General

Damping is set at the factory for the average solo rider under normal riding conditions. The rider may make adjustments to compensate for load, individual riding styles and varying road conditions.

Evaluating and changing the compression and rebound damping adjustment is a subjective process with many variables and should be approached carefully.

NOTICE

Compression and rebound adjusting valves may be damaged if too much force is used at either end of the adjustment range. (00237a)

NOTE

Do not force adjusters beyond mechanical stops.

Compression and Rebound Damping Adjustment

The compression screw (2) is located on the right fork tube. The rebound screw (3) is located on the left fork tube. See Figure 1.

Compression and Rebound Damping Adjustment

1.	See Figure 2. Turn compression or rebound adjuster clockwise in the H (hard) direction until it stops. This is the maximum compression damping setting.
2.	Turn compression or rebound adjuster counterclockwise in the S (soft) direction the recommended number of turns. Table 3

NOTE

Using a wide flat blade screwdriver will ease the preload adjustment operation.

1	Preload adjuster (2)
2	Compression adjuster
3	Rebound adjuster

Figure 1. Front Shock Absorber Adjustment

Figure 2. Compression and Rebound Damping Adjustment (Typical)

Spring Preload

A preload adjuster is located on the top of each fork tube. See Figure 3.

1.	Turn preload adjuster counter-clockwise in the S (Soft) direction until it stops. This is the minimum preload setting.
2.	Calculate front preload settings. a. Rider: Refer to Table 1 for required rider preload adjustment. Note required adjustment. b. Passenger or cargo: Refer to Table 2 for required passenger and cargo preload. Note required adjustment. c. Add rider and passenger/cargo preload amounts together to get final adjustment setting.
3.	Adjust front preload settings. Turn preload adjuster clockwise the calculated number of turns.

Figure 3. Spring Preload Adjustment

Table 1. Front Preload Suspension Settings

RIDER WEIGHT	FRONT FORKS - Del Mar	FRONT FORKS - Mulholland
kg/lb	Turns from Minimum⁽¹⁾	Turns from Minimum⁽²⁾
91 kg (200 lb)	9	2
100 kg (220 lb)	12	4
109 kg (240 lb)	14	6
118 kg (260 lb)	15	9
127 kg (280 lb)	15	11
136 kg (300 lb) to GVWR	15	13

(1) Number of clockwise turns from minimum preload setting.

(2) Minimum is defined as fully turned out counter-clockwise.

Table 2. Front Preload with Passenger or Cargo

PASSENGER or CARGO	FRONT FORKS - Del Mar	FRONT FORKS - Mulholland
kg/lb	Additional Turns⁽¹⁾	Additional Turns⁽²⁾
0–9 kg (0–20 lb)	0	0
9–18 kg (20–40 lb)	+1	0
18–27 kg (40–60 lb)	+1	1
27–36 kg (60–80 lb)	+1	1
36–45 kg (80–100 lb)	+1	1
45–54 kg (100–120 lb)	+2	1
54–64 kg (120–140 lb)	+2	2
64–73 kg (140–160 lb)	+2	2
73–82 kg (160–180 lb)	+2	2
82 kg (180 lb) to GVWR	+3	3

(1) Add to the turns required for rider weight.

(2) Add value from table to rider weight preload value.

Table 3. Front Forks Settings

RIDE SETTING	FRONT FORKS - Del Mar⁽¹⁾		FRONT FORKS - Mulholland⁽¹⁾
RIDE SETTING	Rebound	Compression	Rebound	Compression
Sport	0.5	1.5	0.5	1
Standard	1.5	2.5	1.5	2
Comfort	3	3	2.5	3

(1) Damping adjuster settings are done by turning adjuster clockwise until it lightly seats, then counting the turns counter-clockwise to the desired setting.