Rear shock preload adjustment help

[Guest]

How do you all adjust the lower shock preload setting.. .....
Without the special hook tool?
I dont have one and my 650 is set on "8 year old boy ".....the softest preload. I need it maxed out on stiffness.
Any methods you use with no tool? I got out the giant vice grips.....um, nope, not gonna leave teeth marks in my shocks. I thought better....for once

[Agemax]

not sure if a strap wrench will grip it well enough?

[loud et]

not sure if a strap wrench will grip it well enough?

Im equipt with most tools here....have not tried anything yet. Im just sitting on my porch enjoying the sun for now. Lol
I thought of a spring compressor( which i dont actually have)......then it could easily be turned with a strap wrench or almost by hand.
Thinking.....thinking......

[Agemax]

with a spring compressor even the 8 year old would be able to turn it by hand, lol.
with the bike on the mainstand or the back wheel off the ground, so no weight on the spring you should be able to tap the adjuster round with an aluminium drift, without marking it

[bwringer]

Crikey, this ain't hard...

Pad the jaws of a large pair of Channel-Lock pliers with a rag. I have a thick piece of leather I use for stuff like this. A couple of layers of old innertube also work.

Some stock shocks have a little round fitting on the collar that is the perfect size for the shaft of the tool kit screwdriver.

[loud et]

Right on guys.....I think the padding route will work.
These 650 shocks are pretty wimpy too.
Ill go see what i come up with.
Thx!

[loud et]

No prob. Done.
Channel locks and padding.
The first notch was the hardest because of probably never really being moved before and road grit/ light rust. After that the adjustment collar moved easily.....
Thanks!
A quick bounce on the seat shows these are still lightweight shocks. But much better nonetheless.