The suspense was killing me....

[2Evil4U]

Now my suspension won't.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3215-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3216-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3218-3.jpg

I'm not sure if they were able to go up the extra inch I requested as Ted said that the GSA suspension was already maxed out at stock height. I guess I'll see when I get the old ones off.

[Navaho6]

Ooooh, new boingers. Don't it feel like Christmas in August?

[2Evil4U]

That it does. Although, they're stock height like Ted expected. The cat is in the way of jacking the Adventure up any higher than stock. Oh well. Rear is already on. Now I have to finish up the canisterectomy. I didn't want to do that, but it was required because of the high/low speed rebound damping module.

[Britton]

Congrats! It'll ride better than new now!!!

[Ritten]

I had to request the extra height when I ordered mine. From what I read years ago the extra travel that I put in mine was the same as the stock travel on the adv shocks. Congrats on the new suspension by the way!! You should be able to tell a big difference once you get them dialed in.

[2Evil4U]

Well, it's back together. Truly much less drama than I expected. I took a few pictures which I'll post later, but just idling it up the driveway and back, (I'm in cotton shorts & flip-flops. I'd call it less than NOTGATT) I can already feel a difference with just the factory setup. I can't wait to ride to work tomorrow.

[Fitty]

Congrats. I need one for the Wee, but it'll have to wait. At least I got the front done.

[2Evil4U]

First impressions. So far it is exactly what I was looking for. My main issue with the stock shocks was the lack of damping adjustment on the front. The nose rise & dive when shifting up through the gears, no matter how I set the preload was about driving me nuts.

This setup has all but eliminated it already and I haven't started tweaking it.

It feels much more sure-footed over rough roads (good thing around here) and I will describe it as firmer, but softer, than stock, if that makes any sense. There doesn't seem to be as much suspension movement, but it is not harsh at all in doing that.

For the money, I wouldn't call this a cost effective farkle, but if it's going to just get better as I tune them, so far, so good.

[2Evil4U]

So, first thing I had to do was get the battery back in the Buell in case the install went long. I don't drive the truck unless I absolutely have to anymore.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3219-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3220-2.jpg

Done. And fired right up after sitting for several months. I still do like that bike. Now onto the GS.

[2Evil4U]

I figured the rear shock would be the right place to start as it seemed easier to access.

The stocker:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3223-4.jpg

Showing the location of the evaporative emissions recovery canister:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3222-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3225-5.jpg

Top view:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3226-6.jpg

Bottom view showing first interference and the reason the bike can't go any taller with stock exhaust:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3227-7.jpg

[2Evil4U]

Interference cleared!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3228-8.jpg

It was at this point that I had to do the guy thing and find out what a boxer sounds like without a can. Two words: Stu-pid. These things are supposed to be well muffled.

Anyhoo, with the testosterone generation out of the way, I carried on.

A couple of bolts, a little persuasion with a pry bar and voila:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3229-9.jpg

Canister removed and:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3230-10.jpg

Preload adjuster mounting:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3231-11.jpg

Canisterectomy completed:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3232-12.jpg

[2Evil4U]

Only one picture from the front as it is pretty tight and with the Stebel taking up all the room under the beak, there's not much to see.

Loosening the top nut of the stocker:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_3233-13.jpg

It was shortly after this point that I realized I had to remove the tank guard cross brace so the front would drop enough to let the shock come out.

I did that and it still wasn't giving me enough room. Luckily, I inspected it carefully before applying excessive force as I had forgotten to unhook the front brake line from the frame connector and that was now what was suspending the nose. On bit of quick work with a jack and one torx screw later and I was back in business.

The new unit went in with no drama and the rest of the tank covers and panels went back on pretty easily.

Truly a do-it yourself installation.:poop:

[Britton]

....The nose rise & dive when shifting up through the gears, no matter how I set the preload was about driving me nuts.

If you hate nose dive, you better never ride a Buell. :D

[2Evil4U]

Yep. I had the same problem on the Uly. It, however, comes stock with fully adjustable preload along with rebound AND compression damping in the front, so I was able to pretty much dial it out as well.

[slartidbartfast]

Indeed... Uly is nice to ride but it's like a rocking horse compared to a telelever beemer. :D

After I'd had the GS for a couple of months I suddenly noticed how much harder I was habitually braking - With so little dive, it's easy to do. Put Ohlins on the GS about a year or so ago. Noticed a big ride improvement at the time but now I'm so used to it I wonder if it was worth the $$$$. Easy farkle to get your money back on if you ever sell the bike though. Used upgrade shocks go for almost as much as new ones.

[2Evil4U]

Well. I had a chance to test out the new struts in the dirt last Saturday. They came through with flying colors. I'm noting, though, that the highway settings are too soft for serious off road play. Hammering across some of the ruts and certainly the "sweet jump" at the end of the ride put the rear on the bump-stop a few times. I think a little preload and a bit of increased compression damping will be just the ticket for the next time in the woods.

[I_FLY_LOW]

and don't forget to water the merrigolds on Tuesady....