how to adjust 83 shock?

[tremalzo]

The restoration of my second xz550 is almost finished. The bike has a 83 shock I bought on eBay.

I don't know how to adjustment this shock. Should I start whit the adjustment at the bottom of the shock or the one at the top?  

Thanks,
Frans

[Lucky]

one is preload (the metal one) start with it in the middle, the other is dampening (with the black plastic ring) start with it on 2 or 3.  adjust as you see fit for additional weight of the rider, passenger, bags, fairings, etc.

[tremalzo]

What does the damping do?

[motoracer8]

 I think it adjusts the rebound, it does'nt make much difference on mine no matter what the settings are.
Rule of thumb, more spring preload, the more rebound damping you need.   The 83 shock may be better than the 82, but not by much.

  Ken G.

[h2olawyer]

As Lucky said, the upper plastic ring adjusts the rebound damping.  It controls how the shock returns to its extended length.  The 'not much difference' was like night & day for me.  Not really noticeable until you get into washboards in a corner.  The 82 tends to bounce a lot.  The 83 smooths it out.  Before i swapped my 82 shock for an 83, the rear suspension was the weak link.  After the swap, the forks are now the problem.  A few pounds of air in the (83) forks helps, but even with the brace, I notice a lot of flex and lateral 'wobble' (for lack of a better word).

There are better rear shocks out there and easier to find than an 83 unit.  I just wanted to point out that I found a huge difference between the two and the 83 is indeed a much improved shock.

H₂O

[jasonm.]

H2O is absolutely correct. I had an '82 with only 5k miles. And it bounced wildly when hitting rough roads. The magazines of the day confirmed the '83 shock was avast improvement. "on #1 or #2 is the same as an '82's rebound. 3 thru 5 are an improvement". Then I got an '83 shock...great simple cure. OKAY, you need to adjust the damping based on your weight also.  In the manual they tell you to view the adjuster's numbers from the right side. Gotta get on your knees." remove right side cover". Note the numer clearly visable above the valve cover. If not sure what number you are on. Just turn it to #5 the back it down a notch or 2. And use long screwdriver. Or lift the tank and adjust. I have mine on #4 rebound. I am 190#.

[Extent]

The method for setting the rebound that I remember is pretty simple.  Have someone hold the bike upright by the bars, then push down hard on the tail.  The suspension should take about 1 second to return to it's full extension.  Bigger numbers = slower return.  I don't remember where I read about this, probably one of Kevin Camerons articles.

If you have too much rebound damping your suspension will pack down over a series of bumps and you'll be left with essentially a hard-tail.  Too little damping and it bounces.  If you bounce the tail of an 82 it jumps up really quick, like maybe 1/3 of a second IIRC, the 83 is noticeably softer.

[Hartless]

does anyone know where to get a decent new rear shock, possibly that adjusts a little taller (im 6'6" tall) and isnt a million dollars..?

[Rikugun]

So you want a NEW rear shock? One that is affordable. AND, one that is capable of altering the ride height. Anything else? Maybe comes with a fruit basket? Or is hand delivered by a playmate??  That's a pretty "tall" order my friend!  :D :laugh: :laugh: :D

Let me know if you do find one....I want one too....

[Hartless]

ok ,i found one , it comes with either a tropical friit mix, or mixed berry......

[tremalzo]

Thanks. Your instructions will be of help setting up the rear suspension. I expect to finish the restoration in a few weeks. Looking forward to the first ride.

[QBS]

On my '83 I like a plush ride.  Zero pre load and full (5) rebound does the trick for 25 yrs.