Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: spacers and sproings
From:Fred Porter
Date:Wed, 1 Jul 1998 11:15:10 -0600

if you haven't already been enlightened about the correct definitions of
the termonology by the previous lengthy explanations, then reiterating
what has already been said will do no good.

Steven X. Schwenk wrote:
>
> Fred, It would be nice if you could enlighten us with the correct termonology if
> we are so wrong.
>
> People are undoubtedly sick of this topic, so I will shut up and post no more
> beyond what I end up doing to my van this weekend.
>
> I will reiterate that what the YZ drawings show/discuss is what happens when you
> insert a spacer in the syncro.  Lowering the spring perch forces use of a stiffer
> portion of the spring travel...with the result being that the suspension is
> "stiffer" than without it...even if, as you say, the spring rate of the spring is
> no stiffer.
>
> This adjustment allows you, on the YZ, to adjust the pre-load so that the
> suspension sags the optimum 4" under the weight of the bike and rider no matter
> how much the rider weighs (within limits).  Hence, you can adjust it so that it
> sags 4" with a rider weighing 150 lbs. and then re-adjust it so that it sags the
> same 4" with a rider weighing 175 lbs.  If all the adjustment did was raise the
> height of the vehicle without increasing the stiffness of the "suspension," then
> the heavier rider would always sink the suspension more than the light rider no
> matter how much you turned the adjustment.
>
> Enough.
> steve