1994 750ss Showa rear shock

[geoffearnest]

Hi all,

I am trying to find the stock setting for the Showa rear shock on my 1994 750SS. My Haines manual gives settings for the 900SS but says that the 750 base settings are unavailable. Could someone help me out please.
I need to know the stock preload, (amount of thread showing or spring length). Also the compression and rebound adjusting screws turn OK but there are no clicks when turned, so I presume the setting would be in the number of half turns or something like that. Any help much appreciated.

Geoff

[Iconic944ss]

Hi and welcome Geoff,

I never did find a 750ss workshop specific manual but apparently one is available here:

Duc.nu

On looking, I was surprised that the 750 wet weight is listed as being a kilo heavier than a 900ss at 183kg.

Why not start with the 900 settings as a base and make you own adjustments from there?

Cheers, Frank

[Iconic944ss]

Some nonspecific setup info here:

http://900ss.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=cats&action=display&thread=22

[geoffearnest]

Hi and welcome Geoff,

I never did find a 750ss workshop specific manual but apparently one is available here:

Duc.nu

On looking, I was surprised that the 750 wet weight is listed as being a kilo heavier than a 900ss at 183kg.

Why not start with the 900 settings as a base and make you own adjustments from there?

Cheers, Frank

Hi Frank,
The problem with using the 900 settings is that they are expressed as number of clicks. On the 750SS (on mine anyway) the adjusting screws just wind open and closed smoothly without any clicks. I would need to know that, for example, 8 clicks equals one and a half turns on mine.
As regards the 750 being heavier, perhaps that is for a steel swinging arm on 750 and alloy on 900. Just a guess.
I tried that link for a manual but it showed the 750 and 900 manual as for year 1975 only.
To quote my Haynes manual:
"Ducati do not provide a a standard setting for 750SS and 900SS/SL models."
Perhaps someone could tell me if the lack of clicks on my unit is the same on other carby 750SS or just on mine.
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
Geoff

[geoffearnest]

Some nonspecific setup info here:

http://900ss.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=cats&action=display&thread=22

Hi,
Thanks for link but cannot access it comes op as an error not found.
Regards,
Geoff

[antonye]

Hi,
Thanks for link but cannot access it comes op as an error not found.
Regards,
Geoff

Don't copy and paste the link as they get trimmed down, just click the link instead.

Here's a shorter version: http://tinyurl.com/cw8bmlr

[Iconic944ss]

Items 10 & 12 from duc.nu are the ones of interest for you I think Geoff, not sure if the settings you are after would actually be there of course.

I still have my old Showa shock somewhere so I can try & figure out how clicks per turn.

[bradders]

is there such a thing really as most riders weigh different amounts?

cant you just set up ising the static sag measurements? Loads of tips if you are not sure in the DD section, Chris P did a good artice on it

[bally71]

the showa unit on my 750ss ie was the same .. no clicks

you could work out how many revolutions the adjuster turns from full out to full in and then work out what 1 click is worth .. the manual should state how many clicks of adjustment there is

tbh tho i'd take bradders advice and set it up for yourself .. not that difficult

you might also want to consider the fact your shocks nearly 20 years old and the original factory settings will be largely irrellevant

[Ghost]

is there such a thing really as most riders weigh different amounts?

cant you just set up using the static sag measurements? Loads of tips if you are not sure in the DD section, Chris P did a good article on it

+1 exactly.

[bradders]

theres also a really good youtube video of a guy setting up sispension (blonde hair, in shorts) where he gives great tip on getting the initial balance front and rear right for comp/reb

worth a few micnutes searching

[geoffearnest]

+1 exactly.
Thanks guys for all your help.
I have since found this site:

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/tires/146_suspension_settings/index3.html

This shows 900SS as one and a quarter TURNS out and 16mm thread showing. I will use these as a starting point but will look to replacing the unit with a later model unit at a later date.

Geoff

[bradders]

Geoff, unless your shock is as new and you weigh the same as a 1990's Italian, it wont be right. While stock is somewhere to start, for 5 mins more you can get something far better IMHO

Have a look here http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/showthread.php?t=78883

And here at he related links to this guys work http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iP7lGhRjPE

[skidlids]

Since when did the weight of the rider come into setting the damping on a shock with a given spring rate. The damping is there to control the spring and the forces transfered to it relevant to the weight of the unsprung mass, the speed your travelling and the size of the bumps.
Sprung weight including that of the rider just determines how much of your suspension travel is already used up and therefore how much you have left to deal with what the unsprung mass throws at it.
Altering damping settings to compensate for a incorrect spring is never going to lead to the best handling settings.
All production bikes are a compromise and all you can do is tweak what they have given you to get the best out of what you have available.

[bally71]

Since when did the weight of the rider come into setting the damping on a shock with a given spring rate. The damping is there to control the spring and the forces transfered to it relevant to the weight of the unsprung mass, the speed your travelling and the size of the bumps.
Sprung weight including that of the rider just determines how much of your suspension travel is already used up and therefore how much you have left to deal with what the unsprung mass throws at it.
Altering damping settings to compensate for a incorrect spring is never going to lead to the best handling settings.
All production bikes are a compromise and all you can do is tweak what they have given you to get the best out of what you have available.

but rider weight will dictate the preload

[bally71]

for a fairly nominal fee you could have the shock refurbed and resprung to your weight by maxton or k-tech

they'll set up your base settings .. best money you'll ever spend

[bradders]

Agree with Bally - spring alone will not refub the shock, needs all the internal bits too, so while it may solve a sag problem it wont solve a damping one

[Cranker V2]

Bin it and get a decent one................