What you need:
- Socket Wrench (10mm, 12mm, 14mm)
- Phillips Head Screwdriver or Large Allen Wrench
- Crowbar or Hammer
- Goo-Off and a rag (to remove the cartoony sticker)
I do not know why I am writing up these directions. The process
is real easy. I did this with out using my lift and at all times I
thought the shocks were going to pop or snap off. This was not the
case. Read below for an easy way to install new shocks.
Step One: Preparation.
Remove your seat. 10mm Bolt on the rear fender and if you have
the stock seat, there are two more bolts on the side of the seat.
Also remove saddlebags if you have them.
You than want to make sure that your left-side shock is at the
highest tension (5). This will make it easier to work on the
right-side. Optional: Lower the right-side shock to 1 if worried
(I was), but I do not think it is necessary.
Step Two: Right-Side Shock
This one is the easy one. With the 14mm Socket wrench, first
remove the top bolt on the shock, and than remove the bottom bolt.
The shock will slightly pop when the bottom bolt is finally
removed, but nothing dramatic. Lift the shock out of the bottom
housing and slide off the top post.
Do the reverse to put replace the new shock (sticker end up),
but use the smallest diameter/ thickest black spacer (provided
with the shocks) for the bottom bolt of the shock. You will be
able to lift and lower the bike with one hand to line up the
bottom bolt hole. Replace bolts. See pic (notice how much lower
the bike is now :)).
If you want to remove the sticker, do it now. Peel sticker and
use a rag with Goo-Off (or anything else you have that will work)
to remove the adhesive.
Step Three: Left-Side Shock
This one is a bit more difficult because of the bottom bolt.
Tighten the right-side shock to highest setting (5) and loosen the
left side to the lowest tension (1). Remove the top bolt (14mm).
Loosen the bottom bolt (12mm). This bolt will not thread out
fully, hense the difficult part. You will have to pry the top end
of the shock off first (I used a hammer’s claw, but a crow bar
will work better). Be gentle doing this. Once the top is removed,
work the shock around so the bolt on the bottom can be removed.
Replace the new shock using the largest diameter/thinnest black
spacer on the bottom this time. You will need to work this side
with a screwdriver or a thick alan wrench to line up the bottom
bolt hole. I had to lie on the floor to look down the hole and
lift my bike using my knee on the rear fender to make sure
everything was lining up (it is a tight fit). Tighten all bolts
(if you wish, see torque values on this site for exact torque
values).
Remove sticker and clean. Tighten shock cam to 5 or what ever
value you will be riding with (I like them stiff).
Step Four: Clean up and Ride
Replace saddlebags and seat. Clean up. Ride!!!
Editors Note: This is always the best
step!
