Well, this weekend I got my progressive springs installed on the front end (used pablo's lazy way...hardest thing was re-threading the fork caps correctly) and WHAT a difference. The bike is so much easier to live with (as I expected from all the posts) I also got shipped in a '00 Kat 600 shock. Well, when I went to install it, I got frustrated with removing the old rear shock. I put in on the centerstand, popped the side plastic cap, and proceeded to try and loosen the bolts (this is after letting them sit in WD-40 for a while)

SO~ My questions is, any suggestions for loosening these things. The nut that you access through the hole in the frame is easy to get to, the one on the other side, no so much. I'm afraid I'm gonna round off the nut because of the angle of my open-ended wrench.

I'm trying to go at this by myself, but if the suggestions are there, I'll grab a neighbor to maybe help.
Thanks again, love the forum!

Open-end wrench?  

At least grab (borrow) the neighbor's socket set!

I have a complete socket set, that works well for the bolt side that passes through the frame. It's the nut on the other side that is hard to get to. Now, I haven't tried using a universal joint on the socket yet, maybe that'll be next up. And, I'm assuming since this bolt has a nut on both sides that I'm gonna need to have a wrench/socket on both sides, so I'm not just turning it within in the shock sleeve.

My mistake.  I just went out to look at the nut, and I see what you mean.  (Hey, it's been a while.   )

I don't remember exactly how richard and I got his stock shock out or his Katana 600 shock in, but I do own a 3/8"-drive universal-type coupler.  Maybe we used that?

All in all, I probably shouldn't comment on operations in this area until I've done them a few times.  Don't forget, I'm the guy who left A Wrench In The Works that first time around....

You can take off the rear wheel- gives you very easy access and doesn't add a lot of time (with the right tools).  Also makes it easier for installation.

we used a long socket extention i think and then a breaker bar to break it.. you need torque to do it. It has loctite on it from teh factory. I put back loctite when i put the new shock back in.

I used a 3/8" socket with a 10" extension.  I ended up soaking the entire area in WD-40, letting it soak, and slipping a 2' pipe over the socket wrench to get enough torque to take the nut off.

I think the WD40 was the key.  I know that there are specialized nut/botl loosening chemicals out there, too, but I've never used any.

Good luck, and try not to bash your knuckles :x  when it finally comes loose!

OK..so I have the 3/8" socket, w/ extension, and I've soaked everything in WD-40. I can get to the nut on the left side of the bike (the one that the extension goes through the frame) and I've been able to get it to move a bit....
BUT
it's the nut that is on the other side of the top of the shock that I'm having trouble getting a good grip on. Did you guys have to deal with both? Or were you able to just unscrew the one side. I've been assuming that if I don't secure the opposite nut, then the bolt on the top will just turn. I'm beginning to think the only choice is to use a 3/8" universal socket joint with another socket to get to it-trying to wedge a wrench in there to hold it ain't cuttin it...thanks again for the help guys...love the forum