This is one of the reasons why I hate this bike. It's such a PITA to work on compared to my DR650. What should have taken five minutes is going on a half hour.

How the hell do you remove the rear shock??? I disconnected one end of the dogbones to reach the lower mounting bolt. Then removed the upper mounting bolt so the shock is loose. Then I had to remove the skidplate (which was no easy task given that the bike won't stand up on its own anymore) to get the rear linkage to pivot down more. Nope, that didn't do it either.

It appears you have to remove the f'ing airbox and take the shock out through the top. Is this true?

Rob

 

It should come out the left side after everything at the bottom is disconnected. Bike does need to be on a stand or milkcrate. Probably good to have the rear wheel off too, just to reduce pressures on the linkage.

 

The rear susp is loose... the wheel has gone down as far as it can go (limited by the swingarm I guess). I dont' think the linkage can go down anymore.

I'll go look again... thanks. At least I know how it's SUPPOSED to come out now...

Rob

 

Got it!!! Thanks, your tip was actually very instrumental.

I got to thinking about what you said about the rear wheel and stuff. Rather than remove it, I found that by lifting the rear wheel UP all the way against the underside of the fender (propped up with a stool and some boxes), the swingarm cleared the linkage enough that the shock dropped down and I could pivot it out.

Thanks again!

Rob

 

You're welcome. My MC is in the basement so it was pretty easy to go and look. I'm trying to psych myself up to try the SF spring in my S. It may be too stiff but until I try it ....
I don't recall anyone having tried that yet. The specs I'd found didn't agree with each other but I didn't write any down.

 

Oh? What's the rate on the SF spring? Moto-Pro wants to use a 5.8 spring when they redo my shock. I don't remember what he said the stock spring was.

Rob

 

I don't think it is too stiff at all....compared to my hardtail mtb I'm sure its not as cushy as the S version, but I like it for the street and light trails

 

Funny... the RaceTech site says the SF spring is a 6.8, yet it doesn't know the rate of the stock spring. I don't get it.

'Course those guys wouldn't even answer their damn phone the other day when I was trying to call them.

Rob

 

I know the stock one is too soft for me. How much do you weigh? just to get an idea what to expect.

 

I'm 175 in street clothes...

Rob