front end low

[bluebaron]

I have plus 2 a-arms with elkas that a zero preload with SSG.
it feels like the front sit really low to the ground, i like it for racing but for everyday riding on trails on stuff it gets annoying with little grond clearance. also on some jumps the front of the frame hits the dirt, throwing it in my face.

Is this what they are desinged to do?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid161/p998d1b2111e68e3823533d362c8871a2/f4c524d9.jpg

[Pappy]

adjust your pre load adjuster down, that will raise the front of the quad.

you could lower your rear by raising the preload adjuster but you need to find out what you want your ride heigth to be first.


bottoming every once in awhile is ok, it tells you you are using every bit of travel you have, but do not let it become a safety issue.

[wheeltrax]

Originally posted by Pappy
adjust your pre load adjuster down, that will raise the front of the quad.


It looks like your preload is set to the minimum (soft) screw it downward and you will raise the front as pappy said.

[bluebaron]

How do i do that?

[wheeltrax]

on your front shocks there is a collar. Loosen up the allen head bolt on the collar. Take the weight off the front suspension. Take either the tool that came with the shocks, or you can use a stubby phillips head screwdriver, and turn it so the collar goes down the threads..

[bluebaron]

ok i will go try that.

[bluebaron]

i moved it down an inch, does that sound about right?

Know what did that do, raise the height, less preload?

[Pappy]

measure the bottom of your frame at 2 points

1 where the front motor mount is

the other at the back of the footpeg

you will need to inform us of thoise measurements or search for the proper ride heights for your tire size etc.

a guess would put it at 8 1/2 inches with you on the quad for the tire size i think you posted in another thread

[bluebaron]

my rear tires are 18" and the fronts 21"

8 1/2 inches, you talking about clearance?

[Pappy]

yes, measure from the ground to the bottom of your frame.

[Chino886]

what are the recommended 400ex measurements at the pegs and front motor mounts with +2 standard travel arms?

[Pappy]

Trail Riding 9 to 10 inches
MX: 7 1/2 to 9 inches
XC: 8 1/2 ot 10 inches


get the quad on level ground, break out the tape and have someone take the measurements.

adjust the preload until you have the settings you require, wether it be mx,xc or trails etc.

once you get it baselined you can fine tune it for what you feel works best for you.

[Chino886]

sweet, time to go tinker, just got my new Elkas with adjustable preload....:D

[Pappy]

Originally posted by Chino886
sweet, time to go tinker, just got my new Elkas with adjustable preload....:D

far too many people buy shocks and never adjust them, then they either complain about them or never get to feel what they are supposed to feel like!

[Chino886]

yeah, on my old shocks I could not even adjust them.....that is why I bought the Elkas...

[wheeltrax]

Originally posted by Pappy
far too many people buy shocks and never adjust them, then they either complain about them or never get to feel what they are supposed to feel like!

I agree, when i got my front shocks they were awesome, all i had to do was set up preload as they are preload adj only. (elka) Then i sent my rear in for the ssd dual rate rebuild/revalve. I got it back and just threw it on expecting it to be awesome as hell. I go and ride, and my *** was sore within 10 mins, i was discouraged but knew that i was to lazy to set the shock up right. after i set the shock up by riding it for a day and fine tuning it, i would never ride on stock shocks again!

[bluebaron]

when i get a 450er should i take them off the ex and keep them for the 450, or sell the ex with them. are they better than the the 450s shocks

[400exMO]

Sell the shocks separetely from the 400ex, as long as you still have the stockers. The 450r will need a different shocks than the one you have now. It will bolt up but won't be right.

[braxton]

bluebaron
nice bike,i like that frame also.is it powder coated:cool:
heres mine.

[CannondaleRider]

Your rear brakes arn't working right....and for some odd reason, I don't think the powers getting to the ground like it should

:p I'm just bored, lol

[bradley300]

follow pappy's advice, and make sure someone else does the measureing, because you should be on the quad when setting the ride height