BajaRon Shock Adjusters

[bmwlarry]

Install is done on my 2015 RT LTD. I have a bit of problems getting those darn top bolts out but managed. Building the shocks is very easy but be sure to get Ron's compressors. They make it so easy. The reinstall went seamlessly except the instructions I had - never said when to install the bottom bolts but after a call to Ron, it is done. I didn't mess with the double sticky tape at all. I used a 3/8" breaker bar and a 15mm socket. I actually used two very tiny pieces of electrical tape to hold the nut in the socket. I slid the top bolt in so about 1/8 inch of the threaded portion extended thru the bracket. The nut on the breaker bar slipped into place perfectly and the bolt was very easy to thread int the nut. I then tightened the top bolt/nut and wiggled the socket/bar just enough to get the tape to come loose.

After three rides I have found my "sweet" spot! It is three turns out (Firmer) and the rear shock is set to the fourth firmest setting. The riding was done with a full tank of gas, one up and the bike was unloaded. The front bike height started at 6 3/4". After three turns and a full tank of gas, it settled in at 7 3/4" height after riding. It looks as though every turn on the adjuster adds about 1/2 inch to front ride height.

I do have the Ron sway bar and links and I found the bar helped sway a bit on my 15 - but not as much as it made on my 11. The shock adjusters DID make a substantial difference in the corners and especially on nose dive when braking. They diid not. affect the ride characteristics in a negative manner what so ever!

Riding two up will have to wait until nicer weather.

Thanks Ron!

 

[Chupaca]

Thanks....

Good to know...we need more reports on the install and the testing. Many would like a starting point and knowing you found your sweet spot will help. well done and glad you got it all done without a hitch...:2thumbs: come on....you knew you had to hook the bottom up :roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Peter Aawen]

Hey bmwlarry, with a significant height change like that, you might want to get the camber checked on your front wheels. Unless they were really sloping in to start with, there's now a good chance that you'll find the tops of the wheels are sloping out due to the lift; & that can make for very twitchy ryding, un-predictable cornering characteristics, & adversely accelerate the front tire wear. :sour:

 

[4 MARIE]

Hey bmwlarry, with a significant height change like that, you might want to get the camber checked on your front wheels. Unless they were really sloping in to start with, there's now a good chance that you'll find the tops of the wheels are sloping out due to the lift; & that can make for very twitchy ryding, un-predictable cornering characteristics, & adversely accelerate the front tire wear. :sour:

this is ALL probably probable, love the idea of a little more ground clearance, but scrutinize those front tires for a couple thousand miles,
just to make sure nothing weird is going on. and thanks for the report.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Hey bmwlarry, with a significant height change like that, you might want to get the camber checked on your front wheels. Unless they were really sloping in to start with, there's now a good chance that you'll find the tops of the wheels are sloping out due to the lift; & that can make for very twitchy ryding, un-predictable cornering characteristics, & adversely accelerate the front tire wear. :sour:

:agree::agree::agree:, you more than likely will need a laser alignment now.

Cruzr Joe

 

[bmwlarry]

Hey bmwlarry, with a significant height change like that, you might want to get the camber checked on your front wheels. Unless they were really sloping in to start with, there's now a good chance that you'll find the tops of the wheels are sloping out due to the lift; & that can make for very twitchy ryding, un-predictable cornering characteristics, & adversely accelerate the front tire wear. :sour:

Peter, My plan is to get a alignment done in the next two weeks. I haven't had one done for 1 year or 9,000 miles. It is due for a check

 

[FieldTester]

Thanks for this good info Larry,

Glad to hear it helped with your cornering, I am having the same issue.

I plan on getting the adjusters on mine for the Spring, and maybe giving it a shot myself.

Who do you recommend as I do not see them available from the Lamonster site ?

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Thanks for this good info Larry,

Glad to hear it helped with your cornering, I am having the same issue.

I plan on getting the adjusters on mine for the Spring, and maybe giving it a shot myself.

Who do you recommend as I do not see them available from the Lamonster site ?

BajaRon

 

[FieldTester]

I thought Baja Ron only sold to dealers. Thanks, will contact them.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

I thought Baja Ron only sold to dealers. Thanks, will contact them.

No he sells retail also and he will loan you the tools needed for install.

Cruzr Joe

 

[bmwlarry]

I have an apt on Tuesday to get the alignment done. BUT - it will be 17 degrees when I ride to the dealership and maybe 27 by the time I get home!! YIKES!

 

[BajaRon]

I thought Baja Ron only sold to dealers. Thanks, will contact them.

I sell to anyone. You can always check out what I have for the Spyder by clicking on my banner ad on the HOME PAGE here at Spyderlovers.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?23928-New-sponsor-here-for-Filters-amp-Helmets

You can email me at [email protected] or call me at 423-552-3720. And, of course, you can always PM me here.

I also carry a lot of products not listed including;
Helmets
Rain Gear
Heated Gear
Cold Weather Gear

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I have a bit of problems getting those darn top bolts out but managed.

Did you put them back in reverse of the original direction? Ron suggests that and it makes it much easier to tighten them. I don't recall what wrench Ron recommends but I bought a 3/8" drive flex handle. A 3/8 drive socket is short enough with the flex handle to get into the tight space without too much trouble. As I recall when I installed mine I determined the flex handle would work better than what Ron suggests.

 

[bmwlarry]

The shocks went in the same as OEM. I did reverse the bolts on top. The problem was simply the wiggling out of the loose upper bolts. Reinstall was a piece of cake!

 

[BajaRon]

The shocks went in the same as OEM. I did reverse the bolts on top. The problem was simply the wiggling out of the loose upper bolts. Reinstall was a piece of cake!

Not to hijack this thread. But I've always gotten a great deal of satisfaction from doing my own work. And I am quite frankly surprised at how many of you not only do your own installs, etc., but you're excited by the prospect of doing it yourself. It's great to share the experience of getting there as well as the results of a job well done.

 

[HayRog]

BajaRon Adjuster install -- done!!

I'll just revive this thread with my impressions.

Install took me 3 hours from start to finish and Ron's instructions were perfect :thumbup: - thanks Ron.

No video, sorry. No way I could get a camera going as well as working on them.

As others have said previously, the top bolts were a PITA. Getting the wrench round the front end and on the bolt head was not easy, but a real learning experience .. I did re-install them backwards per Ron's instructions and the re-install went appreciably easier.

I took measurements from ground to below the bump skid and recorded them. After the Adjuster install and "zeroing" the measurements were a quarter inch higher.
Did a quick 5 miles to settle the shocks in and the measurements returned to my original recordings.

So far I've adjusted them in one complete turn and gained a quarter inch. I'll leave them there until I have more rides on them and adjust accordingly.

We have a 700 mile weekend coming up soon and I expect a lot better handling based on the feelings of the few miles today.

I'm real HAPPY

Again, big thanks to Ron for excellent instructions, and also big thanks for the "tips and tricks" from forum members who's posts I printed out and read many times before I started this install.
Garageguy -- Brian Kay -- tehrlich and bmwlarry were but a few. :2thumbs:

Oh -- thanks to Debbie (my unpaid helper) also for the Jack assistance :clap:

 

[Stumpy6Guns]

What does the "sweet spot" feel like?

No, I'm not trying to get weird. I installed the adjusters a month or two ago, and I settled at 2 turns. I have been noticing what feels like buffeting at high speed, but I think it might be a reaction to the road surface because it tends to happen at the same areas of the road. It can be disconcerting to say the least to find that you are suddenly headed for the next lane!

When the adjusters are at the correct setting, what can I expect to feel? Conversely, when they are set improperly, what can I expect to feel?

I know I need a laser alignment to put the bow on top, and I want to get it dialed in as much as I can first. The height is pretty much the same as it was prior to installing the adjusters.

 

[HayRog]

OK -- been playing with them and had 2 turns in before our ride today.

All I can say is --"OH YEAH !!"
Soaks up uneven road surfaces better and handled the twisties, at speed, like it was on rails :2thumbs: We were 2 up.

These adjusters, along with the stronger sway bar and links -- I'm quite impressed.

Had almost no cross winds today so I can't attest to that.

I'm sitting at a half inch higher than without the adjusters.

Hope you get yours dialed in Stumpy

 

[BajaRon]

OK -- been playing with them and had 2 turns in before our ride today.

All I can say is --"OH YEAH !!"
Soaks up uneven road surfaces better and handled the twisties, at speed, like it was on rails :2thumbs: We were 2 up.

These adjusters, along with the stronger sway bar and links -- I'm quite impressed.

Had almost no cross winds today so I can't attest to that.

I'm sitting at a half inch higher than without the adjusters.

Hope you get yours dialed in Stumpy

Most customers are happy with 2 turns. Seems to be the general sweet spot. But I've got customers running as high as 4 turns when loaded.

Just wondering if you figured out why the moving aound on that certain stretch of road you mentioned.