Changing the rear shock

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Barney93 · #1 Post by **Barney93** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:39 pm

Hi All

Finally bit the bullet and am expecting a new Nitron Sport shock in the post any day now. I've already rigged my self up an improvised Abba stand - some bricks, axle stands and a big iron bar!

Can anyone give this mechanical nupty some practical advice on removing the old one and replacing the new. Do I need to take out the rear wheel. Does the shock come out from the rear break master cylinder side or chain guard side. Any other tips to spare my neighbours the sound of me effing and blinding!!!!

Much appreciated!!!

B93

fastasfcuk · #2 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:53 pm

after supporting the bike i removed the rear wheel, and removing the shock is farly straight forward.

bigun · #3 Post by **bigun** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:01 pm

Took me 10 minutes.

Support the bike like you are doing. Either take the rear wheel out or chock it (don't lift it) undo the nuts, pop the bolts out, swap it over, fitting is the reverse of removal. Job done.

Paul

Falco9 · #4 Post by **Falco9** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:08 pm

bigun wrote:Took me 10 minutes.

Support the bike like you are doing. Either take the rear wheel out or chock it (don't lift it) undo the nuts, pop the bolts out, swap it over, fitting is the reverse of removal. Job done.

Paul

+1 with Paul on this..........I don't remove the rear wheel any more. I can almost swap the shock in my sleep. Just make sure you put the bolts back the way they came out (orientation wise) or you won't be able to get a socket on them.

If you want to do a "proper" job you could also take the time to remove the link plates and grease the needle bearings in the linkages whilst your there (so to speak) They are not overly well greased by our Italian friends

F9

D-Rider · #5 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:29 pm

Yep - what Rich (F9) and Paul (Bigun) said.

Dead easy - chocking the wheel is key to getting the bolts out easily and realigning things.

HowardQ · #6 Post by **HowardQ** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:37 pm

Yes exactly as above stated by Paul, Rich and Andy. That was the way I did mine, 10 minute job that took me about an hour!
Mine was a White Spring with the protruding valve, tried it as it was first, (as some people reckon they can go straight on, not a prayer!), then skimmed a bit off with a Dremel cutter, then another bit, then finally another chunk with a mini hacksaw and file, before I finally got enough clearance. Dooooh

Barney93 · #7 Post by **Barney93** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:19 pm

Thanks guys

great advice as always!!

dyzio · #8 Post by **dyzio** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:10 pm

Just finished fitting mine. My mate was running late so I started (and finished) mylself.
Was a lot easier than fitting a zx636 shock to my SV :D
It's an 02 Mille R Ohlins with linkage.

Bike feels a bit taller now, will go out for a small run later today, and need to find someone to set it up for me.

Hmm.. I'm wondering if the gap between the linkeage going to the engine and the shock is always this small, or have I messed something up?

Fausto · #9 Post by **Fausto** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:23 pm

The gap between the shock lower mount and the dogbone linkage does seem smaller than on my (stock) setup. Possibly due to the ride height being set taller?

As the shock acts in compression i wouldn't have thought there would be a problem though. (just my opinion)

minime · #10 Post by **minime** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:21 pm

dyzio wrote:Just finished fitting mine. My mate was running late so I started (and finished) mylself.
Was a lot easier than fitting a zx636 shock to my SV :D
It's an 02 Mille R Ohlins with linkage.

Bike feels a bit taller now, will go out for a small run later today, and need to find someone to set it up for me.

Hmm.. I'm wondering if the gap between the linkeage going to the engine and the shock is always this small, or have I messed something up?

No, looks like all is fine, except for the one bolt (topleft in the pic) that you have put in the 'wrong way'

Aladinsaneuk · #11 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:51 pm

nod looks about right

and re that bolt - should be ok if you can envisage both ends.... i believe that is why they all go in nearside to offside...

Pierre · #12 Post by **Pierre** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:57 pm

I'm on with 04 arm with 06 linkages onto an 02 shock and the bastard thing touches, so yea that gap looks fine to me. Infact I'd be extatic with it

dyzio · #13 Post by **dyzio** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:26 am

Ok, rode the bike to work this morning...
It sits a bit higher, I always could get 1 foot flat on the ground, now manage only half of it. I tried to make the shock as short as possible, but still it lifted the rear (I'm a shortar$e, 173cm).

It felt different, a bit stiffer, but smooth as well if that makes any sense... steering is also affected, but I will try to get it set up properly.
Next thing to do... drop the forks anf fit the clip ons above the top yoke :)

TwinNut · #14 Post by **TwinNut** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:08 am

dyzio · #15 Post by **dyzio** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:30 am

Aye, that's what I meant.
Got the idea from here and AF1, just a cheap option of improving the comfort... Don't fancy spending another ££ on the bike...

For some reason, the Falco and I aren't getting along as good as I'd like to :(
Did 500 miles on the weekend in sunny Scotland :) on the old shock and it was more or less ok, I've played with the rear shock settings and noticed the improvement. However now, with the Ohlins, bike is stiffer again and a bit taller, which isn't exactly confidence inspiring...

Will wait till I get it all set up...