Clinic
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Rear Spring or Dogbone Removal and Replacement |
Written by Pat Martin | ||||||||||||||
Sunday, 04 July 2004 | ||||||||||||||
So you put on a few pounds and figure it’s time for that rear spring upgrade? Installing the upgraded rear spring will stiffen up the bike so it does not bottom out as easily. This job is simpler than you think. Lets review the tools we need:
First put the bike on the lift and make sure it is secure. Only lift the bike to the point where the rear tire is barely touching the shop floor. Remove the rear horn and let the horn lie out of the way. This gives enough access to the front suspension assembly bolt that needs to be removed. Remove the nut on the front bolt. We will also have to remove the rear nut on the bolt that attaches the relay arm to the frame. You might need a helper to slightly lift the rear wheel assembly up and relieve pressure from the bolts to get them out. At this point the suspension assemble is free from the bike. Keep in mind the bike is on a lift and be careful. Once the bolts are completely removed, have the helper lift the back wheel up a little higher and you will be able to work the suspension assembly out of the bottom of the bike. The assembly will come out by dropping the front of it down and removing towards the front of the bike. Now that the suspension assembly is out of the bike we are ready to change the spring. First we need to remove the side links (dogbones) and the relay arm and set them to the side. (If you are just changing dogbones, just exchange them and reinstall everything in reverse order and torque all fastners to the service manual.) Lets take a look at what the assembly will look like disassembled to get familiar with the parts.The small metal retaining ring on the left side of the picture is what holds the assembly together. You can see the grove that is sits in on the disassembled shock. This is hidden under the bottom retaining plate when assembled. Now that we are familiar with the assembly, lets take the shock and spring over to our Press. Warning: The spring is under tension. Keep all body parts away from the assembly while compressing. If the shock/spring assembly comes loose from the press, bodily harm can occur. Install the shock securely in the press as shown. We are going to compress the shock to get to the metal ring that is located under the lower metal retainer plate. Once the shock gets compressed, the ring will be exposed and you will need to remove it from the groove. Keep in mind that the spring is under high pressure and keep you body as clear as possible from the assembly. Once the ring is removed from the groove, slowly release the pressure on the press. You will then be able to remove the assembly and pull the top retaining plate out because it has a cut out in it. This will let the stock spring be removed and replaced from the top. Exchange the spring and reinstall the top plate. Reinstall assembly in press and compress until the metal ring can be reinstalled in the groove. Slowly release pressure from the press and verify that the metal ring is holding the lower retaining plate securely under the lower plate. The remaining steps are just reverse order of removal. Torque all fastners according to the service manual.
Questions should be asked in our forum (Use discuss link below). The forum is very active and you stand a good chance of getting your questions answered there. If you would like to leave feedback for the author, or have additional information you think will benefit others, please use the comment section at the bottom of this page. Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts) DISCLAIMER: This information and procedure is provided as a courtesy and is for informational purposes only. Neither the publishers nor the authors accept any responsibility for the accuracy, applicability, or suitability of this procedure. You assume all risks associated with the use of this information. NEITHER THE PUBLISHERs NOR THE AUTHORs SHALL IN ANY EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OF ANY NATURE ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE USE OR MISUSE OF THIS INFORMATION OR LACK OF INFORMATION. Any type of modification or service work on your motorcycle should always be performed by a professional mechanic. If performed incorrectly, this procedure may endanger the safety of you and others on your motorcycle and possibly invalidate your manufacturer’s warranty. Quote this article on your site | Views: 46472
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