Setting up the Wilbers

[Markblox]

Recieved the Wilbers rear shock the other day. it's the full monty with high and low speed compression and peload as well as rebound adjustments. The spring is: 59.59.150.165 This was specified as I'm 14stone, pillion is 12.8lbs and I take up to 45kg when we go away. Most of the time I'm one up with just a top box an tank bag on though. I'm a bit of a numpty with suspension knowledge but as I've just spent £660 I need to know how to get my moneys worth. In the last two days I've been from Sussex to devon and back with the missus and all the camping gear on. I turned up the preload most of the way and set off. After going along a bumpy single track road at high speed I noticed it just couldn't keep up with events. Thats when I checked the other settings! They all should have been 13 clicks but the high and low speed compression were about 8 clicks and the rebound was at about 16. I set the rebound at 13 and the high and low at 15 for the return trip and it's a lot better now.
What I need is advice about what sought of settings I might need for one up and two up without luggage as well as two up with all the gear. I have read something about the rebound should increase as the preload increases.
The spring preload was delivered fully counter clockwise but the paperwork says 16mm ??? I'm under the impression that the more weight on the bike the more it has to be turned up, but how much with just me on the bike?
Help

 

[sproggy]

First the preload. Your shock will be set up with 16mm of 'static preload' on the spring - the hydraulic adjuster will increase it from that.

You will need to increase rebound damping as preload increases - on my rear Wilbers (which doesn't have compression damping adjustment) 6 turns of preload to adjust for having the wife on the back needs 3 more clicks of rebound to keep the rear end in check. But we are both a bit lighter than you and your wife and have a lighter spring fitted too.

On the front I reduced the rebound damping by 1 click because it was a bit harsh over bumps, particularly with a light fuel load. As for compression - adjust it until it feels right over corrugations (high speed damping) and compressions/humps (low speed damping). But if you're a numpty just find the standard compression settings and leave them there - that's why I didn't pay the extra for the compression damping adjustment on mine.

 

[Onwalkabout]

I also have a set of Wilbers with a similar setup. The Wilbers have been great and I can recommend them.

I tried all sorts of settings and as others previously have also found I just made it worse and worse until I went back to the defaults.

My adjustments now consist of;

Passenger and luggage - full preload on the rear - just wind it all the way to the end.
Passenger only - wind the preload to the end and back it off about three clicks
Luggage only - wind to about half way.

I only adjust the front if I am going green laning - making it a little softer

Very unscientific and I will probably be the scorn of many who may come after me with highly detailed descriptions.

 

[Markblox]

That all makes sense. Halfway back yesterday I turned the compression damping up a couple of clicks which firmed it up a bit. Good to know just one up I keep the preload off. How would you have it on a track day? How do you adjust sag? Regards.