Zerk fittings on Rear Shock?

[wtf1369]

I have an `83 standard that had a bad rear shock. I ordered a rear shock for a Royale along with a Progressive replacement spring. I read that as an option somewhere on here, but don't know who gets the credit for posting it. Yesterday, I finally got around to installing zerk fittings on the shock assembly following Freebird's instructions. I installed them on the wrong side of the front arm and have a replacement on the way.

 

I haven't read anything about putting zerk fitting on the top and bottom mounts of the shock itself. Looking at the shock, it makes perfect sense to me to do it, but I know better than to assume. Has anyone done this? Is it a bad idea?

 

Also - my old shock leaked all over me when I turned it upside down without the air hose attached to it. The replacement didn't. What, if anything, should I put in it and how much?

[Gearhead]

I just installed zerks on the rear linkage and also put one in the bottom pivot of my Progressive replacement shock. However, the seals on the ends are so tight that I literally can't pump any grease in thru it. But that's the Progressive shock - stock is different and might work better. The top mount isn't accessible to a grease gun, so I didn't bother.

 

Jeremy

[wtf1369]

Thanks Jeremy. I'm going to put one in the bottom tonight and let the top go.

 

Anyone know how much fluid I should put in the shock? It's off of a 86-93.

[Gearhead]

Oh, one thing about the Zerks I've never read anywhere. Be careful where you install them, that they are not the lowest hanging thing on the bike at that point. (You can rotate the installation point around the part to prevent this.) This applies to the middle joint where the shock attaches. There are 5 zerks there - one in the shock and two in each link. In my case, I scoped it out but still ended up with two of them hanging straight down which is lower than anything else. I'm probably going to remove them and install the little low-profile needle-type, because it's only a matter of time until they catch on something.

 

Jeremy