Rear shock R&R

How involved is a shock R&R besides the lower linkage? Subframe have to be moved?

Thanks, Rick

Going from memory here...

Unbolt all the bottom end stuff.
Unbolt the top shock mount.
Yea... they say it will come out now through the bottom. Lies! I could not make it happen, no matter what position the swingarm was in.
I ended up loosening the battery tray/plastic tray in the subframe.

I honestly can't recall what the magic step was, but it eventually came out easy enough. It's that damn resevoir that kept getting hung up.

I just had a brainstorm as I wrote this.

What if you undid the rear mud flap thing? I imagine it would just come out the back then...

Yup, doesn't look like it will drop out the bottom to easily. Just looked; I think the inner fender might be too low...
I wonder if you unbolt the subframe on the left side can you move it just enough to get the spring past the battery box?

There must be a trick here...

Its as easy as ,
Remove seat tank muffler.
Remove bottom subframe bolts, loosen top subframe bolt.
Loosen air boot clamp on the back of throttle body.
Unhook the air temp sensor connector.
pivot up subframe to about 75°
Remove bottom shock bolt. first remove dog bone link to expose shock bolt.
Remove top shock bolt.
Remove shock...
Its a 15 min job.. 30 min to put it back together if you take your time..


Let me know if you have any questions..

what I did:

1. unbolt shock bottom bolt.
2. unbolt link from "L" shaped thingy.
3. support rear wheel at up-most position.
4. unbolt top shock bolt.
5. remove shock from the bottom (need a little maneuvering but went easy enough)

assemble in reverse order.

my 2 cents.

I just removed the swingarm and linkage.
Like that, it just falls out the bottom.

If you are removing the shock for anything, lube the suspension bearings, seals, collars, and pivot bolts while you are at it.
Foolish not to.

YZEtc wrote:

I just removed the swingarm and linkage.
Like that, it just falls out the bottom.

If you are removing the shock for anything, lube the suspension bearings, seals, collars, and pivot bolts while you are at it.
Foolish not to.

Thats a great point.. lube the linkage. Good Suspension action depends on the. 50¢ of grease you need to put in.

Great stuff, thank you all. Will try the least invasive first and then go for the subframe move. I have a extra set of linkage that's cleaned greased and bagged, ready to go....
I'll give a heads up on how it went...

Cheers, Rick

After i unbolt the shock i raise the bike on a stand,rotate it and remove it from the side.

dtx wrote:

After i unbolt the shock i raise the bike on a stand,rotate it and remove it from the side.

OK, I agree with this. That is by far the easiest way.. Remove left side cover unbolt shock pick up rear wheel and remove shock out left side.. 5 minutes..
I guess I just like taking apart motorcycles..

And here I was wondering how to do that - all I had to do was read this thread. Pulled it out after raising the real wheel - still tight, but doable.

I'll pull the swing arm and grease everything while the shock is out for the rebuild...