Rear shock - before I start...

[techno]

I need to remove the rear shock as my now broken hugger was fixed to the bottom bolt...surely that can't be right? Looks sort of home made by previous owner...

Anyway, in my mind this is how I see it going.

1. Bike on centre stand
2. Chock up so rear wheel is off the ground.
3. Remove rear wheel
4. Maybe remove end can
5. Heat bottom of strut to loosen Loctite.
6. Undo Allen bolt. Repeat step 5. if required.
7. Remove hugger fixing bracket.
8. Re-assemble.

Thing is, when I undo the bottom bolt, will the spring (shock),...well 'spring' out so I can't get it back in? Don't think it will, but don't want to be cursing and struggling days before the Elephant Rally!

Any comments, thoughts and hints?

Thanks

 

[Packer]

If you have an 1150 the answer to your "spring out" question is "No".

You may need something to prop up the swing arm when you try to replace the bottom bolt. That was the only issue I had when installing a Wilbers shock

 

[techno]

Thanks,

Yes it is an 1150.

Will give it a go tomorrow when it is a bit warmer in tha garage

 

[jimcg]

Your step by step guide seems fine and you should not need to remove the end can although you might need to slacken off the clamp and turn it around to allow the bottom bolt to be removed.

 

[hodge1150]

loosen the bottom shock bolt first
put something under the swinging arm after wheel is removed
remove top bolt from shock
slowly lower swinging arm
you dont have to do owt to the exhaust this way cos you can now withdraw bottom shock bolt
hodge

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Safety Point

Fasten stand to front wheel.
cos if you're a fat fecker and nudge the bike forward it will roll off the stand
And without rear wheel in, its a bastard to get back up !!!

 

[trotsky]

You may need something to prop up the swing arm when you try to replace the bottom bolt. That was the only issue I had when installing a Wilbers shock

That's a goody. You really don't want to drop the end of the swing arm onto the floor unexpectedly when you get the bolt out of the thread... I used a ten inch flower pot which turned out to be just the right height.

Proff's stand/front wheel strap is one I missed and I nearly did the "topple over" bit trying to loosen the allen bolt - you are fundamentally lifting the bike up and forward while you are doing that.

 

[techno]

Maybe I will lie it on it's side like I did for the oil sight glass, resting on a few bags of sand