Shock adjustment

[nomoreharleys]

New to my 98 (1st Valk) and wondering how to adjust shocks to softest position and know when both are at the same setting. No adjustment marks on the shocks which appear to be stock. Spanner wrench is in tool kit as well as this cable, can someone tell me what its for?

[SCain]

The picture is your helmet lock, all standards and tourers come with them, it attached under the seat. Your owners manual should show how it attaches,
Not sure on the shocks, maybe turn completely clockwise or counter clockwise until they stop, check to see how firm or soft. You might also see what the owners manual says.

[nomoreharleys]

Thanks SC, much appreciated.

[Fazer]

I have seen on the forum, opinions that state the OEM shocks only go one direction and in steps up to five.  Once you get to five, keep going and it goes back to one, the lightest loading.  I managed to turn mine in reverse, well at least one, from four to three.  I could not get the other side to move, so I slipped a cheater pipe on the end for more "leverage."  Well I got it and broke the shock where it attached at the bottom.  Ended up buying Progressives to replace.  Would not have been necessary had I been smart enough to check the forum when having difficulty.  Only about 20,000 miles on it at the time and could have gone many more without parting with about 500 big ones.

[gordonv]

Since no one supplied a picture (pics are down), I would go to ebay and look up OEM shocks. There used to be a label on then, showing positions 1-5. I suspect that there is a left & right side, so they would turn in revers or each other.

I haven't even checked mine yet to see what they are set to, I want them at 5, since I'm usually ridding 2 up.

[Bone]

Both of my shocks are the same they are labeled with 1 on the left 5 on the right. Turning the spanner to the left (clockwise) increases the load capacity.  (mine are set at position 2)

This is from the Owners Manual for my 98 Tourer;

Each shock absorber has 5 adjustments positions for different load  or riding conditions. Use the pin spanner and extension bar to adjust the rear shock.
Always adjust the shock absorber position in sequence (1-2-3-4-5 or 5-4-3-2-1).
Attempting to adjust directly from 1 to 5 or 5 to 1 may damage the shock absorber.
Position 1 is for light load and smooth road conditions.
Position 2 is the standard position.
Positions 3 to 5 increase spring preload for a stiffer rear suspension and can be used when the motorcycle is more heavily.

[..]

If you turn it from 5 to 1 there will be a LOUD bang as the tension is taken off the shock.

Don't do it.

[indybobm]

Helps to take the weight off of the back.