Suspension adjustment

I rode my 82 750 Seca (with 17000 miles)for the first time today after getting carbs, brakes and tires done, and overall I'm pleased. It takes longer to warm up than my CX500, but once it does, the engine has a wider powerband, and the bike is more stable and comfortable.

The one part I'm not happy with is the rear suspension--large road lumps seem much harsher than on the CX, particularly some of the frost heaves we have here. I'm a relatively inexperienced cyclist, and the CX that I'm comparing to needs shocks.

I'm 6"1 and 260 lbs. Preload was all the way low, and I suspect I was bottoming. The other adjustment at the top of the shock (rebound?) was set to 4, but I think that was actually zero--the knob will turn from 4, 1, 2, 3 and then back to 4 where it stops, and was on the 4 below 1. Tomorrow I plan to try them on the second highest setting for preload, and the knobs set to 3. Am I likely on the right track?

 

The chances that your dampers on your shocks still work well after 17000 miles and 29 years is slim to none.

The preload will work, though, but will only make it harsher, as there is not compression or rebound damping.

At that height and weight (not far from mine) you need to be up on the preload. I easily bottom out with my wife on the back, but don't generally do so solo...on the 3rd setting for preload.

 

As I said, my other bike is an 81 CX500. It has 38,000 miles and a need of shocks.

Comparing the two bikes, the initial hit is considerably harsher on the Seca, but the CX bounces a lot more afterwords. In the driveway bouncing on the back end of both bikes seems about the same--although I do notice a slurping noise as the Seca rises that isn't there on the CX.

 

the top adjuster is for compression 1 softest.
the slurping sound is air going through the valves so that shock is basically shot

 

The "slurping" noise in the front forks is the anti-dive if it hasn't been blocked off yet.