How do I get this blue thing into the green and white thing? I've read all the treads and it looks pretty straight forward. Have any thoughts before I begin?

 

Take that spring to an auto parts store and ask to rent a spring compressor. I suggest taking it so you get a tool that fits/works. I've seen it done with straps on Youtube (that was a KLR rider)...but I wouldn't try that method. Once you compress the spring it's easy.

 

I didn't need a spring compressor when I swapped rear springs. I just removed the shock, loosened and removed the jam nuts, swapped springs, tightened up the jam nuts, re-installed the shock and checked for sag. It was actually perfect as I installed it, so I was good to go.

 

What was wrong with the stock one? Didn't like the color?

 

Blue is so much cooler than gray. This KLX is used as a mule on the back of our motor home, believe it or not it gets used quite a bit as a two up bike. The stocker bottoms out all the time.

 

I don't think you'll need a compressor to change the KLX spring. Pretty sure I didn't on my '06.

Loosen the spring jam nuts (now or later). Remove the rear wheel. If you've not done it recently, remove the swing arm and linkage and check/service all those bearings. Ma Kawi is known for being tight on the lube. I'm not positive that the swing arm and linkage need to be removed to remove the shock, but that's what I did as part of the service. Perhaps its possible with only removing the lower and upper shock bolts?

Now your shock should be hanging from one bolt on top. Remove that top bolt and IIRC the shock drops down.

 

Pfffft!...a motorhome? Everyone knows all the cool guys have toy haulers.

 

And what do you have against the south (map on motorhome)?

 

You guys are a rough crowd! The map only reflects states we have camped in. Should really add Canadian Provinces.

 

The new shock spring is in. Swing arm stays in tact, the rocker arm and dog bones had to come out. Little dry, schleped some bearing grease were I could. Did not remove the rear wheel because I hang it from the garage rafter with a come-along, not my first rodeo. The shock easily came out the left side of the bike. The new spring is a little more than two inches taller than the stocker but no problem with installation although if it was a little longer it would have to have been compressed.