Fz6 sitting low

[subaron]

Today I noticed that the bike seemed lower. Both my feet touch the floor comfortably toe to heel. Up until last week while sitting on the bike I could not quite touch my heels to the floor with both feet, unless I moved closed to the tank and stood up.

In fact, I realized this, when I parked my bike at the regular place on the slanted part of the driveway it started to fall. I thought I did not engage the kick stand properly and same result.

This weekend I went riding and rode over a lot of bumpy and rough roads. I was wondering how to check the rear shock or shock spring to see if something is not right. I did not see any fluids from the rear shock.

Could the rear shock have changed the SAG setting due to the bumpy ride? Anyone else experience this?

 

[turbid]

well yes the shock could have gone bust. What mileage is the bike? just try to check it tho either through a mechanic or someone knowledgable, as these things aren t cheap to replace!

 

[YZF73]

Sounds very strange to me that the rear suspension would deteriorate at such a fast rate, suspension springs do tend to lose their rate/stiffness over a long period of time, normally many years but this tends to give a slow drop in ride height over time, nothing like your experiencing.


Firstly, is the rear tyre inflated to the correct pressure? Insufficient air pressure would cause the rear ride height to reduce, causing the bike to sit more vertically on its side stand as you have experienced, well worth checking that you don't have a puncture.

The second, and most likely option in my opinion is that your preload adjuster has jumped positions, well worth checking out.

Another option is that you have broken the spring, not normally seen on motorcycles but still possible, worth having a look for this if the preload adjuster hasn't moved.


Hope this helps,

Yamahaboyz

 

[ebster1085]

I agree with the above. The two most likely culprits is low rear tire pressure or that the preload adjuster was bumped down a setting or two.

Check those and report back.

 

[FinalImpact]

well yes the shock could have gone bust. What mileage is the bike? just try to check it tho either through a mechanic or someone knowledgable, as these things aren t cheap to replace!

In this case the shock absorber or dampening device is just a holding fixture for the spring. Meaning after a few seconds the spring will take its setting based upon the load it has.

Push down and pull up on the bike several times and confirm the suspension is not sticking. If the Tire pressure is good and the pre-load didn't move (I find this unlikely unless you loan your bike out), then I'd get a good look at the rear spring and consider pulling the front springs out to be examined.

If everyone checked the sag on their bike when new'ish, it would provide a good reference point for situations where the springs (3X) are suspect of going limp.

FWIW: W/out gear I weigh about 186lbs and the front sag on the OEM springs was 42mm or there abouts. The rear was 29mm on the center position.

Personally I'd be more suspect of the front springs but the back you can do a quick visual check and confirm no coils are broken. The front will require disassembly.

Do a search for checking/setting sag or glance over this. . . You'll get the basic idea. http://www.600riders.com/forum/fz6-...t-ever-r6-forks-rides-so-nice.html#post463749

 

[subaron]

Didn't get a chance to check the bike till now. The front tire was about 3 psi low at 30 PSI. The rear tire was fine. The rear shock seems to be fine visually and the front forks do not appear to have a leak. I inflated the front tire.

There is definitely improvement in height. But it still feels like it used to stand a little higher. Could just me in my head at this point. Thanks for the pointers.

I will make a note of the SAG when I can get a couple of my buddies and a measuring tape to gather at the same place simultaneously.

 

[FinalImpact]

Didn't get a chance to check the bike till now. The front tire was about 3 psi low at 30 PSI. The rear tire was fine. The rear shock seems to be fine visually and the front forks do not appear to have a leak. I inflated the front tire.

There is definitely improvement in height. But it still feels like it used to stand a little higher. Could just me in my head at this point. Thanks for the pointers.

I will make a note of the SAG when I can get a couple of my buddies and a measuring tape to gather at the same place simultaneously.

Free Beer and Poker Chips usually help that cause! Although my son and I did mine np as did me and another friend on his Brutale.