rustbucket (what they don't tell you about the Kat shock)

[milo]

I think My entire GS is held togetehr entirely by rust. I can't believe how hard it is to remove some of these bolts.

So I started to install my '96 Kat600 shock. With a mighty effort and after breaking one ratchet and a trip to the hardware store to replace it, I removed the two bolts holding the stock shock in place. But, now I can't figure out how to physically get it out of the frame! The best thing I can think of is to remove one of the remaining bolts in the linkage down at the bottom, and swing it out of the way. But the forward bolt is held fast, no amount of effort seems to want to move it; and the center bolt is too big for my ratchet (looks to be about 3/4").

Am I missing something obvious? How do I get the original shock out of there?

[JMyrick]

yeah you need to remove one of the lower bolts to get more info check out http://pantablo500.tripod.com/ Pantablos page has lots of great info there and as always my props to Pantablo his page has helped me out alot

Joe

[pantablo]

I think you can remove the bolts holding the dogbones (one on each side of the lower linkage) and swing the lower linkage away to get the shock out.

[70 Cam Guy]

slightly OT, are you the same milo from cycleforums?

You'll like your Kat shock when you get it installed.  I installed mine and haven't looked back

[raylarrabee]

I ended up having to use a 3' length of pipe as a breaker bar and sprayed half a can of WD-40 on those bolts to get them out.

Try some Liquid Wrench--that stuff is amazing.

[milo]

I was on beginnerbikes.com when that was around (and mostly lurked), but not cycleforums.

Pablo's page is where I initially got the info for the shock swap -- there's some amazingly helpful info on there. But I didn't seen anything on removal.

The frontmost lower bolt is stuck fast, and I tried HARD to get it to move. Tomorrow I'll get a 3/4" piece for my ratchet, and maybe look for some of this liquid wrench stuff, and attack the middle bolt.

This is my first real foray into modding the GS -- only fenderplastied it and put on SV mirrors so far (PO put in progressive springs). Hopefully tomorrow I'll finish the shock swap, then Friday I'm having Avon AM51/52s put on, and Saturday I'll cut the pipe and install the wileyco.

Can't wait til Sunday!

[pantablo]

check this link for a picture of the lower linkage, scroll down to third photo.

the frontmost bolt can stay in place, if you remove the center bolts that hold the dogbones (silver linkages in the picture) you should be able to move everything out of the way and remove the shock.

[Toecutter]

EDIT:  Hmm... after looking at those pictures again, it turns out my memory is pretty fuzzy.

[ktrim]

i had the tank and airbox off when I changed mine,  pulled it right out from above.  super easy

[JMyrick]

Im pretty sure I used a 2 foot breaker bar to get mine off I let my poor wife hold the ratchet on the nut while I broke it free on the other side


Joe

[milo]

I though about taking the tank and airbox off, it would be easy to pull the shock out from above. But I had to stop mucking with it and drop it off at the mechanic for the new tires, so for now I just reattached the original shock. I asked the mechanic if he could loosen the linkage bolt and then tighten it again... once it come loose at all I'll be able to get it. We'll see tomorrow.

This bolt is really on tight. I sprayed liquid wrench all over both sides twice then attacked it half an hour later (using my Srinath flange as a breaker bar    ) and broke a second ratchet.

Incidentally, what the heck is vanadium, and why do they make tools out of it? That's twice I sheared of a 3/8" section of it with my bare hands. It's pretty soft stuff...

[TR]

chrome-vanadium steel alloys are special alloys for tools, some better than others but in general they have more sheer strength and good superficial hardness, but they as everything have a limit, I guess you need a 1/2" square drive ratchet and a braker bar. The dogbone's screw of my bike came off with only a 3/8" ratchet on one side and a wrench on the other, and a 1/2' braker bar from the original Suzuki tool kit. Get sure to lube everything for the next time.

[davipu]

chrome vandium (sp) is a alloy that is used in tools to resist wear, and oxidation. so the tools last longer.  basicly, it's just a surface coating.

[davipu]

cheap ratchets?