Please explain compression and rebound to me.

[Irv]

Got my shocks rebuilt/re-valved in the off season and the last two days I have been trying to get everything dialed in.

I believe I have the rear mono as good as it is going to get but I am having trouble getting my fronts dialed in.

I used Catman's recommendations the last couple years, 3 clicks from soft for both comp and rebound but found this is no longer the best set up after the rebuild.

What I noticed was, a pogo or rocking back and forth feeling in the handle bars, or for those who ride dirtbiles/MX, a head shake if you will.

What I don't understand, is how one effects the other and which one should I adjust the most/least to correct this?

I have seen "Larry's" GYTR shock video (same shocks as on mine) and it helps greatly with the understanding which each feature does, but I have no clue what I should be doing as far as setting them up for the best ride?

Should I play solely with one setting first, ie: compression then move to rebound after or should I do both at the same time?

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks.
(P.S. springs are set to minimum pre-load for more level A-arms and my sled is an 08 Vector 121)

 

[Ultrafrozen]

Hey Irv,

What I've done is backed both off to the softest and started with the compression damper setting. You have to forget about the rebound and concentrate on the impact only. If the front collapses too easily on impact then turn the compression to a harder setting. I like to overshoot and come back until it's good. I then adjust the rebound and set it so the front can come back up fast enough to take the next mogul and not bounce back up too quickly.

The other way is to set it to recommended set-point and adjust from there. I found this hard to do at first because I couldn't break the two motions apart. That's why I start with no rebound damping.

It sounds like you need a little more rebound damping to prevent the pogo bounce.

 

[steiner]

The guy that did my GYTR's suggested four clicks from hard. He said most people he has dealt with this seems to be the best place to start and most also leave it there.
I personaly have not tried mine GYTRs as I am still awaitng parts.

 

[Irv]

Hey Irv,

What I've done is backed both off to the softest and started with the compression damper setting. You have to forget about the rebound and concentrate on the impact only. If the front collapses too easily on impact then turn the compression to a harder setting. I like to overshoot and come back until it's good. I then adjust the rebound and set it so the front can come back up fast enough to take the next mogul and not bounce back up too quickly.

The other way is to set it to recommended set-point and adjust from there. I found this hard to do at first because I couldn't break the two motions apart. That's why I start with no rebound damping.

It sounds like you need a little more rebound damping to prevent the pogo bounce.

At this point UF, I think I will do exactly that, just start at one and get it to where I think it's decent then take it from there with the rebound.

I do know however, watching that vid, both affect one another so I assume there will be further adjustments with the compression after I think I have my rebound set.

My builder suggested middle setting for both (5 and 10) but I did not like that and changed them but couldn't really find a happy medium with the adjustments I did.

Thanks as well Steiner, I will try UF's idea first then try your's if I can't get them to where I want them.

 

[Turtle]

Here's a link to a post I made in the Nytro section. There is a document I uploaded from Ohlins. It was published a few years ago. But it does a great job of explaining the differences between rebound and compression. It also tells you how to set ride height along with explaining what happens when you change different settings.

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=114264&highlight=ohlins

 

[4strokeluvr111]

If your front shock valving is stock and you're basically just a trail cruiser and not a ditchbanger, you're front have to be revalved to match the performace of the rear skid. Stock Yamaha valving is very stiff. There's not near enough adjustments in the clickers to accomplish what is needed.

Just my .02.....

 

[Irv]

Here's a link to a post I made in the Nytro section. There is a document I uploaded from Ohlins. It was published a few years ago. But it does a great job of explaining the differences between rebound and compression. It also tells you how to set ride height along with explaining what happens when you change different settings.

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=114264&highlight=ohlins

Thanks Gade, will read this at home tonight and hopefully learn a thing or two?

4strokeluvr, all shocks were rebuilt/revalved according to my weight and riding style.