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Suspension tweaking tips - Cali Vintage

Adrian Beckham

Adrian Beckham

Tuned and Synch'ed
Joined
Aug 16, 2016
Messages
37
Location
Northallerton, North Yorkshire, UK
Hi All,

Newbie question I know but I can't find anything after searching the forum.

I mix my riding between pillion and solo work and am having the devils own job making quick changes to the suspension. Any tips on getting at the pre-load settings without having to take off the panniers? I'm thinking a cranked C spanner might give better access than the standard one in the toolkit?

Also it's not obvious where the reference point is for the compression setting. I've got it set at mid-point, but daren't change in case I'm winding one side harder and the other softer.

Thanks in advance,

Ade.
 
No easy way to adjust without removing the panniers. The stock suspension (forks and shocks) barely adequate if you are over 12.5 stone in gear. Not the answer you likely want to hear, sorry... but I do have a few options on the online Store tab above.
 
Thanks Todd, I convinced my other half that this was the perfect bike and I wouldn't need to spend any money on it :tmi:

I'm right on your limit weightwise but thankfully, apart from a slight high speed weave that I suspect is steering head bearings (thanks to this forum) I seem to be getting the settings dialled in as I want. The challenge is adjusting things without having to halfway rebuild the bike every time I want to take a passenger. I'm going to experiment with an old C spanner and see if I can make something that fits better. You do have some lovely bits of kit in your store though :mask:
 
Adrian Beckham said:
Thanks Todd, I convinced my other half that this was the perfect bike and I wouldn't need to spend any money on it :tmi:
I'm right on your limit weightwise but thankfully, apart from a slight high speed weave that I suspect is steering head bearings
Click to expand...
Heh, well. The Cali is super sensitive to suspension set up, and tires. Additionally, I recommend lowering the forks in the triples trees 20mm. This will help with stability, as will stiffer fork springs. Can't remember, does the Cal Vin have damping adjusters on the forks?
 
Yes it does. Damping on the left leg and rebound on the right.

I dropped the forks 20mm at the weekend and that definitely helped. I'm trying to make one change at a time so I know what works. Next up is ditching the steering damper. Plan is to get it as good as possible with stock kit and the forum is really helping.

Thanks again
 
Quick update, the slight weave got sorted by going over the entire bike and tightening all the bolts. Not sure what the previous owner used as a torque setting, but it seemed to be one down from finger tight.

I did find a really old and shorter C spanner that doesn't actually fit properly, but does a way better job of spinning the pre-load. Then I had the bright idea of backing the compression right off then counting the clicks on each side. All sorted and carving corners like a sports bike now :)
 
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