P500 Elka stage 1

[Yomama101]

Any issues with doing the adjustments without removing the shocks?

I'll be sure to make notes/measurements of my starting points.

Sure am glad they ask all those questions. Maybe I should have said I race it, instead of trail riding. Which is hilarious to anyone that's ridden with me!

Same here. The fronts seemed real soft. Coming off some small shelf's it would bottom out hard. Never had to remove to adjust. I usually lift the Honda up enough to take the weight off the tires for maximum droop in the suspension then adjust the preload collars. I use a 1/4 drill bit with heat shrink on it and just use the shank. Fits the collars perfectly. This with an Allen wrench is all I need. This little kit with the lug socket stays in the glove compartment.

 

[crewcabrob]

I adjust mine with just taking some weight off the shock I plan to adjust. No issues

 

[DocBo]

Got mine installed today and took a ride over some high speed bumps. WOW! What a difference. Where I used to pogo, the machine felt planted and in control. The stock settings from Elka were a 1/2 inch higher than the stock shocks. I will leave them set until I can get out on some trails.

by the way, Elka included an adjusting tool and hex wrench that I placed with the owners manual under the seat.

Cannot wait for the Pioneer takeover!

 

[slimshaney]

Weighing my options for shocks. Would there be any issues or benefits of running stage 3 fronts, and stage 1 rears? I do plow very very rarely, so thought the adjustabliity of stage 3's in front would be good? Any thoughts?

 

[crewcabrob]

Hi,

I'm not sure that there would be any real benefit to running the more expensive shocks up front. You can adjust the preload on Stage 1, which is what you would need to do to compensate for the weight of the plow, Rebound and compression would make little to no difference... it would also be highly unlikely that you would get the benefit from the external oil reservoir. If you were going with a new set, I would either go all stage 1 or all stage 3.

Just my opinion...

 

[DocBo]

^^^ He's right ^^^

 

[LandofCheese]

My stage ones haven't gotten touched after I installed them..... I also have a 66" plow on the front in winter. It does just fine.

 

[trigger]

My stage ones haven't gotten touched after I installed them..... I also have a 66" plow on the front in winter. It does just fine.

That was going to be my comment too. I put WE's on all four and had to tweak them a couple of times but since then they've been at the same setting for yrs now.

 

[JCart]

May have been noted in here already, when new I undid the lock ring Allen head bolt and put quality anti-seize paste on the threads (suggested by nuther member in here who I can’t remember, apologies). My thoughts over time as the Allan’s are stainless(?) and the lock rings are aluminum plus water and other keerap may work in there anti-seize can’t hurt. As I recall I have only adjusted the lock ring ride height once and have fiddled with the valving a couple times, (stage 3 Elkas). Adjusting valving does make a difference mine are set to no Pohgo… smooth controlled pillowy ride…. Yaaaas!

 

[slimshaney]

Hi,

I'm not sure that there would be any real benefit to running the more expensive shocks up front. You can adjust the preload on Stage 1, which is what you would need to do to compensate for the weight of the plow, Rebound and compression would make little to no difference... it would also be highly unlikely that you would get the benefit from the external oil reservoir. If you were going with a new set, I would either go all stage 1 or all stage 3.

Just my opinion...

Great feedback! Looks like a will be ordering a set of stage 1. thanks