| In this article I will briefly familiarize you with the | | | | bottoming. A starting point to adjusting the rear |
| original equipment (o.e.) Kawasaki/Suzuki 65cc | | | | shock is to set race sag at 70-75mm but to not |
| suspension design, tuning tips, and modifications. As a | | | | exceed static sag by 25mm. If meeting the two |
| suspension tuner and motocross hobbyist I have | | | | conditions is not feasible, a different rate shock |
| observed a lot of discussion over o.e. KX/RM65 | | | | spring may be needed. The rebound adjuster can aid |
| suspension. There are numerous message boards | | | | rear end stability and traction. If the rear of the bike |
| filled with ambiguous suspension modifications and | | | | swaps to the sides or kicks up it may be due to too |
| specifications for this motorcycle. | | | | much or lack of rebound dampening. To solve this |
| The front forks on the KX/RM65 are outdated by | | | | turn the rebound adjuster in increments of one turn |
| several decades but can be adjusted for certain riding | | | | and test. Rear traction is often times lost when there |
| conditions. Damper rod forks as found on KX/RM65s | | | | is too much rebound dampening and this may be |
| are outdated since they create an overly progressive | | | | solved by turning the rebound adjuster counter |
| dampening curve (they are too soft initially and too | | | | clockwise one turn. |
| harsh during fast fork movement). The rebound | | | | The o.e. KX/RM65 suspension performance does not |
| adjuster on the front forks can be used to adjust | | | | suffice most competitive motocross riders. There are |
| for some cases of head shake and cornering | | | | two effective popular tuning services available for |
| difficulties. Head shake may occur it can due to too | | | | the KX/RM65 forks. An emulator valve can be |
| much or to little rebound dampening. This may be | | | | installed which offers a less progressive and more |
| fixed by turning the adjuster in increments of two | | | | predictable feel to the front end of the bike. This |
| clicks and test. The rebound adjustment can also aid | | | | mod is sold as a "bolt on kit" but is not effective if |
| with cornering problems. If the bike washes out in | | | | installed in that fashion. Additional damper rod |
| corners, turn the rebound adjuster clockwise in | | | | modifications are needed to tune rebound dampening |
| increments of two clicks. If the bike does not stand | | | | properly. A cartridge system is also available for the |
| back up from corners fast enough, turn the rebound | | | | forks that can be installed after machining of the |
| adjuster out in increments of two clicks. The front of | | | | lower fork legs. This cartridge system can be tuned |
| the bike can also be lowered by moving the forks up | | | | by replacing shims and via rebound and compression |
| in the triple clamps. This may aid in cornering but can | | | | adjustments. The o.e. KX/RM65 rear shock has a lot |
| cause head shake. | | | | of potential and can be tuned by a revalve service. |
| The KX/RM65 models are equipped with a rebuildable | | | | The KX/RM65 suspension may be mediocre initially, |
| rear shock that is mounted to a modern linkage | | | | but with proper suspension tuning services it can |
| system. This system increases the shocks work load | | | | become a very competitive 65cc dirt bike. |
| as the rear suspension compresses further towards | | | | |