How to tune Valves & Shim Stacks | Offroad Engineered

Valving and shim stacks are probably the least understood topic in the dirt bike community, not only because it's a complex and subjective topic by itself, but because there's little information available... Not anymore!
Want to learn how to take full advantage of your suspensions adjustments? Check out our online courses:
stepstopodium.com/courses/fro...
Still have questions regarding this topic? Check out our personalised technical sessions:
www.stepstopodium.com/technic...
If you can, take a look at these Offroad Engineered episodes first:
Ep.1 - • How dirt bike suspensi...
Ep.2 - • How cartridge front fo...
Ep.3 - • The difference between...
Ep.4 - • How a dirt bike Shock ...
0:00 Intro
0:27 The birth of shim stacks & valves
1:10 Anatomy of shim stack valves
2:05 How tapered single-stage shim stacks work
3:00 How tapered double-stage shim stacks work
4:08 Changing the ports
5:04 Changing the shims
7:00 How it affects the damping curve
10:32 Tuning experience
11:12 End
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Music by:
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Cheers!
#Tuning #ShimStacks #Valving

[@topstar3]

I must have watched this video 30 times already. You sir, are amazing at explaining this stuff. Your animations are amazing, you speak slowly and concisely and pause so that the information can "stick" in my brain. THANK YOU for your work on this topic! I was able to revalve my own suspension and the results were amazing!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much for the amazing feedback!!! 🙌🙌🙌 that is exactly the goal of these videos, to help the average joe understand what has been considered too complex to do 💪 you sir, just made my week!

[@pereirasergioa]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@Thermal694]

+1 Here at least 30 times

[@StepstoPodium]

🙏🙏🙌🙌💪

[@christoph3500]

@@StepstoPodium ya me too - thx a lot for all the provided information

[@olasod1]

Im 56 and have done my own suspension last 40 years. This video is by far the best one I have ever seen. I knew only 50% of what you show. Excellent done 👍🏼🙏.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you!! Im glad I can help you with that! 😄🙌

[@dirtrooster450]

Best tuning video ever! The quality of your videos are second to none. Thanks for helping us guys that like to do our own work but don't always have all of the information.

[@StepstoPodium]

Im so so happy to hear that! I really appreciate it 😊 if you think it's worth it, share the video with your mates, it helps the channel 💪

[@mxtuner3351]

I Have to hand it to you. I've been doing suspension for going on 30 years. I've never seen an explanation so clear and (this is what I find extremely rare) accurate information. And your point about changing the shims is the easy part. Knowing which shims to change to accomplish what a rider needs is the hard part that only experience with different suspensions and different riders will take decades to learn. Great diagrams got your point across perfectly. Very good job, guys!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much 🙏🙌 I really appreciate it, specially coming from an experienced tuner 😄💪true indeed, knowing what you can change is one thing, knowing which one to change is another ball game that only experience will get you 👌

[@andrewstambaugh8030]

@@StepstoPodium But you did give us enough info to see where we are at and pick the most reasonable part to try changing. *How far/how much, well that will take exp, but at least we have the right map to work off of now.*

[@StepstoPodium]

I'm really glad I could help 🙌🙌

[@SM-yq9ig]

Your giving away our trade secrets!!!! This is like a Magician revealing the secret To the tricks..

[@StepstoPodium]

Knowledge shouldn't be a secret and our trade should be selling experience instead of knowledge.

[@SM-yq9ig]

@@StepstoPodium knowledge isn’t, it can be bought and borrowed from someone.. but wisdom.. now that’s the secret to life!

[@250txc]

I'm back for a refresher on your outstanding, easy to understand, shim \ valving video!

[@StepstoPodium]

Ahah! 😄 thank you so much for the comment 🙌

[@timsilva1944]

Outstanding!! I had some idea how this works, but the animation with the graph towards the end really puts it all together to achieve a desired result. 👍👍

[@StepstoPodium]

I'm glad it helped! :) enjoy 💪

[@MrBrandonh98]

Best explanation on the internet! Thank you!

[@6Twisted]

Thank you for this simple explanation. My 2022 WR450F is far too harsh for trail riding. I did a 150 mile ride last week and I was in agony for the second half and I still have shoulder pain. Having too much damping is dangerous because it leads to early fatigue which leads to more mistakes or whiskey throttle.

[@hachtenduro7824]

Great explanation of a complex topic. Much better than anything I found so far. Still a normal user should not think it is easy to figure out the right modification. It should be left to experts. Instead of try and error expert calculations are much more efficient. One thing is not correct. Single stage shim stacks do not create a linear relation between stroke speed and damping force. The relation is degressive, creating too little damping in large movements etc.. Two stages can linearize the relation. Or a combination of valves (basevalve single stage and midvalve with float) --> a great source for such information is the Restackor software and related documentation internet pages.

[@fishtailfuture]

First time I've ever seen this showed so open. This just popped in my feed. But I have been searching for this kind of info on and off for years.

[@StepstoPodium]

Knowledge is power Ryan 😄💪

[@JohnVanHolt]

Thanks for providing a basic understanding of shim stacks. It makes a lot of sense now why tuners who have a lot experience are desired. The principles seem relatively simple, but the application is difficult!

[@TheMadMagician87]

Excellent, nice clear information. I love the combination of the changes to the animation on the left being reflected with animated changes on the graph to the right, makes it very intuitive!

[@StepstoPodium]

It was the ultimate goal! I'm happy to know it served its purpose!! :D

[@nvmcrider8475]

This is the best suspension video that I have seen on youtube so far. Thanks for passing on your knowledge.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words! 💪💪💪

[@robmcmillan7192]

Wow, just wow. I’ve been looking for this science explained for a long time. Excellent, excelllent, excellent!

[@StepstoPodium]

I'm really glad I could help Rob!! Thank you for watching and share the video with your mates 😁💪

[@bsujantob]

Super quality explanation video. The best I have ever found so far.

[@Africatwin93]

Fantastically explained. Thank you

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much!

[@carters2]

Excellent visuals and explanation. Thanks!

[@StepstoPodium]

💪💪💪👌👌👌

[@stevecoble8271]

Thank you for taking the time to make these videos! Keep them coming.

[@StepstoPodium]

I appreciate it and you can count on it 🙌💪

[@jeffgasparitsch8585]

Brilliant visualization, thank you!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching and don't forget to subscribe 😄

[@ryantaft1757]

This is a perfect explanation! Thank you so much!

[@StepstoPodium]

Glad I could help and thank you for watching 🙌😊

[@jaybosher6144]

This is an amazing explanation of suspension and tuning. Thank you for this 👍

[@StepstoPodium]

I appreciate it and thank you for watching! 💪

[@timbirkmann9898]

Thank you for these amazing videos! Keep it up, man!

[@StepstoPodium]

I appreciate it and I hope it helped you somehow!😊🙌 Some more are o the making 😁

[@neildxb]

Very helpful video, thanks!

[@StepstoPodium]

Glad it could help 😄

[@rahgahnah]

Awesome explanation. Thank you!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank yoy for watching and share ir with your mates! 😄

[@andrewstambaugh8030]

The visual graphs and sliding things around as you changed aspects made this much easier to understand. I feel like I could now go out and buy shims and improve each of the bikes I have owned. (something I could not have done before)

[@enduringpursuit]

Thank you for sharing this information. The way you teach completely meshed with me.

[@StepstoPodium]

Im super glad to hear that!!! 💪💪 thank you!

[@therealdirtydan589]

Finely someone explains this stuff!!! 🙌🙌🔥

[@StepstoPodium]

I'm glad you found it useful!! Thank you for watching 💪💪

[@finno2980]

I have only recently found your channel, and thanks to your clear and concise explanations I’ve learnt so much. Thank you and great work! Subscribed

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank yoouuu! 🙌🙂

[@chlipek1979]

Wow 😳 This can NOT be explained better. Thank you

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you! 😄 don't forget to share with your mates 💪

[@mazdar100]

Best. Description. Ever. Thank you

[@StepstoPodium]

It was actually wrong! 😂 thanks for the heads up! 💪that was tge description of the next offroad engineered video 😛

[@roadrider1100]

Awesome graphics - really helps in visualizing what is happening!!!

[@nickrider5220]

Thanks, best explanation I've found 👍

[@StepstoPodium]

🙌🙌🙌

[@Motomarsh]

I have been waiting for a video like this for years and years. great visual aides as well

[@StepstoPodium]

Glad I could help! 😄👍

[@iskraenduro4155]

So much knowledge in ten minutes! Thanks Bro! Specifically and substantivelys:)

[@StepstoPodium]

Glad I could help! Thank you for watching 🙌👌😀

[@mxcollin95]

Your channel is EXCELLENT! Please keep up the great content. 👍

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much Colin!! I truly appreciate it 🙌 will do so 😁👌

[@gupomper]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching!! 😄😄

[@ericmurillo1526]

Wow, what an awesome video! I will certainly be back to reference this countless times!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much Eric! 💪😊

[@epp1733]

Excellent explanation... Now it's getting a little easier to understand how suspension works...👏👏👏

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much! 🙌 Then I feel like my job is done 💪 don't forget to share the video with your riding buddies 😁👌

[@organicgun]

Awesome video thanks for posting.

[@StepstoPodium]

🙌🙌🙌💪💪💪👌

[@enduro-parts-aus]

This has really given me a basic understanding of how it all works , great explanation Thanks so much 👍🏻

[@StepstoPodium]

I really appreciate it! Thank you for watching 🙌🙂

[@jeffbrown6880]

That was awesome, your explanation and visuals are brilliant. I now understand how the valve/shim stack works. Thanks you (New subscriber)

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you Jeff for watching! 😊 I'm really glad to hear that and thank for subscribing 💪

[@Max10procent-over-tomgang]

Thanks for the help explaining how this works, realy helps a lot. Great video 👍

[@StepstoPodium]

Glad I could help! Don't forget to subscribe 💪

[@DrJeff-vn1st]

Thank you so much for this video, first time I have heard of an explanation that makes sense about valving!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much for the comment and for watching! 🙌💪💪

[@americandirtrider7662]

This is the info I've been searching for!! Great use of the visuals. Thank you so much

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching! 🙌😊 if you think it's worth sharing, I'll be greatly appreciated 💪💪

[@americandirtrider7662]

@@StepstoPodium Most definitely!

[@darrellmabry699]

That was very informative. Helps me understand what's going on with my suspension on the inside.

[@StepstoPodium]

Glad to hear that! 😄🙌

[@jamesbramblett3346]

Wow! Your a genius and a GREAT instructor. Thanks so much 🙌🏻 I’m subbed

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank yooouu James! I really appreciate it 🙌💪

[@ShonkyProductions]

Awesome video, I wish I found it sooner. I understand it so much better now. I will be making some adjustments to the shim stacks in my bikes today!

[@StepstoPodium]

Glad I could help! That's the point of the video, to take the magic out if it 😄💪

[@borjafat]

I cant even begin to express how amazed I am by this video. Amazing work, editing and information. I would have payed to learn this. Thanks

[@StepstoPodium]

I truly appreciate it Borja 🙌 it means a lot! If you have further questions regarding this topic (and if you wish to support the channel 😁) we have technical sessions available 💪 www.stepstopodium.com/technicalsessions

[@halflife82]

Thank you for posting this video. I didn’t fully understand the transition between low and high speed stacks previous to watching this. I really appreciate it. Now you need one for rebound which applies the same principles in reverse! Haha

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching! 😄🙌

[@ejgrant5191]

Great video on what is often described as a "black art" of mystery....You have helped me understand the relationships of the shim packs to their effect on dampner performance....Thanks for making this great video! 👍

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching! I really appreciate it 🙂🙌

[@codyjames8424]

great video! the most ive learned about suspension from one video!

[@StepstoPodium]

Happy to hear that! Keep em watching 😄💪

[@boosted_2j]

Been looking for a video like irs for hours man. Thanks. This is so much more understandable. And what i was looking for.

[@StepstoPodium]

Glad I could help 🙂🙌

[@nunogens]

Top quality content as always! 👌

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much Nuno! 🙌🙌 Only one more episode to have the full suspension "course" available! Next up: The mid-speed valve!

[@gordonlight6048]

I never feel like my time is wasted watching your videos! Clear, concise, and informative. Great job!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much Gordon!! 🙌🙏

[@theenduropest]

hands down best vid!! thankyou!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching! 🙌 don't forget to share it 💪💪

[@flangesprocket100]

Wow, what a genius piece of design! Thanks for the excellent explanation!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank yooouuu 🙌

[@rickriede2166]

I really enjoy your informative and detailed videos.Btw.You were great in The Big Lebowski.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thanks 🤣🤣🤣

[@doronn7884]

wow, Mind Blowing! A million thanks.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching!! 🙌🙌💪

[@brandonross152]

thank you, very well explained.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thanks for watching Brandon! 😊 if you think it's worth sharing, I'll be greatly appreciated 💪💪

[@WhoomanBeing]

Definitely a good video!

[@Dropsix]

Really great info, thanks for this

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching! 🙌

[@dustinenduro44]

Best video I've seen to date that answers all the questions I previously had about shims. You Sir... Are the man!

[@StepstoPodium]

I'm glad to hear that! 😊 don't forget to share it with your mates 💪😁

[@NirHason]

You, Sir, NAILED IT!

[@StepstoPodium]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 thank you!!!

[@vincenttyson9457]

Great video! Very hard to find this kind of info

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank yyoouuuu

[@tonyd7164]

holy smokes! I love youtube. this video is amazing. so much information I've always wanted to know. Thank you very much.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching! Glad I could help 🙂

[@bremerbikeservice8061]

Thats real good! Also for MTBs Suspension its a perfect training in theory! THANKS FOR THAT!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching! 😄🙌

[@jaj07]

Great explanation, thanks!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching! 🙌💪

[@andrewstambaugh240]

I now feel like i could buy shims and get a bike to superb on a budget. Thanks so much for putting this out there. This video deserves a sticky on KZbin

[@StepstoPodium]

I really hope it helps you do that! Knowledge is power 😄 I really appreciate the comment 💪

[@fredradou67]

Just great video!

[@StepstoPodium]

🙌🙏

[@czechjoint]

this is top video ever about shim stack and valve tunning

[@StepstoPodium]

🙌🙌🙌💪

[@250txc]

​ @StepstoPodium I have to admit that I finally made a change to soften my KYB 48mm forks for the better on trails \ rough terrain. *This ~miracle was accomplished heavily due to the examples towards the end of this video where you show what the slightly different shim configurations make on the overall action of the forks.*

[@StepstoPodium]

God damn man! You just made my day! 🥳 really glad to hear it and thank you very much for comming back to leave a comment 🙌🙏

[@250txc]

@@StepstoPodium My fix revolved around that cross-over shim. Out of a 12 shim only 'straight' stack, I removed 2 large shims off the top, then I placed a small cross-over shim 5 notches down on the low-speed side and then removed 1 shim from what you called the high-speed stack and got the relief that had eluded me for decade++. -- I have 4 sets of the 48mm KYBs, all on my 2008 - 2012 Husqvarna 2t and 4t dirt bikes. Might do each just a little different since I have a clue now on these stacks AND the compression valve can be removed from the forks WITHOUT taking the fork off the bike. -- Their valving just screws right out the top and the mounted forks with only the handlebars needing to be removed.

[@MrJirschiDD]

top ... please produce more of this technical video content 😁👍🏻👍🏻🎈

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching! Will do!!! 😁

[@Ukmongoose3]

Brilliant! I’m about to tune my KTM’s forks and this is really helpful. ‘Knowledge is Power’ indeed! Thank you very much for posting. ✌️

[@StepstoPodium]

Glad I could help! 😄 good luck with the tuning and have fun! 💪

[@Ukmongoose3]

@@StepstoPodium Thanks! Have a great day 👍

[@MotoramaFullService]

Just perfect! TKS so much !!!!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you!!! 😄🙌

[@Motoinc]

Amazing....thank you

[@Motoinc]

BEST EVER on KZbin.....IMO

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much!!! 😄

[@teamagoge-theenduroists8683]

This is fantastic! I just watched it about 3x in a row. Feel like I learned more in this half hour than ever before. Thanks for the simple, quickly understood explanations and coordinated animations! Now to watch the others! Definitely subscribed!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so so much! That's exactly what I want 🙌😄

[@jeremysmit8972]

Agreed. I have learnt a LOT in the last 3 hours watching your various videos suspension, power valves etc. Thanks a stack and keep it up! I have a lot to catch up after just subscribing.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much for that! Will do 😄💪

[@paulyaw]

Well done.

[@LucasGomes-vk9mu]

It really helped. thanks

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching! 🙌💪

[@cylemarsh2102]

Great video

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you! 💪💪

[@surronzak8154]

Amazing explaination, amazing, thank you very much

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching and don't forget to share with your mates 😄

[@surronzak8154]

@@StepstoPodium Of course,I have a little question, is it ok to have only 3 same size shims on my suntour rux 38 fork ? According to a guy servicing it by himself this results in faster wear. What do you think ?

[@StepstoPodium]

That question is too specific for me to be sble to answer correctly... do you think scheduling a technical session would be benefitial? You can check it out on our website :) www.stepstopodium.com

[@surronzak8154]

@@StepstoPodium no it’s ok, I will first check what this stack imply’s on a staking site, but thanks for the proposition

[@constantinarnold4009]

Hey man, I do really love your videos. They are by far the best in production and with the biggest scientific background on KZbin when it comes to suspension. Maybe you could one day make a video about other damping technologies like for example Cone Valve. Please carry on with your video production.

[@StepstoPodium]

Hey Constantin, Thank you so much for that!! I really appreciate it 🙏 I'm waiting for a reply from the folks at WP, but that is the goal! 💪 luckily I already managed to get in touch with the guys at ZF Sachs and soon I'll do one just focusing on their Seperate Function Forks (which is similar to WP technology as well). Thanks once again and I hope you check some other vids from the channel 🙌

[@StepstoPodium]

Already available on the channel mate :)

[@Keldsyke]

Great video, there’s a lot of videos out there that generalise but don’t go into this detail. I would love to see a video on how after working out your damper rates you would translate it into the shim stack build. Awesome video 👍🏻

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you! 🙌 maybe Ill include it in one of our (soon to be) online courses 💪

[@giannicapece3592]

Very amazing! very nice video thank you!!!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching and don't forget to share it with your mates 🙂💪

[@giannicapece3592]

@@StepstoPodium Just did it! thank you from Italy!

[@StepstoPodium]

If you need further clarifications, check out our technical sessions :) www.stepstopodium.com/technicalsessions

[@babar69110]

Kudos !! one of the best and usefull ever saw on utub....

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much! I'm glad to hear that 💪

[@samiounasti6638]

Thank You for this video! This is amazing! Even a bone-head like me finally understands the meaning and purpose of shim stacks and valves. I would add one thing though. The explanation of slow and high speed damping, that it is not about bike's speed.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much Sami! I really appreciate it 💪 That explanation is made on another video from the suspension video "saga"😏😛

[@SpeedDemonExpress]

About damn time someone make a video like this. Suspension guys want everything to be a secret!

[@StepstoPodium]

🤣🤣👌👌

[@k2t210]

Excellent!

[@StepstoPodium]

🙌🙌😄

[@mikeerdman4831]

Awesome 😎 video.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you for watching Mike! 😊🙏

[@jamesal0]

great video. Would love some advance videos, interaction of base and mid valve on open cartridge and another discussing closed cartridge systems.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much! I'll get there, just need to find the time to do all the videos I have in mind :P

[@talesofaclubman]

Love this, encourages you to try. Have you explained shims in relation to rebound on any videos?

[@StepstoPodium]

Great to hear that 😄 The principles are exactly the same as in compression 💪

[@franf8642]

excellent all the videos. make a video explaining different types of floating in the mid valve. please.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much! Have you checked the video about the mid-speed valve? 😊

[@josephguido6153]

More accolades for you, sir. I love your channel.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you! 😄🙌

[@borjafat]

Thanks!

[@MarcosPaulo-131]

Obrigado pela aula. 🇧🇷

[@StepstoPodium]

🙌🙌🙌🙌👌

[@petermoss4824]

great stuff .... just doing racetech valves on my KTM ...... now i'm kinda understanding the shim stack .... really good tutorial and illustrations...... this stuff isn't really the black art voodoo that all the big $$$$ tuners lead u to believe...... u just gotta experiment some .... but ur shim stack illustrations are really good !!!!!

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much Peter! I'm really glad I helped you understand it 💪💪 they make it look like voodoo if they prefer you don't know it or if themselves don't know it well 😁 but that's my 5 cents 😛

[@seppomontaalasmaaman1339]

Great work man! Now I'm going to fiddle with my shims the next time I have to do maintenance on my forks.

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you!! Go for it 😁💪 if you have doubts, you can schedule a technical session and clear all your doubts 1-on-1. Check it out here if it makes sense for you 🙂 stepstopodium.com/technical-sessions/

[@seppomontaalasmaaman1339]

Well the pricing is definitely reasonable. @@StepstoPodium

[@StepstoPodium]

I appreciate it 🙌

[@Automan9]

God fucking damn bro, I didn't expect this much knowledge dropped on me. MX isnt my discpline at all (as much as I respect it though), but this is so much transferable knowledge to street/track riding and its invaluable. I'm looking at setups completely differently (and how CHEAP freaking manufacturers are 😂) THANK YOU

[@StepstoPodium]

Thank you so much for the kind words! 🙌 that's the goal of these videos! 😄 the community has to have the knowledge in order for the sport to evolve 💪

[@jj7281]

Hello, congratulations, great video!! , very educating and easy to understand all the concepts, but there's one that I've always thought it was the other way round, I thought that the bigger you go in diameter the stiffer is the stack, I do understand that it's more difficult to bend a smaller one, but in the other hand, the biggers one above have got more room to bend then can flow more oil, would you be so kind to clarify me that point, please??. Thank you very much

[@StepstoPodium]

It's not a matter of space above, it's only important how the shim setting is made up! Remember, the tapered shape is to reduce permanent distortion of the shims, nothing else. The shim stack works like a spring :)