Adjust Suspension for Rider Weight

[LSD4me]

Hi All!

Can anybody point me to the procedure on how to adjust the suspension for my weight? Currently the bike is factory set for a rider of about 180lbs

I need to adjust this.

Any help is appreciated.

thanks!!

[Spidey]

What model monster/ducati/motorcycle/plow horse do you have?

From the FAQ section:  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=982.0

[LSD4me]

Monster 696

[Spidey]

Your front forks aren't adjustable without taking them apart and/or raising or lowering them in the triple clamps.

You can adjust your rear suspension for sag and rebound (but not compression).  Be aware that the rings on your rear shock are probably plastic.  So when you use the hammer/punch to adjust it, the rings will get chewed up.  Don't worry.  It happens to everyone.  #2 and #6 in that link describe how to do it.  You'll need at least one, if not two, friends to help depending on whether you have a wheel chock or not.

What do you weigh?  If you're way off factory settings, to properly set up your suspension you'll need to get a new spring from the rear shock and for the forks. 

[LSD4me]

I weigh 150

There is an adjustment screw (Flat Head) at the TOP of the Yellow Suspension Coil...not the two black plastic rings..but on top of that.

The scree is accessible from the left side if the bike at the top of the coil.

Is this a good adjustment point?

I willl upload a pic of what i mean shortly

[causeofkaos]

dealer told me the 696 is set for an individual between 150 and 180
i would definately still dial it in.

[Spidey]

I weigh 150

There is an adjustment screw (Flat Head) at the TOP of the Yellow Suspension Coil...not the two black plastic rings..but on top of that.

The scree is accessible from the left side if the bike at the top of the coil.

Is this a good adjustment point?

I willl upload a pic of what i mean shortly

The rings are for adjusting preload.  Without seeing the shock, I'd say the flat head screw is probably for rebound.

Start with preload.  Preload (literally, how much load is on the spring before you even get on the bike) is set by those rings.  The more the rings compress the sping, the more pre-load you have.  You want to measure the difference between (a) when there is no weight on the spring from either you or the bike (lift the back of the bike off the ground to measure) and (b) when you're sitting on the bike in full gear (or at least holding it).  The difference is called sag.  The measurement you take is how much the bike moves--or sags--along the vertical plane.  You are not measuring along the shock.  

Here's how you do it:  get a hammer and either a screwdriver or a punch.  You'll move the rings by hammering the shit out of them.  Then get two friends.  Then follow the directions in the link I posted for setting preload.  

[Howie]

Actually, one of the nice things about the 696 is the rings are easily accessible with a spanner like these:
http://www.fastcycleparts.com/showproduct.aspx?variantid=7719&aid=10050

On most bikes the one Spidey said works best:
http://motorcyclist.automotive.com/31968/race-tech-shock-preload-adjusting-tool/index.html