450 front shock tuners

[zr7cat]

I just put on some 450 front shocks, I was wondering what a good starting point for tuning these things. I notice they have adjustability on the top and the bottom. H and a S. Does this stand for hard and soft. What is the top for and what is the bottom setting for. Thanks

[tri5ron]

actually there is 3 adjustable settings. The 2 that you mentioned, and the spring preload.

If you have the stock 450r springs, and stock 400EX a-arms,...
then a good place to start is:

Full soft on the springs, (providing your riding weight is under 200 lbs)

Full soft on the compression setting,(thats the top screw)

About middle or less on the rebound screw,(thats the bottom screw)

no one set of adjustments is best for all riders, due to differences in riders weights, riding style and skill, terrain being ridden, various a-arm lengths, and personal preferences.

basicall you want to use as much of the shocks available travel as possible, without bottoming out all the time.
you should only LIGHTLY bottom out, on the biggest jumps or hardest hits you are normally doing.
(this will be a combination of spring preloads and compression settings)

the rebound setting should be as soft as possible, for your riding style, skill, terrain,
WITHOUT having them so soft, that they "Pack-up" on you.

(in other words,... they need to return to the neutral position quickly enough after taking a hit or two, but not so fast that they are doing the "pogo")