My new bandits are do any day now for the zforce trail.

I just need a little advice, when setting your preload should I mark the shock and measure to set the new springs back to the same amount or is there a better method to keep an original ride height or better but still be using the spring to its full benefit?

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

My new bandits are do any day now for the zforce trail.

I just need a little advice, when setting your preload should I mark the shock and measure to set the new springs back to the same amount or is there a better method to keep an original ride height or better but still be using the spring to its full benefit?

The new springs are not only a different rate then the old ones but also a bit linger so using the old setting locations won't work. Best thing is a two-step approach. First, get an accurate ground height before doing anything front and back by bouncing down on the front and back three times, then take a measurement from the bottom of the hitch to the ground and from the front side of the center skid plate in front. Write this down. Next remove both fronts or rears, release the lock ring and as you start to spin the adjuster ring to back off one turn, turn it back on to that same position and get a feel as to how much load is on that ring...no beers yet!...lol. When you install the new Bandits try and set that same feel. Then measure accurately with a micrometer if you have one, the distance from the adjuster ring upper surface to the head plate and lock it with the lock ring lightly as you may need some extra adjustments later.  Now do the other one and just give it the same preload measurement. Reinstall those shocks and do the others. Once all are back on the machine do the bounce-thing again and take your measurements. Do what you need to to get the readings you want but be sure to do the exact same to each side...remember, a little goes a long way so if you are close, go 1/4 or 1/2 turns at a time. Count the 1/4 turns or measure that distance again. Do both before taking another ground measurement. While the shocks are off might as well grease the eyelets. They are usually dry as hell. I have some pics and vids that might help if you need. Good luck. You are going to love the springs
 

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

These were my start settings which were off by only a couple of turns.





For the front you might need something to compress the new spring as it is slightly longer then the OE. I used this HL spring compressor as a model and built my own:

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Shock service vid:

https://youtu.be/4pZbYVTdB5g

Awesome much thanks that will help me get a base to start from.

Being a trailer I dont want to add any major lift but would an inch be okay plus it minus a 1/2 if I choose to. Seems from what I have a read I can get maybe an inch of lift and still have a way better ride then the stock's.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Awesome much thanks that will help me get a base to start from.

Being a trailer I dont want to add any major lift but would an inch be okay plus it minus a 1/2 if I choose to. Seems from what I have a read I can get maybe an inch of lift and still have a way better ride then the stock's.

Probably OK. The thing to remember is the best place to run the suspension is in the center of it's travel loaded..by loaded I mean with you and any other load onboard. Now that means centered 50% of the total travel is compression from that position and 50% is rebound from that position. We cal that 50/50. You can take it to 60/40 with no terrible ride repercussions. It will be stiffer because you will have more preload on it. But you will get that inch you want so..give it a try. The CV joints won't be maxed-out so they should be fine. Now lets talk about ride height and angle of attack. When you are done, with a full load onboard, measuring from the front of the one piece skid plate and the back of the skid plate to the level floor, you want the front level to 1/2" lower then the back. For example, if you measure 10" at the back of the skid plate you want 9.5-10" in the front. You will need some help to do this because you and maybe the Mrs. have to be in it to take these measurements. And again, small 1/4-1/2 turns on the preload at a time. A little goes a long way. 

hmm

i used stock settings with bandit springs and it rides perfect while softer and giving me another 1.5" ground clearance

hmm

i used stock settings with bandit springs and it rides perfect while softer and giving me another 1.5" ground clearance

Oh thats kinda what I was hoping for, even an inch would be good I am sitting right now at about 9 Inches of ground clearance with no passengers doing the x3 jump compression test

I checked where my preload ended up after installing/adjusting my bandit springs.
I'm wound up a little tighter than NMK above.
35mm in the front
95mm in the rear
Which gives me the following ride height.
11.25" at skidplate front
11" at skidplate rear

For reference, based on my notes, I was getting about 1/2" ride height change per 5mm preload adjustment on bandit springs.
My stock ride height with stock springs was about 10.5" front, 9.75" rear.

(my measurements are all with no occupants)

What exactly are the Bandit springs you are using, make and model is what I'm looking for! Thanks

https://www.banditutvsuspension.com/cf-moto-1