it up right, but I benefited in the end getting a 2014 bike with less than 4000km on the clock
     
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  12. tcbandituk

    Subscriber

    Apr 8, 2016
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    Just slightly, it must have felt like

    [​IMG]
     
  13. WhoMe

    WhoMe Member

    Jan 15, 2018
    38
    18
    Alberta
    Yes, a Hardly Ableson chopper
     
  14. WhoMe

    WhoMe Member

    Jan 15, 2018
    38
    18
    Alberta
    Just reporting back, with the standard suspension links back in place, and the standard suspension settings, and now Metzeler Roadtec 01 tyres, the handling is now really sweet.
     
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  15. Bryan3R

    Bryan3R Senior Member

    Jun 22, 2018
    229
    293
    Southend, Essex, England
    #16 Bryan3R, Jul 31, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2019
    Got a 2012 R and set it back to standard settings when I got it, was still too harsh for me at 12 and half stone. comfort setting was better but still needs a bit more taking out.
     
  16. Richard Neale

    Richard Neale Active Member

    Apr 20, 2018
    156
    43
    Northwich
    You do know that preload just affects ride height and suspension travel not the firmness. That will require a different spring rate . If you want harder or softer using your adjustments you need to adjust your damping. If you change preload you will affect the sag and thus the bikes geometry . Minefield this suspension ...
     
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  17. Tricky-Dicky

    Tricky-Dicky Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2016
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    Kind of depends if the springs are set rate or progressive, if progressive preload will affect the spring rate and make for harder suspension, dampers will also be matched to accommodate this so may well be on the harsh side if there is no or little preload.
     
  18. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    6,026
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    uk

    So 4 threads showing above the locking collar then yes?
     
  19. WhoMe

    WhoMe Member

    Jan 15, 2018
    38
    18
    Alberta
    Yes, that is what everyone said and it works well. You might need to adjust it slightly to get the rear sag correct for your weight, but it is the standard as delivered setting.
     
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