Bill,
Shock absorbers is a hard to explain issue in a forum. I have been writing an article for the Pantera international magazine, that explains a good deal of shock absorbers and their settings. I guess it is possible to order a issue from,
http://www.pantera.net/ , without beeing a member in the club. Give them a mail, very nice full collour mag.
My article is supposed to be in the next issue. After reading it I think conversation would be a lot easier.
Regards
Goran Malmberg