Going to buy a 4 stroke...your input please

[Stormbringr1]

You're adding another variable. The question was the STRAPS. If all else is equal, tightening the STRAPS will INCREASE the pressure on the skis.

If you reduce the preload on the front springs, that will transfer more of the front weight onto the center springs (where the straps are).

If you want to reduce your approach by tightening the straps and compensate for the increased ski pressure by loosening the front preload, you can, and you will lower the COG, but to make any appreciable difference without having too high of ski pressure, 1) you'll have to lower the front a LOT, which will affect bump handling capabilities, 2) your suspension will be at the wrong angle with respect to its mounts on the tunnel, which will result in poor performance on bumps and poor weight transfer.

If your objective (from the sound of your question) is to reduce COG, then you may find that without sucking in the straps, you will experienced too light of ski pressure resulting in poor steering and lateral instability.

As always...thanks so much for your courtesy and informed advice, LB. On the '05...there are 4 sets of holes through which the straps can be bolted. The stock setting is the top set...and they appear to be about 1/2 inch apart. With setting front spring preload to MIN...would you recommend going one set of holes down on the strap or more?

 

[LazyBastard]

Its hard for me to say how far you should go, since I haven't worked with an 05 suspension yet.

I'll give you what I recommend for 03 and 04's, and you can take it for what its worth....

On the 03 and 04's, the first thing I recommend is putting the ski preload on min, then the transfer on min. Then to crank in the straps until it drives exactly as heavy on the skis as you would ever like it to drive. Then you tune the ski pressure by adjusting the transfer control rod(s).


Now unfortunately, the 05 is less adjustable than the 03 and 04's. With the older suspensions, we had bolts that would give us a very high precision in our strap adjustments, so we could really fine tune it. You are limited by the placement of the holes in the straps. In addition, with the 05 it is a little more involved to adjust the straps than to just reach under with a #10 wrench. I'm not even sure if its possible without removing the suspension.

 

[Stormbringr1]

Now unfortunately, the 05 is less adjustable than the 03 and 04's. With the older suspensions, we had bolts that would give us a very high precision in our strap adjustments, so we could really fine tune it. You are limited by the placement of the holes in the straps. In addition, with the 05 it is a little more involved to adjust the straps than to just reach under with a #10 wrench. I'm not even sure if its possible without removing the suspension.

With just a good educated guess, LB...with the margin that the front is lowered through reducing preload...and attempting to only have to go through the hassle of changing the straps once...would you go one set of holes down...or more?

 

[LazyBastard]

Hearing that these 05's are extremely heavy on the transfer already... and that some people have actually been trying to figure out how to reduce it some, I might *guess* at two holes, but I have to point out that I don't even know how far apart the holes are.

 

[Stormbringr1]

Hearing that these 05's are extremely heavy on the transfer already... and that some people have actually been trying to figure out how to reduce it some, I might *guess* at two holes, but I have to point out that I don't even know how far apart the holes are.

Thanks, LB. Each row looks to be separated by about 1/2 inch...so unless that changes your opinion...that's what I'll go with...pulling it up 2 rows...or about 1 inch.

 

[LazyBastard]

Let me know how it works out with the two holes so we can narrow it down for future reference.

 

[Stormbringr1]

Let me know how it works out with the two holes so we can narrow it down for future reference.

Absolutely! Thanks again, LB.