Hi all, as you may have read in my recent thread I've bought a Monster. The previous owner was, how do I politely say, short in the leg, and thinks it's been lowered prior to his ownership. It does seem low, but also very soft at the rear. I'm wondering if it had been lowered how would it have been done? Surely backing the preloading wouldn't be the only thing that had been done? I can't see any indication of another way - the linkages and rocker maybe? thanks all! Ian.
A shorter than OEM shock perhaps? Or an OEM one that has been shortened....? But being very soft suggests the preload is backed off......... ......and check the tyre profile against the OEM tyre profile...........+/-10 makes a lot of difference.... Hopefully the spring hasn't been cut down...............lift the rear end as high as you can and get someone to see if a gap appears between the spring and the shock spring flange...... AL
Is the version with a hoop at the rear? If. So you can adjust it there, or if you want it much higher you cam get some extenders. The DD boys use them. If is the later monster, I think (memory failing) there is a ride height adjuster ala 916 which again can be wound up or down
Thanks for the ideas folks. Theres a yellow linkage, shaped kind of hoop like over the top of the rear wheel to a rocker, which connects to the shock. I'll lift it up and have a better sniff round it tomorrow, it's locked in at work now. It's a rather bizarre set up to be honest, I've not seen anything quite the same before. Incidentally, the Haynes manual seems to think that to drop the engine and gearbox is a full rear swingarm / shock off job. I'd like to take the engine out to tidy up the crankcases and the like and do the belts but not if it's such a major ball ache? I'm not bothered about doing the work but don't have access to decent facilities (heating, lifting gear, masses of space!!) as I have now for too long. Ian.
You need to stabilise the rear end (used axle stands under pegs as they were fixed on mine) undo the rose joints bolts (careful they get stuck easily!!)and then one released you can wind out the rose joint bottom. May be an idea to take out the you know how much you can wind out and still safely support the rear Haven't sone this for cple of years so may be about right
The Monster is quite soft, I replaced the roses and added the risers last year. It made the steering sharper and I didn't need to drop the fork height. As said above its an easy job but,if using axel stands you will need to turn the foot rests to lock them.
Suspension - sorted. Belts - changed. Headlamp - adjusted. Chain - tightened (presumably after it's initial stretch). Now to decide - keep and use for a while ( running the risk of never letting go!) or selling it? I'm leaning towards the first, I must admit. i would post a (bad!) picture of it if I could...
keep it and enjoy it. And when you want something sportier, add clip ons, limit the lock stops and have a whole new riding experience
But I've run out of garage space! There's four in there already - not Monsters, admittedly. edit to say - I know I'm going to keep it. It's one of the bikes I wanted in the early 90s, so to have one now, just do the work getting it back on the road and sorted and then selling it without even riding it on the road seems futile!
Every one should have one. If you are going to sell, there are a few looking on the UK monster forum.
