Need Help Replacing Rear Shock

[jneer]

I need to replace the rear shock on my 05 RSV. I have ordered an OEM shock since the original lasted 50,000 mi. Any tips or video to walk me thru the process would sure be appreciated.

[Squidley]

It's really pretty strait forward, you will need to put the bike up on a lift. A Carbon One lift adapter will work, you'll just have to finagle the bolt out, but it can be done as I have done it this way. You can get to the top bolts by removing the saddlebags and the battery side covers. If memory serves me right the upper nut and bolt is a 17 or 19 mm the lower bolts are 17 mm. Jack the bike up in the air and break the bolts loose. I used a car floor jack under the rear tire to take some of the weight off the assembly, not much just slightly so to move the bolt out. Make sure you remove the schrader valve retaining nut so it will slide out of it's frame mount. Once all the bolts are removed it will pretty darn near fall out. Put it back together in reverse order, the torque on the upper bolt is 43 ft lbs the lower dog bone bolts are 36 ft lbs. If you have any issues my number is in my profile, just call and I can walk you right through it.

[vzuden]

If you don't have a floor jack for under the tire as mentioned above you use a 2x4 under it. All it takes is a momentary lift to take the weight off to slide the bolt out

[djh3]

Dang you should have asked around. The Hagon would have probably been a beeter buy. Under $500 But the shock removal is as mentioned pretty much 2 bolts drop out bottom. However I did find it easier to loosen the dog bones on the swing arm and get them out of the way. I went ahead and pulled them, cleaned and greasd everything up before putting together.

[bostonlawman2003]

It's really pretty strait forward, you will need to put the bike up on a lift. A Carbon One lift adapter will work, you'll just have to finagle the bolt out, but it can be done as I have done it this way. You can get to the top bolts by removing the saddlebags and the battery side covers. If memory serves me right the upper nut and bolt is a 17 or 19 mm the lower bolts are 17 mm. Jack the bike up in the air and break the bolts loose. I used a car floor jack under the rear tire to take some of the weight off the assembly, not much just slightly so to move the bolt out. Make sure you remove the schrader valve retaining nut so it will slide out of it's frame mount. Once all the bolts are removed it will pretty darn near fall out. Put it back together in reverse order, the torque on the upper bolt is 43 ft lbs the lower dog bone bolts are 36 ft lbs. If you have any issues my number is in my profile, just call and I can walk you right through it.

 

I'm grateful for this post Squid, as I too will be replacing my rear shock in the near future! Just have to decide on OEM or Hagon. Have to think simply because of the price I will end up with the Hagon, but we shall see

[djh3]

The Hagon is a good replacement I think for the money. The OEM is a roll of the dice if it will last 10k or 80k. The Hagon is rebuildable. When you install I recommend do it so the clicker (adjuster) is accessible from the right side of the bike. That way when parked on side stand you can have a bit more room to access it. They do certainly ride a bit stiffer than the air shock.

[Pic]

I just replaced my leaking OEM shock with the Hagon Saturday along with new braided brake and clutch cables. So far I really like this shock, feels good.

[Leland]

jneer, don't know how I missed this but just now saw your post. I have the Carbon One lift adapter and a lift, floor jack and tools. You are welcome to ride over to my place in Littleton to change your shock. PM me if you wish.

[dljones3626]

Hey there, you had mentioned access from the right side of the bike ot get to the adjusting wrench in there. Do you need to remove the passenger black cover will that get the wrench in there ok to adjust on the Hagon? Just got mine today. Thanks

[djh3]

The spring perch will pretty much only anjust ride heighth. There is a set screw looking thing on the bottom of the shock, that will become your bump/rebound adjustment now. There should be a allen wrench included with shock purchase.

[billmac]

hope I'm not to late but don't change any adjustments on the shock until you've rode it some. they come pre-adjusted from the info you gave them when ordered.