Twin Shock Spring adjust?????

[hawaii-rider]

Question:
I have an 83 Husky XC500 that I am racing Vintage MX with.

Does anyone know of a "home" method of compressing the rear Ohlins ITC springs on the shocks so I can increase the pre load?
(compress the springs so I can remove the wire clips, increase pre-load and reset)

Just looking for a kewl Mcgyver rig for the house that I can use/build employ?

Thanx

HR

:usa:

 

[Picklito]

Ya, this is a tricky one.

Have someone sit on the bike while you tie the spring coils together. You don't need much. Rope or really large zip ties work. Put one on each side of the spring so it stays roughly straight. Then get off the bike and put it on a stand. Pull the bottom C-collar off, so the springs drop down, move the clip.

 

[hawaii-rider]

Nice...
that will work.

Another forum (vintage yahoo group) I posted the question there as well and I got a response of simply remove the shock, put it upside down in a vice
Large screwdriver in the notch in the bottom plate, and against the bottom shock collar and leverage against the spring a bit until you can remove the collar/bottom plate.

I tried it last night, worked like a champ.

I like the rope method, doesnt require me to remove the shocks..

Thanx

HR

:usa:

 

[Picklito]

That's funny. I actually do the "remove and pry" method most of the time, but figured that for some reason that wasn't working for you! As long as you got it done...

 

[hawaii-rider]

hey
I will try anything and I love your idea for the track etc.

problem is, after I got the springs off, I need stiffer springs.....
I was at full pre-load less one clip.

Great...

need phat butt springs...


HR

:usa:

 

[Picklito]

Well if it makes you feel any better, you don't have to be very big to be too big for the stock Husky springs. They're pretty soft. But if you are running THAT much preload, you'll really like the stiffer spring with less. I think part of the ITC theory was to take the blows mostly in oil. Good idea, but I think they went just a wee bit far. Almost everybody ran the stiffer spring on the 83/84... and then it really works well.

 

[hawaii-rider]

The stiffer springs were "out of stock" in the US, so they are in bound from Sweden, have a set on hold.

last race (my first on the XC) granted the suspension was wayyyyyy too soft, but the action good. I at least made sure the Nitrogen in each side was to spec and the same, glad I did too....right shock had 80psi, left had 50.
not good, so very not good, but we are solid now.

Just need them phat butt springs!


:usa:

 

[mattskn]

Ya, this is a tricky one.

Have someone sit on the bike while you tie the spring coils together. You don't need much. Rope or really large zip ties work. Put one on each side of the spring so it stays roughly straight. Then get off the bike and put it on a stand. Pull the bottom C-collar off, so the springs drop down, move the clip.

Nice tip... thats going to be alot easier than the ratchet strap I was using..

 

[Picklito]

What is the nitrogen spec for these models? 81/82 old style piggybacks, and 83/84 ITC piggys?

 

[hawaii-rider]

What is the nitrogen spec for these models? 81/82 old style piggybacks, and 83/84 ITC piggys?

185 PSI in each can.

If they are off that amount, which if you havent checked them then they most likely are off and the action sucks

if there is a 40-50 PSI + difference between the two, the girl will kick sideways in the rough = Dirt Dart Time.


HR

:usa:

 

[97brad]

Where is the best place to get new springs for the 84 shocks