M50 Adjustments

[Funderbird]

Suspension Rear Link-type, oil damped, 7-way adjustable spring preload-

This is what the spec web sight calls the rear suspension, the discription leads me to believe I can stiffen up the rear end. How do I do this? I don't have a owners manual so, that is out of the question. Anythoughts?

[Wrider]

Yep, you can, but it's a bit of a chore getting in there... lol
First off you have to remove the tool box cover, the tools, and the plastic piece that the tool pouch hooks into. Unscrew all of those and set them aside.
Then look through your tool pouch and find a large offset wrench with a notch sticking out of it...
Looks somewhat like the unconventional end of this


Then you're going to use that to twist the bottom collar of the spring, you'll see where the notch of that wrench will fit into the collar. Stock it's set right in the middle of the adjustment steps (I think there's 7 of them). To make the suspension harder, turn it so that the spring stop goes up a step, for softer, go down a step.

Before you put everything back on, you may want to go for a test ride just to make sure it's comfortable or to make further adjustment.

Also, it helps to have someone there lifting the rear end of the bike while you turn the collar, and they also include a breaker bar of sorts in there for more leverage...
Wrider

[Funderbird]

Forgive me, Tool box? I didn't know I had such an animal. I told you I was new to motorcycle maintenance...

Eric

[Wrider]

No problem bud!
On the left side of your bike (while sitting on it) there's a side cover with a key slot on it. Your ignition key unlocks it. Inside of there is your tool pouch. Take off the cover, take out the tools, take off the plastic piece that is underneath the tools. Then you'll be able to see your rear shock.


See that side cover right underneath the seat? That black dot on it is where you put in your key to unlock and pull off that cover, that's where your tool pouch is kept.
If you ride out here to AZ I'll be more than willing to show ya!
Wrider

[Funderbird]

I never knew...I had heard of a tool kit but I never knew it was there...On my old bike the storage kit was under the seat.

How far do you live from San Diego? Is that a pic of your bike?

Fundy

[Wrider]

Nope, I wish it was a pic of my bike! My bike is here...
http://www.putfile.com/pic/4256446
I'm in Phoenix, AZ, so according to About.com, 355 miles...
Heck of a long ride for something like that!
But you're more than welcome to head out anyway!
Wrider

[Funderbird]

nice bike, yeah i guess it is a long ride for that...thanks

[morganjp94123456]

I just put a Cobra FI2000R Chip and Vance and Hines Straight Shots!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxql8S47cIw

[Funderbird]

How much did that set you back?

[morganjp94123456]

340 incl shipping for the pipes (customcruising)

199 incl shipping for the chip (meancycles)