CCM pain in the arse(literally)

[Jak*]

Hi, when I took my GP450 to Stafford Motorcycles for it's first service last week (excellent service and really friendly people who seem to know what they are doing) they asked how I was getting on with it. They were surprised when I commented that although the motor was great and it was loads of fun to ride it was the most uncomfortable bike I had ridden since I borrowed a 1970s hardtailed Chop. They let me take Jo's bike for a test ride and it was like the one I road at the factory, it just seemed to glide over every bump, whereas mine fells like someone has kicked you up the backside every time you hit a ripple in the surface. Now I didn't have the remote pre load fitted as the factory set up bike just went from the tarmac to the trail with no need for adjustment. Having spoken to Christofer at the factory he emailed me the Tractive manual (see attached) which wasn't on my stick I got with the bike. It stills looks like a nightmare to adjust the suspension, has anyone else done this and is there an easy solution?
At the moment I am now concentrating on servicing my Guzzi Cali III as I can't imagine taking the CCM on my forth coming trip and still being able to walk at the end of it.
Cheers Jak

[Tramp]

Set up suspension properly for where you ride ..on my ccm644 with whitepower i dont need to alter from.road to trail...have the preload slightly harder as i normally ride with some luggage 20kg max...and mine is so comfy even on 2000 mls euro trips....

[Sanqhar]

Can't see the attachment!

I find the standard (low) seat extremely uncomfortable. I need at least a "2 hour" seat. I struggle to get much more than an hour out of mine.

Let us know the settings you end up with.

Tom

[Whippet]

My GP 450 is as comfortable as my 1200rt, I kid you not. I have the high seat and the manual pre load on the suspension , as Tramp says once the suspension is set up , Tarmac to off road is simple (thumbs)

[Mike54]

what makes it hard to adjust the preload?

[Jak*]

Hi, sorry the Tractive manual seems to be too large to attach. I will e-mail it to anyone if they send me a PM.
The pre load is hard to adjust because there is so little space. I will try to put some photos on when I get a chance.
cheers Jak

[Tramp]

Jak...all premium suspension is basically the same get rear spring for your riding weight...then adjust sag on preload...then adjust the compression and rebound ..start in middle ....front is same...my ccm rear preload requires a long drift with rear wheel off ground so no weight ...

Ask minky as his first bike had traktive....

Im 10.25 stone and run compression rebound in middle setting the suspension only works riding.

Sitting on bike bonging up and down does nowt lol...ive learnt from.folks so passing on what little i know...

[Chasbmw]

Done 2500 miles on my short seat version 450, maximum discomfort at around 50 miles then gets better.
I use a sheepskin on the seat.
Best suspension I've had on any bike, the way it just swallows up the road is great, and pin sharp steering with brilliant stability. Works well for me but the guys at Torque racing did set up the suspension when they lowered the bike down to 830mm seat height .

Last tankful was 69mpg

[Jak*]

Thanks for the replies. I have adjusted the preload by clamping the bike down to my workbench and using some tie down straps to compress the rear spring which I then put some heavy duty cable ties around. I then lifted the bike up in the air and was able to adjust the preload. I have only ridden it down the road and back and it seems a bit better but now it sits so low that the side stand only just works and I think I will be scraping the pegs on every bend. I maybe need to bring it back a couple of turns.
Cheers Jak
I have tried attaching the file again.

[Jak*]

Thanks for the replies. I have adjusted the preload by clamping the bike down to my workbench and using some tie down straps to compress the rear spring which I then put some heavy duty cable ties around. I then lifted the bike up in the air and was able to adjust the preload. I have only ridden it down the road and back and it seems a bit better but now it sits so low that the side stand only just works and I think I will be scraping the pegs on every bend. I maybe need to bring it back a couple of turns.
Cheers Jak
I hace tried attaching the file again.