Elka Suspension MOTORCYCLE SERIES - Manual (Page 10)

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> A D J U S T M E N T S 8
E) Adjusting the shock
E.1 SUSPENSION DEFINITIONS, SETTINGS AND RULES-OF-THUMB
RIDE “FEEL”
As a basic rule, your suspension should make full use of its travel under normal riding conditions- i.e.
the softer the better, until the suspension wallows or bottoms out, when more stiffness is called for.
Given this principle, here are some simple explanations of how to get the most possible enjoyment
and efficiency from your Elka shock absorber.
Preload and sag have a major influence on the “feel” of your motorcycle, the smoothness of the ride
and reaction to hitting bumps. You may make small changes to the factory settings (Read the infor-
mation below first!) to see what feels better for you, making sure those original settings and your
changes are written down so that you may return to original settings at any time.
To preserve comfort and ride quality when you change your riding style drastically (Load, speed,
surface), you should adjust preload and sag to optimise efficiency for the new conditions. See the
following paragraphs for guidelines regarding such changes.
PRELOAD
Spring preload is the compression applied to the shock’s spring when at rest, using the top ring and
Hydraulic Preload Adjuster if you have one on your shock. Preload is used to optimise suspension
travel when riding with varying loads and riding style. Preload is also used to adjust the firmness of
the suspension.
SAG
Suspension sag represents the change in vertical height at both end, between the fully extended
suspensions and when you are sitting on the bike in riding position. As a rule, sag for a street bike
should be set between 30 and 35mm (1 3/16 to 1 3/8 in.), and between 30 and 60mm (1 3/16 and
2 3/8 in) for a dual purpose machine. The great variation for dual-purpose machines is due to the
great variation in usage, from 100% street to 100% off-road with every combination in between.
Please advise Elka at order time if you plan on extreme riding on your dual purpose machine, and we
will set the sag accordingly. Sag is a critical measurement, and is normally adjusted by changing the
spring preload, within certain limits. The paragraph on setting sag will address this issue in detail.
FACTORY SETTINGS FOR SAG AND PRELOAD
The preload / sag of your Elka shock is factory-set based on your type of riding and weight, as well as
using basic knowledge such as the original factory settings and spring tension.
There may be some instances where the Elka factory settings are not ideal. You may call us to
discuss possible changes before venturing too far from the original settings.