Traxxion Dymanics Preload collars

[Slide Panda]

I admit, they are probably a bit of unnecessary bling for most. But, when's that ever stopped us?

As some of my winter (now spring) work I had the shock out for service. So I took the opportunity to fuss.

Getting the stock preload collars off was a big PITA. Getting the lower ring loose took a long time and was full of lots of swearing. On my bike, a 2000 900S it's about impossible to adjust the preload while the shock is 100% in place. So enter the Traxxion collar.

I opted to drop the cash on the Torrington bearing kit as well - and was glad I did. It's added thickness made reassembling the shock a bit harder though. The added mm or two required me to compress the spring a tiny bit, to be able to re-seat the bottom spring stop. I'm big enough that I was able to just lean on the spring with one hand to give me enough space, smaller folks might need a helper or spring compressor.

Once the shock was reassembled with the Traxxion collar and bearings, re-loading the spring was so easy! The collar is supplied with a 'tool' for adjustment. The tool is just a rod with a bit of a kink that fits in the ton of holes around the circumference of the collar and lets you preload the spring quickly and easily. The 'tool' and design of the collar let you get at it from a lot of different angles.

My one concern is that it's too easy and might back off due to vibration - but I could be paranoid. But, the collar has a threaded hole every 90 degrees and I'm probably going to snag a couple nylon screws for them to add a little extra insurance.

With shipping it came to a bit more than $70 for the collar and bearings. If you're someone who changes (or should) change the preload on their shock often that $70 is probably a small price for the time and busted knuckles saved.


The items:
http://www.traxxion.com/PreloadCollars.aspx
http://www.traxxion.com/ShockSpringTorringtonBearingKit.aspx

[pennyrobber]

I think these would be very useful if you were riding two up or doing track days often. The stock rings are a total pain to adjust. I suppose an aftermarket shock with remote preload adjust would be even easier but for the price, these seem good.

[Slide Panda]

One thing their site notes, especially for the track riders, is that the remote preloads tend to be easy to damage or destroy (ripped off in a crash). Where you'd have to pretty much stuff the shock to damage this little collar. Makes some sense to me. As cool and handy as the remote adjusters are it is an equation of convenience vs durability

[Drunken Monkey]

At $70 I'd say the biggest reason not to get one would be time spent on the installation.

If  Time spent on installation < Time spent adjusting stock collars then buy one.

I don't count the $70, since installing this would be a walk in the park compared to adjusting the stock collar 

[Slide Panda]

Well, on my hoopy suspension, any but the smallest adjustment means hoisting/jacking the bike, removing the rear wheel, unbolting the shock, adjusting, reverse all of the above and hoping to god you got it right... It'll pay back with haste.

And I had the shock out for service work anyway so... why not play 

[atomic410]

the remote adjustor is kinda weak and does have a limited amount of adjustment.  its even weaker that to really adjust it the hose has to come off on some models causing you to have to recharge the gas in it at the track...read xtra expense and taking it apart at the track.  my shock is in a box about to be sent to them for a rebuild and i might get one of these put on while its there.

[atomic410]

Well, on my hoopy suspension, any but the smallest adjustment means hoisting/jacking the bike, removing the rear wheel, unbolting the shock, adjusting, reverse all of the above and hoping to god you got it right... It'll pay back with haste.

And I had the shock out for service work anyway so... why not play 

I have an 08 yz450f supermoto race bike that the subframe has to come off along with the exhaust.  to get the tank off all the bodywork comes off 1st, then the seat, rear fender, exhaust, air box attached to carb, then the shock.  hours of work