setting fork preload

I'm up my suspension and my front sag is really off.  Usually preload is set by removing the fork caps and replacing spacers.  The fork caps on my '12 WRR unthread about a half an inch and then just click once per turn, like they're not meant to come out.  Both forks behave the same way suggesting it's normal.

Am I missing something?  I don't see anything in the manual--it appears from the manual and various internet sources like they unthread like every other bike I've worked on.

thanks,

-morgan

The clicking once per turn is probably from the threads of the cap and fork tube already being fully undone, and your continued turning of the cap is having it reaching and falling off the last thread once a turn.
I'm guessing you're doing this with the bike up on a stand, and the weight of the front wheel and front fork, itself, is keeping you from simply removing the cap with your fingers, and that's because the cap is attached to the damper rod that threads into it.

You need to take a look at the Service Manual and read on how the cap is removed on this KYB 46mm inverted open-chamber fork.

Also, while I'm not certain about this for a WR-250R (I'd ask a suspension guy who knows the bike), other bikes I've owned with similar forks had the Service Manual mention any preload adjustment was done by adding thin spacers (they look more like washers because they are not very thick - you may be thinking about old damper rod forks from the 1970s and 1980s) to the bottom of the springs.

YZEtc wrote:

The clicking once per turn is probably from the threads of the cap and fork tube already being fully undone, and your continued turning of the cap is having it reaching and falling off the last thread once a turn.
I'm guessing you're doing this with the bike up on a stand, and the weight of the front wheel and front fork, itself, is keeping you from simply removing the cap with your fingers, and that's because the cap is attached to the damper rod that threads into it.

You need to take a look at the Service Manual and read on how the cap is removed on this KYB 46mm inverted open-chamber fork.

Also, while I'm not certain about this for a WR-250R (I'd ask a suspension guy who knows the bike), other bikes I've owned with similar forks had the Service Manual mention any preload adjustment was done by adding thin spacers (they look more like washers because they are not very thick - you may be thinking about old damper rod forks from the 1970s and 1980s) to the bottom of the springs.

It turns out the fork cap comes out fine with the front wheel removed: that allows allows the fork to collapse and the cartridge, spring, etc to come up.  I'm clearly a rusty on servicing suspension.

In terms of setting preload, there is no spacer so I ordered lighter springs (I weight 155 lbs).  They should be in this week so we'll see how that goes.

thanks for the advice.

-morgan

morgan9283 wrote:

It turns out the fork cap comes out fine with the front wheel removed: that allows allows the fork to collapse and the cartridge, spring, etc to come up.  I'm clearly a rusty on servicing suspension.

In terms of setting preload, there is no spacer so I ordered lighter springs (I weight 155 lbs).  They should be in this week so we'll see how that goes.

thanks for the advice.

-morgan

What stiffness spring did you use, how did it work out for you?  Did you try lighter oil first?

You're correct (obviously) no spacer. Apparently 19mm of preload stock from what Racetech told me. I measured and didn't get that number, but didn't factor in the compression of the fork cap.