Rear Shock replacement question

[bobbyduck]

Hi - Probably dumb question - if I jack the bike up level, just high enough so the rear tire is barely grounded or say 1/4 inch off the ground, can I change the rear shock assy without removing the rear fender and rear wheel like the maintenance book says? Or do I have to take everything off to do it?

 

Help appreciated!

 

Thanks!

[gunboat]

hi

their is no dumb questions. yes you can get to the rear shock with out taking off the rear fender. i got mine off with out jacking up the bike, but it could make things a little easyer.

best reguards

don c.

[Sleeperhawk]

Since you have an 06, just wonderin why you are removing the rear shock?

 

If it is broke, let Yamaha replace for free, including the work.

[dfitzbiz]

I just replaced mine on the '99 a couple of weeks ago.

Step 1. Remove the seat.

Step 2. Jack up the cycle until the rear tire just touches the ground.

Step 3. Disconnect the air valve by the seat.

Step 4. To get to the top bolt, remove the passanger floor boards. Then the painted "oil tank cover" from each side of the battery compartment. Then the black plastic cover to the rear of the "oil tank cover". You will need a swivel extension for the socket but it isn't to hard to reach. Remove the top bolt.

 

The bottom bolt can be reached from under the cycle.

 

To reinstall, you may have to lift or lower the cycle just a bit.

This wasn't a hard job.

Sorry, I don't have pictures.

Call with questions. 717 873-7992

Dave

[SaltyDawg]

Unless your hands are small and you don't mind contorting your arms I would suggest jacking the bike and removing the rear tire. It only takes 20 minutes and it will make it 1000% easier. What shock are you going to use? The works performance? If not then just let Yamaha take care of replacing it under warranty.

 

There is no need to remove the fender at all.

[bobbyduck]

I thought it shouldn't be too hard to get at - yes I have small hands and even though I'm 57 next week, can still twist around pretty well....however lifting heavy stuff like a wheel/tire can p!ss my old shoulder right off!

 

I'm replacing it with a Works shock....mine isn't "bad" yet but it groans and loses a little air over time. I've had Works shocks in the past and they were great, so I decided to try this one.

 

It isn't here yet, was shipped last Wed. but it takes awhile for UPS to find Canada..

 

Anyhow it should show up probably tomorrow or Thursday, I'm leaving on a trip Saturday pulling my Aspen Classic so it's a debate whether to change it or bring it along in case the stock one pooches....

 

Thanks again! Here's a shot of our Ultra Star Tour Deluxe, it thanks you too!

[Tom]

The Works Performance is what I put on mine also..Just an install tip,On some of the shocks the top bracket on the SHOCK where the hole is MAY need to have a slight bit of sanding to narrow it just a VERY VERY small bit as mine would not fit into the saddle mount.I called Rick and he said some MAY need that as they are close.It only took a small amount and then it went in tight.Glad I put it on! Smoother ride than ever before. Tom..BTW Be Safe and the bike looks GREAT!

[Seaking]

 

It isn't here yet, was shipped last Wed. but it takes awhile for UPS to find Canada..

 

UPS eh? Be sure to lubricate before accepting parcels from UPS... You know what I mean ; )

 

Good luck on your trip!

[bobbyduck]

Thanks to all for your help. The shock arrived yesterday (no charge from UPS..?? not complaining but usually it's STEEP. Works put a NAFTA certification statement in the package, never saw that before, maybe it did the trick..!)

 

So I put it on last night, left the wheel in place, took off both hard bags and all 4 side covers. It was awkward to get to but do-able. Had to grind just a little bit off of the OEM sleeve that rides between the shock's lower saddle mount. Top one went in no problems, except for me losing one O-ring for about half an hour when I bumped the top during the first try.

Also had to get a little creative when torque-ing the top bolt by myself..

 

A short ride to work this morning and I like it LOTS already.

 

I may have to back off the preload ring a bit, it sits about an inch higher than it did stock with 40 pounds air, one-up. But I'll wait, we're going two-up and pulling a fairly large trailer for all next week, may be better like it is.

 

Thanks again!

 

Bob

Edited July 31, 2008 by bobbyduck
typo

[gunboat]

hi bobby

got a guestion on the new works shock you installed. what was the stock#?

i was looking over their application guide, and i think it ref. a ultrasport #649. and may i asked how much for the shock, i thought i had read here someone payed almost $600.00 us dollars? i have a 1999 rsv.

thanks in advance

don c.

[SaltyDawg]

hi bobby

got a guestion on the new works shock you installed. what was the stock#?

i was looking over their application guide, and i think it ref. a ultrasport #649. and may i asked how much for the shock, i thought i had read here someone payed almost $600.00 us dollars? i have a 1999 rsv.

thanks in advance

don c.

 

I'm not sure what the stock number is. They actually don't have them in stock for the RSV they make them custom for each RSV. They take into account your weight and if you ride two up your partners weight, also whether you pull a trailer and what style of driving you do most. They use this information to build the correct shock for YOU. Get with Rick at www.buckeyeperformance.com and he can quote you a price. I'm pretty confident they run over $650.00, but Rick will be able to give you a solid answer. I advise getting it through Rick since he is a dealer and will more than likely be able to get it quicker than you could on your own.

[BradT]

You already have it done but all you have to remove is the Right side trunk off then you can get at the top bolt. Raise the bike, the higher the better to get at the bottom bolt.

 

The lower bolt goes into some block (not sure what it is called) which is loaded with needle brgs. The lower shock bolt, leveling links and the where this mounts to the bike all have needle brgs and should be greased. These can seize up if they get dry.

 

BRad

[Al Bates]

Shock Info.

 

After 72,000 miles on my 02 Midnight the rear shock is wasted. First Diane was saying that even the small bumps was killing her and it’s getting worse. Then I starting checking and comparing other Ventures by putting two hands on the side of the trunk and pushing down. There was no resistance on my 02 just bouncing up and down and most of all the others I check had good shock rebound. I also notice at high speeds around 80-90 the bike was slightly unstable "from years past". After check around I made the decision to go with Works Shocks. I called and talked to I believe his name was Sandy a super nice guy. He was telling me that a shock on that type of cruiser after 2 to 3 years is about worn out. After giving him some information our weight and what we carry with us they (works shocks) made the shock. A rear YA-46003 for $606.43 that’s with a 10% discount and shipping. In two week it was at the house. He did say that this shock is rebuild-able and they will sell me all parts needed to rebuild the shock or they will rebuild it for $75.00 when needed. I got the shock installed and went for the first test ride. The first thing I notice is that the bike sits about two inches higher. We came back and I did some adjustments and it help. There is no air on this shock. This shock has a preload and rebound adjustment. We then went for another ride, much better this time. I’m still in the adjustment stage. Diane said the bikes is riding like it should now. That the bumps don’t hurt anymore. To me it rides like a new bike again. All I can say the folks at works shocks are super to work with and the shock it self is one hell of a piece of engineering.

 

I check the old shock it still had oil in it and still held air. The shock was just worn out.

I did call Yamaha they would not cover it, said the bike was a year out of warranty but if the bike did not have so many miles on it they may have cover it.

 

WORKS SHOCKS

Works Performance Products Inc.

21045 Osborne St.

Canoga, CA 91304

Phone 818.701.1010