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Measurements

Good suspension is no big secret.

1. First, the suspension components must be built correctly for your application.

2. Second, the shocks must be the correct length - both extended and compressed.

3. You shock tuner must have all the information about your quad that is needed.

4. Your shock tuner must know what to do with that information.

5. You must then install and setup the ride height correctly for your needs.

6. Then you are ready to fine tune your suspension.

Regarding aftermarket shocks:

We do extensive testing both in house and at the track. We test on MX tracks and XC tracks. I also have spent a lot of time riding in the sand dunes. The shock tuning that we do includes setting the extended length, compressed length, valving, and spring rates based on our latest testing. The shocks sent to you from the shock manufacturer may not be set to the specs that we prefer - this is no reason to expect the shock manufacturer to redo your shock for free. I simply custom tune shocks based on our experience for your riding style and preferences. If you feel that you have a warranty issue and want your shocks fine tuned at no charge - feel free to call the manufacturer directly. This is not a service that we offer. We will however furnish detailed shock specifications to shock manufactures, chassis companies, and customers at their request.

Shock Setup

Note: The information below will only work with suspension that has 10.5  inches of actual wheel travel starting at frame height of precisely 12 inches off the ground.

Thank you for choosing GT Thunder for your shock work.  Please take the time to read through this shock setup sheet and follow instructions to ensure the best possible performance.

Your suspension will only work properly if you take the time to set it up correctly when you install a shock or any suspension component.

Steps in setting up your suspension:

1.        Set the front race ride height to match the rear  - see below for info on measuring your quad and adjusting it. The front needs to be ¼ inch higher then the rear on most quads and 3/4 inch higher on Yamahas.

2.     Check you race sag - for future reference only!!

3.     Check and measure your crossover distance - for future reference only!!

2.        Adjust compression to your liking after you have test ridden your quad.

3.        Have your race ride height (both front and rear) and your race sag measurements handy if you contact us for any further info on setup after you have ridden your quad.

Race ride height:

After installing any suspension component, you need to verify and readjust race ride height.  To do this you must first set your bike on the ground.

You now need to set the race ride height. This is measured with the rider standing on the foot pegs with the tires aired up properly. Roll the bike back and forth and bounce up and down to neutralize all the suspension.

There are 2 places you need to measure from the bottom of the frame to the ground (with rider standing on the pegs):

1)       Right at the foot pegs

2)       22 inches forward from foot pegs

All rear shocks that we work on are shipped with 3 turns of preload in the rear spring, this is a good starting point.  Q: What is 3 turns of preload?  A:  With the shock lying on the bench if you tighten down the top spring collar until it just touches the spring, this is 0 preload.  Now continue to tighten it an additional 3 turns. This is only a starting point and following thru by adjusting the front ride height to match it is very critical to having a balanced setup.

Beware: If you try to reach a predetermined ride height in the rear you can chase your tail due to variation in tire sizes, wheel width effecting tire height, tire balls, and rear axle housing adjustment.

Now set you front ride height ¼ inch higher than the rear.  To do this you need to adjust the front spring preload collars up to lower the front and adjust them down to raise the front.

Setting the clickers:

1. If we worked on your rear shock – we set the rebound for you – please do not change it.
2. Feel free to change the compression setting to your liking.
3. Make sure that the front rebounds faster then the rear for a good balanced setup.

Measuring Race Sag:

1.        Race sag is the amount the quad settles from fully extended with the rider on board.  First, put the         quad up on a stand, measure the distance from the axle (vertically) to some point on the sub frame (make a mark if you need to).

2.        Take the quad off the stand, put the rider on board standing on the pegs, have the rider hold onto something for balance, bounce up and down a little to stabilize the rear end.  Now again measure the distance from the axle to the point on the sub frame where you took the measurement in #1.

3.        Now deduct the measurement from #2 from the measurement in #1.  This is your Race Sag.

4.        To adjust Race Sag tighten or loosen the adjusting collars.  If you have too much race sag, you need more preload, too little race sag you need less preload.

Q. What should the race sag be set at??

 A. There is no magic number but this is info we will need along with your precise ride height if you contact us with any questions after you have set the front ride height to match the rear and after you have ridden the quad ridden the quad.

Front shock covers are highly recommended, for proper shaft and seal protection. Shock covers also help keep mud out of the crossovers and reduce wear to the shock body.

Crossover Distance:

This measurement must be taken at ride height (rider standing on the pegs) on a level surface. 

When running a multiple spring setup, the top spring will only compress so far till the crossover or crossover spacers hit the shock body or spring retainer depending on the type of shock you have. When your shock is setup correctly, there will be a gap there before it hits when at ride height. The distance of the gap is very crucial to the correct setup of your quad.

Shock Setup

Suspension Setup

Price - $175.00 per shock.

Our new high flow pistons give us the ability to tune some stock shocks to work better then an aftermarket shock.

More flow equals a greater range of dampening I.E. Plusher rider with good bottoming resistance.

The fronts will benefit you in a little less are fatigue in long races and a little less stress on your frame and front suspension components.

The rear offers noticeably better ride quality.

Highly recommended for the rear.