Yamaha 1300 Tourer - Yamaha 1300 Tourer Fansite

Ah, it’s that time of year again. Spring is in the air. Clean up the bike, plan rides, and…. Ask questions. A few people have contacted me about how to adjust the rear shock.
Reading the service manual makes it sound like a major ordeal – it seems that they discuss dismantling half the bike to get to It, but don’t worry, it’s easy peasy. All it takes is a few minutes and a little muscle.

What you’ll need:
Adjusting wrench - This should have been given to you when you bought the bike.
5mm hex tool.

Recommended:
Screw driver – or something that can be placed in or over the adjusting wrench handle for additional leverage.

Optional:
Bike jack

So, let’s begin!

Some people have jacked up their bikes to adjust the shock. I didn’t, but something you may want to consider.

We’ll be moving the belt guard:

Remove the two 5mm hex bolts holding it on:

Move the belt cover towards the rear a short way:

Look between the belt and the rectifier(the thing with the black louvered cover). The honeycomb looking thing is the top of shock that we will be using the wrench on:

Here’s the adjusting tool for the shock:

Slide the handle onto the wrench:

Alright, alright, enough of the “Captain Obvious” comments. :)

We’re going to be stiffening the shock, so get the notched part of the wrench to grab one of the holes at the back of shock:

It takes a bit of effort to adjust the shock, so it helps to put some kind of cheater into(like a screwdriver) or over the wrench handle:

To stiffen the shock, push the wrench towards the front of the bike:
NOTE: Adjusting the shock is a bit like loosening a stubborn bolt – You put a lot of effort into it, then it suddenly gives way. The shock adjustment is notched, so you’re having to ratchet it through the settings.

Wash, rinse repeat:
NOTE: The stock setting is 4, the max is 9. Many, myself included, have found 6 or 7 to be a good setting for solo as well as two-up for the average passenger.

The top of shock does have the adjustment numbers stamped on it, if you really want to see where it is set at. You only have to remove the battery and battery box to see it. Go ahead and look if you want, I’ll wait. :)

You back?

OK, if you’re done adjusting, then slide the belt cover back and replace the two 5mm bolts:

If you jacked up your bike, now’s the time to put it back down. Yah, yah, I know. Smartass.

That’s it! You just spent 10 mins and adjusted your shock.

Enjoy!

Boomer Sooner
Potestatem obscuri lateris nescis