Rear shock help

[mrslush50]

all i'm trying to do is change the rear shock.  the service guide says I need to take apart the entire rear swing arm assembly.    is this really necessary?  also, how do you get the top shock mounting bolt out?  it seems almost imposible to get any leverage.

anyone out there who's done a shock swap?  little help please?  

thanks.  

[JamesG]

No its pretty easy.

Either put the bike on its centerstand or suspend the bike from above by the subframe (prefered and more stable) so that the swingarm extends and the wheel is hanging in air. Put a block of wood under the tire so that it takes up the weight of the wheel/swingarm. Loosen all the shock bolts. The upper one  has a cut out in the frame to be able to stick an extension thru for an ratchet/breaker bar/impact wrench.  Remove shock bolts. You may have to wiggle the swingarm up and down to get them to come out. Once the bolts are out, take the block of wood out from under the wheel and let the swingarm sag to the floor. This will let you lift the shock up and wiggle it out of there. Removing the battery box and air box make this much easier.  Installation is the reverse of removal.

[The Buddha]

Put it on a 2X4 on centerstand.
An 89 needs the airbox out. The later years dont. In both cases get a socket wrench on the top mount. On the 90+ bike you pop off the plastic hole cover on the left of the bike and use a 6inch extension. On the 89 Just use a socket and the airbox when out will let you access it from the top. Then undo the bottom...Easy access from the bottom side of the bike. Then the shock will fall out. Installation is the reverse...and the extra wheel travel will let you fit the taller shock in more easy. The book must have been written in japan where 2X4's are very very hard to find...Well even so you can use the book...silly guys...No need to take anything else off.
Cool.
Srinath.

[mrslush50]

cool.  thanks guys.

let me buy you an e-drink

[mrslush50]

instead of removing the battery and air box, i just removed the cusion lever/rod bolt and the shock fell right out the bottom of the bike.

much less time consuming.

[pantablo]

easier still to drop the shock out the bottom. Take off the top shock bolt and the leading linkage bolt (where linkage connnects to swingarm). MAKE SURE TO AT LEAST BREAK LOOSE THE LOWER SHOCK BOLT. Undo the dogbones too, removing the bolt.  Then drop the entire assembly, shock and linkage, out the bottom-leaving the dogbones. You can install in reverse.

Thats how I did mine-no airbox removal necessary. Good thing too since its a PITA.

[rhenter]

I replaced the rear shock on my '89 and did not remove the airbox?  I needed a swivel on the extention of my socket wrench to reach the bolts but the shock came right out once I got the bolts out.  The new one was off of a 2001 Katana 600 and slipped right in.

Randy

[mrslush50]

hey pablo,

right now I'm installing an sv650 shock.  I know you didn't do the right up that apears on your site about this, but you might want to do a little editing.  it's a little confusing.  the sv650 shock is not a direct bolt in.  with out modifying the bottom end of the shock, there is no way to put the bolt through.  you have to cut the shock and re-drill holes.  even if you're not worried about raising the bike.  

I actually wanted the extra two inches that who ever wrote the article on your site claims the shock will add.  but it won't go in with out modifacation and it will actually only raise the bike by about a 1/2 an inch.

it's still a fairly easy swap.  but it isn't a direct bolt on.

just letting you know.