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'02 RT rear shock has two screws on each side, one is rebound, the other is???
- Thread starter chrisz
- Start date
chrisz
New member
I would have thought the same, but the owner's manual doesn't mention it. When I tried searching online only the rebound and preload were mentioned as possible adjustments? I put the screwdriver to the odd screw and it does turn to a noticeable detent on the various notches. (The shock has been removed from the bike.)
bikerfish1100
New member
Historically, BMW has only offered rebound damping and preload adjustment on their shocks (at best), never compression damping.
how about posting a pic, to help us determine what you're dealing with?
how about posting a pic, to help us determine what you're dealing with?
Manufacturing process.
pglaves
#13338
I am going to take a wild guess: BMW doesn't make struts (shocks). Somebody makes them for them. Who exactly has changed over the years. I don't know who made yours.
But, BMW specifies what it wants. Let's say adjustable preload and adjustable rebound damping. Now BMW isn't the only buyer of that supplier's shocks. So they take an off the shelf shock body and equip it with innards (highly tech term) to meet BMW specifications. If that off the shelf shock body happened to work with both rebound and compression damping but the valving for compression damping were left out of the insides, then an extra adjusting screw that didn't do anything would still be in that off the shelf body.
I think they did, and they did, and they did, and that's what you get.
But, BMW specifies what it wants. Let's say adjustable preload and adjustable rebound damping. Now BMW isn't the only buyer of that supplier's shocks. So they take an off the shelf shock body and equip it with innards (highly tech term) to meet BMW specifications. If that off the shelf shock body happened to work with both rebound and compression damping but the valving for compression damping were left out of the insides, then an extra adjusting screw that didn't do anything would still be in that off the shelf body.
I think they did, and they did, and they did, and that's what you get.
pglaves
#13338
Well of course, Kevin. It and the O ring around it is what keeps the oil from all falling out.
happy wanderer
Day Dreaming ...
If the shock in the photo is the same as yours the big knob is your preload adjuster and the small screw adjusts the rebound damping on an 1100RT. Any others would just be assembly parts. Is that what you are after?
Last edited:
dieselyoda
Active member
dieselyoda
Active member
If I can get a picture of my screw, I will. It can't be turned. The marks are from a stake tool and the edge of one slot has a center punch mark that keeps it from turning. I strongly suspect everyone here is right in assuming it's just a plug with an o-ring on it and it was the oil/gas fill. I would be reluctant to mess with it just in case it leaks. At that point, the shock is now two bouncy bits with a spring.
