| Author | Message | ||
     Velocity |
Hey, I'm looking for any one that can explain how to set up the front and rear suspension on my 96 s2t. The front is stock, and I still have the stock coil over shock. I have the recall shock but never put it on.I weigh 178. I have experience with drag racing but this road racing is all new. Thanks | ||
| Hotrodsportster |
Go to the RaceTech web page and have a ball reading what is there. They can guide you through the setup. Ride Safe | ||
| Firemanjim |
Scott,you are in luck.I happen to have my 1995 S-2 sevice manual with me in my truck as I have been working on racebike at shop. Front forks have compression damping adjusters at base of each fork leg--slotted red dial--#1 is softest,8 is max,#3 is factory setting. Rebound adjustment is on top of each fork leg,clockwise is more rebound damping/slowest,CCW is less rebound damping/fastest rebound,stock setting is 2 clicks from slowest position. In defense of the Showa replacement it worked better(when it wasn't leaking,all of my Showas leaked eventually,got a Penske from Al Lighton) than the WP.The stocker is too harsh.And the front forks really need less spring rate. OK,rear needs to have preload/sag adjusted first.With bike off stand bounce a few times to be sure suspension is free, then measure between axle nut and bottom of grabstrap on seat(or whatever reference point you like),then put rider on in full gear,bounce a couple of times,and measure again.Subtract one from the other,should be between .5" to 1.5".Preload is adjusted by the 4 metric nuts on spring rods. Compression damping adjuster is dial on the rear of shock,it has 11 positions,#1 being softest,factory setting is 6. On the remote reservoir is the rebound damping adjuster with 7 settings,#1 is the minimum damping,factory setting is 4.The manual has a complete trouble shooting guide.Find a manual.They show up on eBay alot. Here is one right now,get it QUICK!!!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-1996-Buell-Thunderbolt-S2-S2T-Service-Manual _W0QQitemZ7999509145QQcategoryZ34236QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem And welcome to the S-2 owners club,enjoy. (Message edited by firemanjim on September 14, 2005) | ||
| Velocity |
Hey thanks,This will keep me busy. I'll let you know the outcome. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Did you get that manual on eBay? | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
A S2 owner with out a manual?!?!  JT | ||
| Samc |
I'm embarrassed to admit that I got it; saw the eBay posting before I saw this thread and snapped it up at the "Buy it Now". They do show up a lot, I believe I saw at least one other in the pipeline. Velocity, if you're desperate, I can either sell it to you for what I paid and find another, or scan whatever you need. Deepest apologies. Sam | ||
| Easy_rider |
Hey, I almost bought that manual just because I've been lusting after an S2 just weeks after starting to frequent this board! Maybe someday when I buy an S2 it will come with the manual.... at least that's what I told myself when I passed on it. | ||
| Velocity |
No its all good I got one from the dealer I used to work for. I set the bike per the above factory settings and WoW its nice to stick a turn and not wash out towards the edge of the road. The rear shock was 11 and the can was 7. Both legs where 2 clicks off of slow, the lower compression settings where different one 8 and the other was 3 no wander it was trying to throw me in the turns. Now with everything adjusted I have a great starting place. Thanks Firemanjim. I have 8 yrs. experience making them go fast in a straight line.Turns,a whole new world..... | ||
| Firemanjim |
Yeah,I'm kinda hooked on that straightline stuff now,too----course my straight line is 5 miles long. Just sheer luck I had the manual here at work,and had some free time to post. | ||
| Velocity |
I'm glad you had the manual handy, I see it has good info. on setup/trouble shooting. Is there a large following on this site for the old tube frame buells(S2) or are everyone migrating to the XB world? | ||
| Imeazy |
Is there a large following on this site for the old tube frame buells(S2) or are everyone migrating to the XB world? Not everyones migrating. I still love my 96 S2T (bought it new). I wouldn't trade or sell it for nothing! There's quite a few others that I know feel the same. The "S2 ONLY PICTURES" thread was started on April 24th and is still being added to.  | ||
| Henrik |
I *may* be adding some XB content to the garage, but the S2 is staying. Henrik |
