PhilipJ

... so I saw a post (forgot which) where someone stated that the shocks are factory set at 2 (for 150 lb rider) and should be 3 for a 200 lb rider (that would be me, and from what I've seen on the forum most of us ... maye we should start a Rebel diet subgroup!) ... is this correct, and will I really notice much of a difference if I switch from 2 to 3 ... and is there an easy way to do it without special tools?

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cagie

philip, there is a special tool you need to adjust the shock. It is a cresent shaped tool that has a little tang on one end of the cresent (the tang fits into the holes in the shock) with a handle. A strap wrench will do in a pinch but more difficult.

You can only turn the shock one direction. If you miss the setting you want you would need to go completely around until you get back to the setting you want.

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Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

shadetree

My tool kit came with that tool in it. Might check yours for it, may be one there.

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travatron4000

I'm 175lbs. My '09 came set at 2. I turned it up to 3. I live in chicago and commute daily. There are a lot of pot holes and cold patched fixes around here and the higher setting works well for me. It actually seems smoother over the rough patches and definatly more stable. I dont think you can say you weigh this much so it needs to be on this setting. You definatly dont want it bottoming out so higher for more weight/cargo/passenger. But you can adjust it for your preferance. Make an adjustment, ride around, see if it's better or worse.

Cagie, When I got the bike the guy at the shop showed me how to adjust the pre-load and he turned it both ways and I haven't had any problem turning it either way.

I got a shock adjustmet tool off ebay for $8. I've heard strapwrenches work and are easier to find. The "Shock Tool" is really just a cheap pin spanner stamped out. If you can find a pin spaner in the right size it'll work great and last a long time but a "shock tool" should run less $$$.

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PhilipJ

... thanks for the replies.

... my "toolkit" ('09) is not worth the name ... I'll think about setting her to three and see how she feels ... but I'm tempted by "if it ain't broke" etc., and I haven't experienced any problems e.g., bottoming out ...

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jax

If you get real desperate a pair of water-pump or channel lock pliers will work. Put a rag around the lower part of the shock to help stop the scratches and turn the adjuster on the shock to the setting you want.

Ride safe

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Guba

My shocks can be turned both ways. Maybe this is one of the Rebel differences between the '80's and newer ones?

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Some days beer tastes good...other days beer tastes better!

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

cagie

Hmmm, I remember them being easy to turn in one direction but not the other. I had assumed they had a step with tangs to keep the load from shifting and 'self-adjusting'. Could be wrong, I don't have shocks any more...

__________________
Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

09BlueRebel

went on EBAY and saw a bunch of different tools when i entered "motorcycle spanner"...would something like these be a good choice?

MOTORCYCLE 4 HOOK ADJ. SPANNER WRENCH 1/4" TO 6 1/4" : eBay Motors (item 360289165176 end time Sep-09-10 15:43:23 PDT)

Or should i just buy the $15 OEM tool (not included in my 09 "toolkit") from cheapcycleparts?

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cagie

you'd be better off getting the OEM one or use a strap wrench.

__________________
Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'