Suspension Quick Set-Up Guide

Content Source: 2019 Timbersled ARO Owner’s Manual (9928986 R03) > The Perfect Fit Chapter

IMPORTANT

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Suspension Quick Set-Up Guide

Introduction

The front and rear suspensions on your Timbersled snow bike are easy to adjust. Just remember three simple steps:

Ride your snow bike.
Adjust the rear track shock spring to tune vehicle balance (ski pressure and weight transfer).
Adjust shock clickers (if equipped) to tune ride quality (stiffer or softer ride).

Step 1: Ride your Timbersled snow bike.

Ride the snow bike in various terrain to fully experience the existing suspension settings before making any adjustments.

Step 2: Adjust the rear spring to tune vehicle balance.

After riding, you should be able to determine if the snow bike needs more or less transfer.

For more transfer, decrease the rear track spring preload.
For less transfer, increase the rear track spring preload.

If you prefer lighter steering on your snow bike, decrease the rear track spring preload or increase the front track shock spring preload.

Step 3: Adjust shock clickers (if equipped) for ride quality.

For models equipped with monotube shocks, always adjust the rear track shock spring preload to enhance bottoming resistance.

For models with shock clickers, you can adjust the clickers to control bottoming and adjust ride comfort.

Turn a clicker counter-clockwise to decrease damping for a softer ride.
Turn a clicker clockwise to increase damping for a stiffer ride and less bottoming.

Test ride the snow bike and continue making spring and clicker adjustments until you achieve the perfect ride.

FOX Zero Pro Coil Over Shocks (Standard ARO 120 and ARO 137 Models)

The only adjustment the Fox Coil Over shocks have is the spring pre-load. This is measured by comparing the preloaded length and extended length of the spring (Extended length is 8”). Adjusting is not recommended from the factory settings. Although, if adjustment is needed never adjust beyond the parameters below. Suspension or shock failure will occur.

Extended length of both front and rear springs is 8”.
A minimum of 1/8” preload is required to keep the spring retainer from falling out.
The springs have a maximum preload of 1-1/4”. Any more will cause the spring to coil bind before the suspension bottoms out.

Shock Compression Damping (120 LE, 120 SX, 120 SX Race, 129 LE, and 137 LE models)

The primary adjustment for overall vehicle balance is Rear Track Shock (RTS) spring preload. Perform this adjustment first. After adjusting RTS spring preload to your satisfaction, compression damping adjustments can be made to control ride quality and bottoming resistance.

To stop bottoming of the front or rear suspension (stiffer ride), rotate the clicker(s) clockwise one click at a time (as viewed from the right side of the Timbersled), then test ride. Repeat the adjustment until bottoming stops and the desired ride quality is achieved.

For a more plush ride at the front or rear suspension, rotate the clicker(s) counter-clockwise two clicks, then test ride. Repeat the adjustment until the desired ride quality is achieved.

Front Track Shock Spring Settings

Factory settings, combined with user adjustments to the front track shock spring, should be all that’s necessary to provide the best riding experience for most riders. Always perform shock spring preload adjustments with the weight of the vehicle removed from the shock and with the shock at full extension.

NOTICE

Never adjust spring preload to an installed length longer than the factory length or shorter than the minimum length as shown in the following chart. Damage to the suspension could result. When decreasing preload, make sure at least two turns of preload are holding the retainer against the spring.

Front Track Shock	Spring Rate	Factory Installed Length	Max. Installed Length	Min. Installed Length
FOX Zero Pro	150	7–3/4”	7–7/8”	7–7/16” (coil bind)
FOX QS3	150	7–3/4”	7–7/8”	7–7/16” (coil bind)
FOX 1.5 ZERO LSC-R	200	7–13/16”	7–7/8”	7–9/16” (coil bind)

Rear Track Shock Spring Settings

Always perform shock spring preload adjustments with the weight of the vehicle removed from the shock and with the shock at full extension.

If adjustments to the factory-installed springs are not sufficient for riders over 300 lbs. (136 kg), optional stiffer springs are available. Your Timbersled dealer can assist.

Front Track Shock	Spring Rate	Factory Installed Length	Max. Installed Length	Min. Installed Length
FOX Zero Pro	175	7–7/8”	7–7/8”	7–9/16” (coil bind)
FOX QS3	175	7–7/8”	7–7/8”	7–9/16” (coil bind)
FOX 1.5 ZERO LSC-R	200	7–13/16”	7–7/8”	7–9/16” (coil bind)

TSS Shock Tuning

The TSS suspension system is intended to work in harmony with the in track rear suspension that create a dual rear suspension feel that is unique to a Timbersled snow bike. It is not intended to have a soft squishy feel like the stock motorcycle rear suspension. It is important to not try and tune it to feel this way. For maximum suspension performance follow the tuning instructions.

The TSS shock is preset from the factory with 260 psi. This is tuned best for a 150 lbs. to 200 lbs. rider. Your kit includes a 300 psi Fox Float air pump to adjust the spring rate and preload of the TSS shock. Your shock will have a sticker on it with the air pressure tuning parameters and recommendations to best fit your body weight.

Suggested TSS Pressures
Rider Weight (lbs)	PSI
Minimum	200
Factory	260
Maximum	400

To tune the TSS shock, do the following:

Take the weight off the shock by lifting the bike from under the engine or tipping it on its side.
Remove the silver valve cap.

Thread the pump onto the valve-stem until the pump pressures up and you will be able to see the supplied pressure on the gauge.

NOTE

When the pump pressures up the shock instantly loses 20 psi from the volume it takes to fill the pump hose. You will need to compensate for this when checking pressures.

When finished, unthread the pump. You will hear it release air, but will not affect the exact pressure you gave it. When tuning your TSS shock it is best to change air pressure in increments of 25 psi at a time.

NOTE

When tuning your TSS shock it is best to change air pressure in increments of 25 psi at a time. Be very careful to not get snow or water inside the valve stem; this can cause the shock to leak air.

For a more refined tuning method the TSS shock has an O-ring on the outer shock body. This O-ring is intended to be a gauge to show how much travel you are using. The TSS shock has a max travel distance of 1.5” to bottom out. It is recommended that the targeted amount of shock travel used is 1-1/8” of stroke. Tune in increments of 25 psi to accomplish perfect calibration.

NOTE

Once you have made an adjustment slide the O-ring back down and ride for approximately 10 minutes before rechecking your shock travel distance.