REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Tuning a Swinger 4-Way SPV??

2870 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by AL29er, Jan 11, 2010

highdelll

Discussion Starter · Dec 27, 2009 (Edited)

Has anyone tuned a swinger? (Manitou)
To be honest I have not even really researched the SPV too much.
I Have the basic understanding ( I think)
But I'm wondering if I can get in there and maybe do a shim-stack mod?

I'm looking to gain a bit more small bump compliance - ya know, for the the 'chatters'
I'm willing to give up some platform as I believe I have a fairly balanced pedal stroke.
(I have ridden on some bikes w/ shocks that bob w/ a single-pivot (essentially what I have - faux-bar) and I can spin/pedal without inducing too much bob.
Also, I would of course like the mod to be reversible if I don't like it.
other suggestions might include a new shock...-but I do like to tinker

Basically I'd like to know if anyone has torn one apart.

TIA
And happy holidays!

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AL29er

· #2 · Dec 27, 2009

The 4-way doesn't have as much going for it with respect to converting it over to shim stack. The shim stack would remove the stiction/platform, so small bump and high speed movement will improve. Unless you get the shim stack spot-on you are not going to like it much for general riding.

I have a 5th Element that Avalanche converted over. It is a 6-way by Manitou's naming convention. The compression control over the oil flow into the reservoir really helps with the pedaling side of things.

In the end I still think that a converted Swinger/5th is a compromise. Save up a couple hundred bucks and snag something better off e-bay or the classifieds :thumbsup:

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jeffj

· #3 · Dec 27, 2009

Haven't torn one apart, but settings can make a good amount of difference and the 4-way air is fairly tunable with all the settings it comes with.

For better small bump compliance: Back the volume adjuster all the way out so the air spring will be (most) linear. set the static sag at about 30% for starters. Keep the rebound somewhat fast so it won't pack up. Put the minimum into the SPV. The air pressure in your tires can make a difference in small bump performance too.

I had a 4-way air that replaced a Vanilla (coil) shock. IMHO, the Swinger was a much better riding shock for me.

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One Pivot

· #4 · Dec 27, 2009

manitous service manual states its a shim damper, and includes diagrams and pictures of how to disassemble and service it.. i dont see any reason you cant mod the main shim stack..

the spv unit on forks can be shimmed.. it *seems* pretty similar in setup to the shocks.. maybe? or just gut the whole thing and reshim the main damper assembly?

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Flystagg

· #5 · Dec 27, 2009

The newer swingers 2006 or 07+ are shim stack shocks already, on older shocks it is very easy to replace the spv piston with shims, getting a hold of the shims, and finding a stack configureation you like is a the main hurdle. If you are comfortable dissasembling a fork the shock wont be much of a challenge.

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DRAKETHOMAS

· #6 · Jan 10, 2010

I have shim conversions in stock. Thanks.

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One Pivot

· #7 · Jan 10, 2010

for the 05 swingers? i need to get a set of minute lowers to you one of these days too, i screwed up resizing mine.

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DRAKETHOMAS

· #8 · Jan 10, 2010

All coil swingers are the same size bore,while all air swingers are the same size bore. Yes I have them for those model years as well.I have alot of tuned shimstacks for a vatiety of frames and rider weights as well.

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mattsavage

· #9 · Jan 11, 2010

DRAKETHOMAS said:
All coil swingers are the same size bore,while all air swingers are the same size bore. Yes I have them for those model years as well.I have alot of tuned shimstacks for a vatiety of frames and rider weights as well.

If you shim the Swinger, is the volume adjuster/bottom out still functional?

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AL29er

· #10 · Jan 11, 2010

mattsavage said:
If you shim the Swinger, is the volume adjuster/bottom out still functional?

Yes, but they don't have as much effect since you no longer have the SPV in there. The pressure and volume of air in the canister still has effect on the compression. I had my 5th converted by Avalanche. He sets the pressure in accordance to rider weight and bike, but still has the volume adjust available to change bottom out resistance.

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