Rear shock removal

[jrcain32]

According to the Clymer's manual to replace the rear shock you have to remove the seat, rear tire and rear fender. Is all this necessary?

[BigBoyinMS]

I would say no. While I had the rear wheel off I took all the mounting bolts off and lubed them. Never saw a reason to remove the fender and seat. Maybe to get the filler hose and valve off?

[FJR Rider]

Only if you have really big hands

[YamaDuck]

When I changed my rear shock I took the drivers seat off, the rear passenger floorboards, the plastic panels where the floorboards mount and that's all. I left the bike on it's side kickstand and I jacked the bike up so that after the bolts were loose the weight was off the shock and the kickstand, front tire and jack kept the bike stationary. My hands are average size so I was able to get in there and change the shock out using this method. Just be careful as with this method the bike is a little tipsy. EUSA1 (Mike) told me how to do it so maybe he will chime in.