I have searched here, as well as several other forums I've been a member of and I cannot seem to locate a basic how-to for removing the rear shock and replacing the spring.

I'm taking a stab in the dark here, mainly because I don't have my manual yet, but I take it the steps for replacing the rear shock spring would be similar to:

Bike on stand
Remove side plates and seat
Remove uni-trak linkage at the bottom of the shock
Loosen up the spring tension nuts on top to take the pressure off the spring
Remove the spring retainer crap on the bottom
Slide out the spring
Install the new one
Reinstall the spring retaining crap on the bottom of the spring
Re-tighten the spring tensioner nuts on the top
Re-Connect the unitrak linkage

Please share your tips.

 

I wouldnt even need a manual to do that.. its pretty straight forward..... if its in the way take it off to remove the shock... i have had my whole swing arm off... once bike is on center stand there isnt really tension on the shock/spring...

 

bike on the stand left side panel off take out the bolt for the suspension link "the one closest to the rear tire" and move it down out of the way remove the upper shock bolt then the lower bolt reach in and grab the whole assembly while lifting the swing arm up with you other hand the whole thing will slide right out with a little twist and pull. This is the way I do it and it seems to be the easiest

 

Awesome! Thanks!