Dialing in Elka LT

[tfaith08]

I just got my Elka 3s in (still waiting on the DC-pro arms) and wanted to go into dialing them in with a plan.  Anyone have a method that they follow?  The guide seems like a solid procedure, but I'm new to suspension and don't know enough about it to do it properly.  Thanks in advance.

[tfaith08]

That's the most comprehensive thing that I've seen.  Thanks.

[trickedcarbine]

That is a decent break down for sure.

[tfaith08]

It still leaves a few questions though.  I know a great deal about setting car suspension, but it's kind of different when you're dealing with one rear shock, the ability to shift weight, and the fact that you're leaving the ground.

 

This is how I used to go about things:

 

Set ride height

Set camber, caster, and toe

Corner balance

Test drive

 

Set sway

Test drive

 

Set compression and rebound

Test drive

 

At the end of the day, all I was ever concerned about was grip in latitudinal and longitudinal directions.  I'm sure that a lot of these things apply, but there was no vertical considerations.  From what I'm gathering, the majority of the ATV guys are concerned more with the vertical aspect than the other 2 axises. 

 

The article provided was great, but I do still wonder how sag really comes into play.  I mean, would it be a bad thing to set the preload to have less rider sag and less compression?  Is the 25% or 30% rule an absolute must when setting sag?  I also never saw the mention of how front rebound transfers weight to the rear or how rear rebound can create rear instability under heavy braking, but I can't imagine that not being a factor.  The trade-offs between the topics that that article addresses and what I've come from are the blanks that I need filled in.

[locogato11283]

I would say that unless you're MXing this setup, I doubt you will see a ton of difference between a few clicks of compression/rebound.

 

I know DDQ probably pushes his suspension further than any of us here so maybe some direct PMs with him would be best.

 

As far as sag or ride height, set it where you feel comfortable on it. Go ride it. Make adjustments.

 

I doubt you're going to find a chart to tell you exactly where to set it because everyone uses their bikes for different things.