captainscarlet Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 Evening all! Quick question to those among you who enjoy twiddling your suspension. I have a K-tech Razor R Lite rear shock fitted, the one without the remote preload adjuster. K-tech nicely included a c-spanner, however as access to the collar is appalling once fitted to the bike I can only use the spanner for part of a turn. Once that part turn is made I can't get the spanner into position to get another part turn. The adjustment collar has a combination of troughs and round pin holes for inserting tools into. Does anybody in a similar predicament have any recommendations for an alternative tool? I'm sort of regretting being a cheapskate and wishing I'd coughed up for the remote preload version.... CS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member 1moreroad Posted May 10, 2020 Premium Member Share Posted May 10, 2020 Screwdriver and rubber mallet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainscarlet Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, 1moreroad said: Screwdriver and rubber mallet. Yeah, I've given that a bit of a try but am loath to do too much as it mars the collar. CS Edited May 10, 2020 by captainscarlet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member piotrek Posted May 10, 2020 Supporting Member Share Posted May 10, 2020 (edited) My Nitron has a similar preload ring I think. I use a pin tool and it is quite effective. I have to alternate between the straight and angled end as I work the ring. Works for me. Maybe K-Tech has a similar tool or could refer you to a third party solution. You could probably adapt the Nitron tool but would have to grind the ends to fit the holes in the ring. Would weaken the tool though. Good luck. Edited May 11, 2020 by piotrek 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member 2and3cylinders Posted May 10, 2020 Premium Member Share Posted May 10, 2020 I have the same shock. You do know to loosen the set screw on the bottom adjusteder first? I think it's a 3 mm socket head screw. I trimmed off square the end of the K-Tech spanner so it would fit in the Yamaha OEM shock spanner and wrench extension for more leverage. You CAN rotate the preload ring around a little bit at a time. The small holes will accept a hardened flat end steel pin (can't remember the diameter) to also rotate the preload ring. My shock has a custom Torrington bearing but for some reason Matt installed it at the upper end of the spring. When I remove the swing arm to grease the bearings and linkage, I'm going to move the Torrington bearing to the bottom where I think it should be. Regardless, it is a PITA to adjust preload. The pin adjuster should have a bend in it to help access, and both ends can be used. Penske shocks use a pin "wrench" but it's much larger in diameter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainscarlet Posted May 11, 2020 Author Share Posted May 11, 2020 6 hours ago, piotrek said: My Nitron has a similar preload ring I think. I use a pin tool and it is quite effective. I have to alternate between the straight and angled end as I work the ring. Works for me. Maybe K-Tech has a similar tool or could refer you to a third party solution. You could probably adapt the Nitron tool but would have to grind the ends to fit the holes in the ring. Would weaken the tool though. Good luck. Ahh that Nitron tool looks just the ticket. Do you think you might be able to stick a micrometer on the end of that pin and measure the diameter? CS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainscarlet Posted May 11, 2020 Author Share Posted May 11, 2020 6 hours ago, 2and3cylinders said: I have the same shock. You do know to loosen the set screw on the bottom adjusteder first? I think it's a 3 mm socket head screw. I trimmed off square the end of the K-Tech spanner so it would fit in the Yamaha OEM shock spanner and wrench extension for more leverage. You CAN rotate the preload ring around a little bit at a time. The small holes will accept a hardened flat end steel pin (can't remember the diameter) to also rotate the preload ring. My shock has a custom Torrington bearing but for some reason Matt installed it at the upper end of the spring. When I remove the swing arm to grease the bearings and linkage, I'm going to move the Torrington bearing to the bottom where I think it should be. Regardless, it is a PITA to adjust preload. The pin adjuster should have a bend in it to help access, and both ends can be used. Penske shocks use a pin "wrench" but it's much larger in diameter. Yes I am aware of the set screw. I think I need to find a suitable pin wrench. CS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBB Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 Have you seen this @captainscarlet Shock Punch Spanner Motion Pro Tool 08-0483 Adjuster Rear Shock Pre Load Shock Punch Spanner. An ideal tool for turning hard to reach lock and... I have the Nitron tool as well, so I’ll measure it for you, but they seem to do 5 and 6mm versions. https://www.nitron.co.uk/buy-online/accessories/tools 1 1 Red 2015 Tracer, UK spec (well, it was until I started messing with it...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member piotrek Posted May 11, 2020 Supporting Member Share Posted May 11, 2020 8 hours ago, captainscarlet said: ...Do you think you might be able to stick a micrometer on the end of that pin and measure the diameter? It's just a hair under 6mm. I think you will need a tool with the straight and angled pin end combination to make this work. The fit needs to be precise for the tool to be effective. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainscarlet Posted May 11, 2020 Author Share Posted May 11, 2020 3 hours ago, piotrek said: It's just a hair under 6mm. I think you will need a tool with the straight and angled pin end combination to make this work. The fit needs to be precise for the tool to be effective. Ok thanks for that. I've measured the pin holes on the K-tech collar and they are exactly 4mm in diameter and 8mm deep. This means, unfortunately, that the Nitron tool is too large. Looks like it might have to be the punch that BBB linked to. CS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBB Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 Would an allen key fit @captainscarlet, despite the hexagonal shape you might get a pretty good leverage with one? 1 Red 2015 Tracer, UK spec (well, it was until I started messing with it...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member 2and3cylinders Posted May 11, 2020 Premium Member Share Posted May 11, 2020 4 hours ago, captainscarlet said: Ok thanks for that. I've measured the pin holes on the K-tech collar and they are exactly 4mm in diameter and 8mm deep. This means, unfortunately, that the Nitron tool is too large. Looks like it might have to be the punch that BBB linked to. CS Shock Spanner Punch - Motion Pro Motion Pro - High quality cables, tools and controls for motorcycles, ATVs... Pin diameter not stated but it's brass, which WILL bend or snap off; plus the tip is not replaceable or double ended with the needed kink at one end. Tool, 8900 Preload Adjuster | Penske Racing Shocks PENSKE RACING SHOCKS SPRING PRELOAD ADJUSTER This is what you need but the rod (pin) diameter is too large and the kinked end too short. Options McMaster-Carr McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000... SILVER STEEL GROUND SHAFT ROD ROUND 2-20mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 8mm 12mm 16mm 18mm | eBay Find great deals for SILVER STEEL GROUND SHAFT ROD ROUND 2-20mm... 5pcs 4mm Titanium Ti Grade 5 GR5 Metal Rod Bar Diameter Length 250mm 10 inches High strength, good plasticity. 5 x Titanium Rod. Material: Titanium. Grade:... 304 Stainless Steel Round Bar Ground Stock Shafts Rod 2mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 8mm 20mm The tolerance for the silver steel bars are up to 25mm +0/-0.015", and over... 4mm x 3' Grade A2 Steel Precision Drill Rod | Fastenal 4mm ASTM A479 304 Stainless Steel Round Stock | Fastenal 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainscarlet Posted May 13, 2020 Author Share Posted May 13, 2020 (edited) I posed the same question to K-tech and received the following response, for those who are interested: Morning The Pin holes are 4mm. You can use an off the shelf pin punch to do this. https://www.tengtools.com/r/gb/en/Striking-Tools/4mm-Parallel-Pin-Punch-PP04 Best Regards Edited May 13, 2020 by captainscarlet 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lospsi Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 Adjusting preload is difficult with the OEM shock too (2015 model). There's just not enough space to rotate the tool, I had to remove left rear passenger peg to make it (a bit) easier... I wonder if the newer GT shock with the remote adjuster would be a direct fit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now