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Stiff Speed

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2002 2:51 pm
by Dale512
My Speeds suspension feels really stiff.

Could anyone recommend a good suspension set-up for the stock shocks? Im around 150lbs, I like to trailride & hit some smaller jumps.

Thanks

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2002 3:30 pm
by autox7
My suspension used to be really stiff also. How long have you had the quad? The longer that you have it, the better it will feel. It takes a long time for the suspension to get fully broken in.

Also, check your front a-arms to make sure that they are not binding. Some people have had this problem from the factory.

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2002 3:30 pm
by Cannibal440
I noticed that all of the a-arm bushings in my cannibal were pretty dry. I lubed them and the front suspension seemed to become more responsive to small bumps, roots, etc. Your fronts are adjustable for preload only, so try softening the preload. together these things should help. If not you can always have the front shocks revalved, resprung for your weight.

The rear suspension on my bike was way too stiff also. I backed off the compression about 4 or 5 clicks from the factory setting, and I took out about 10 clicks from the rebound. I found this to work much better. I weigh about 185. And now it seems pretty good. Chances are, the rear is set up too stiff on yours too.

Just write down the current settings on the rear shock by closing the adjusters all the way, counting the clicks as you go. This way you can always return the bike to the current set up if you end up with really un- desireable results.
Hope this helps.

Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2002 5:47 pm
by LapTraffic
I did the same on my Cannibal, Im 220 and the suspension would about pitch you off the bike, I took 4 click out of the compression and about 7 out of the rebound, it sticks a lot better now. The fronts are acceptable, Ive learned to live with them, but I will eventually upgrade them to something more adjustable.

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2002 12:41 pm
by cannondale27
Guy 432 is right about the binding.The solution is to take a little bit off the side of the nylon bushing.I did it on a bench grinder just loosening up the bolts will cause the metal sleeve to spin which will dig into the aluminum frame.The newer quads have a flange on the bushing which should help this but the a-arm should pivot on the sleeve not the bolt.