Rear Shock Spanner Wrench Alternative

[Atkins]

I do not have the shock spanner that comes in the bike's toolkit. I was able to use my oil filter wrench, that I use on my cars, to adjust the shock. It basically works like a big set of pliers. It worked pretty well. I'm sure you can find one like it for a few bucks at an auto parts or discount store.

[bucks1605]

I can't even get the spanner wrench from the tool kit to work...maybe I'm just an idiot.

[ben2go]

I broke mine trying to turn the stock shock.I dunno if it's me, the tool, or the shock. 

[bucks1605]

I broke mine trying to turn the stock shock.I dunno if it's me, the tool, or the shock. 

That makes two of us, sooo its got to be the tool, or the shock....definitely not the user! Stupid spanner wrench

[ohgood]

I can't even get the spanner wrench from the tool kit to work...maybe I'm just an idiot.

woooooo hoooo ! we can start a club or sumin since i'm not the only one

i just use 1) my biiiiig freaking screw driver 2) my 1/4" extension 3) something else pointy and long that resembles a branch/stick/sign post/rebar/ and in a pinch... da da da VICE GRIPS !

[ben2go]

I even tried using a big flat blade screw driver to turn it.I actually colapsed the shock body and slid the bike about a foot.Still didn't turn.When I finish assembling my Katana shock,I'm going to grease the adjusting collar.

[VSG]

The ajdustment is made at the bottom of the shock where the vertical "slots" are, correct?

[ben2go]

The ajdustment is made at the bottom of the shock where the vertical "slots" are, correct?

Yes.

[beRto]

I do not have the shock spanner that comes in the bike's toolkit. I was able to use my oil filter wrench, that I use on my cars, to adjust the shock. It basically works like a big set of pliers. It worked pretty well. I'm sure you can find one like it for a few bucks at an auto parts or discount store.

I have a similar tool, but found that it didn't work! I was unable to fit the tool into the limited space available; using the tool would have required required removal of the exhaust and one of the suspension links!  It seemed to me that Suzuki left barely enough room for their stock tool and anything else won't fit (especially if it has two handles, like your tool does).

How did you fit the tool in there? A photograph would be great!

[The Antibody]

The shock adj. freeze up very easily. Not uncommon at all. Mine did as well. My newer Kat shock turns so easily.

  -Anti 

[Atkins]

How did you fit the tool in there? A photograph would be great!

Went in above muffler, below brake pedal:


Closeup, shows how jaws of wrench straddle dog bone link:


Hope that helps. 

[beRto]

Hmmm... ok, you've inspired me to try again!

Thanks for the detailed photos!! 

[Teek]

Atkins, thanks for the pics! That looks like a much safer alternative to the screwdriver method if one does not have a shock wrench. I got my '05 Katana shock exactly because my hubby (without my supervision) whacked the crap out of my shock adjuster, which WAS moving just fine, but I think he went the wrong way and it stopped at the bottom of it's adjustment, so he just hit it harder. The screwdiver slipped and he holed the shock or maybe just distressed it. It started leaking pretty good, and I went out for a canyon ride with the thing dripping in front of my rear tire because he didn't say anything to me! Then my back end started feeling really funky, and then I felt like I was riding a hardtail with bad springs. I was! When we got home I said, "Wow, the back end feels terrible!", and he said "I think your shock might be leaking"...   

So the wrench works like a charm on my Katana shock, turns smooth as snot.

So Ben, the Katana should be easier, and you'll probably like the shock too.

[CndnMax]

never had a problem with the stock wrench  got it to work on the first try 

[bucks1605]

never had a problem with the stock wrench  got it to work on the first try 

You can't join our club then!   

[sledge]

Hunt down one of these. The "R 32.5" (I think) on the original tool indicates the radius of the collar it fits on in mm so you want one that will accomodate a 65mm dia collar. Adjusting the shock is not a problem with the correct tool, its just a bit tight on space.

http://www.thefastone.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=530467

[Teek]

Sledge has a point, the wrench is a tight fit, and it only adjusts one click at a time, it takes two clicks per setting if I remember.. CRS.
So you have to click, fiddle to reset, click, reset, yada yada blah blah.

[CndnMax]

Sledge has a point, the wrench is a tight fit, and it only adjusts one click at a time, it takes two clicks per setting if I remember.. CRS.
So you have to click, fiddle to reset, click, reset, yada yada blah blah.

if you rotate the mudflap on the swingarm out of the way you can get in on the kickstand side just fine, you even have enough room to use the extention.

[GeeP]

Interesting idea, Atkins.  I'll have to try it the next time I adjust mine.  Like many of the others, I've always used a loooong flat screwdriver and pried against the dogbone.   

I had to make a spanner wrench for the GSXR shock on my SV last night so I could turn the preload down from FULL!  No wonder it didn't squat when I sat on it...   

[bucks1605]

I just got my kat shock a few days ago. Haven't gotten to install it yet, but hopefully it will be easier to adjust than the stock gs shock.