Hyperpro shock install

[Bikespod]

All done. Shock in. Front springs changed, new oil and dust seals, new spark plugs.
If you can afford it, pay someone else to do it. Two very long days and I’m totally broken.
My old Yamaha XT was a doddle to work on by comparison. The spark plugs are a nightmare to change. So much to remove or move before you can even start the job.

[Bikespod]

I have to report on a ride through London, it’s a big improvement. Front feels way better, more planted, and I’m not steering around every bump any more. Much better spring rate. Speed bumps no longer make me wince either.
Back feels firmer, yet more compliant. Rebound much improved. Wheel feels like it’s tracking road rather than jolting over imperfections. Looking forward to being able to test it better when everything is drier and warmer.
In the meantime it feels safer for getting through winter riding too.

[Slaine]

Thanks for this update - really good to hear that it makes a genuine difference. 

[Bikespod]

Shock absorber replacement. First get your bike somewhere warm 😉



Then undo front plastics to allow you to prop the tank up on a block of wood



Under the tank move the rubber gaiter to expose the shock top mount. Leave it done up until you are ready to remove the shock



Remove exhaust muffler and rear wheel



Support rear swingarm on a jack or similar. Remove shock linkage and dog bone.



You should then have the shock left dangling on the top mount



Undo top mount nut whilst supporting the shock and guide it out to the left side of bike. Swap top mount bracket from old to new


Swingarm supported. It’s very heavy and will damage pipework etc if left to dangle.



Lubricate linkages by pushing the bearing tube half way out, grease and repeat from other side.



Grease and clean linkages and dog bone



Reassemble and torque to correct figures


Front fork springs. Support bike on correct stands. Only use the headstock stand in combination with a rear stand.
This is a good time to replace anything else that’s worn, like my dust seals



Remove wheel, mudguard, callipers ( support to avoid hose damage )



Remove forks



Undo top caps carefully. Retain downward pressure until they pop up. Use a spanner under the top cap to release the locknut to allow top cap removal from damper rod.





Remove springs ( comparison photo Hyperpro on left ) drain old oil from forks, pump them over a container.
Refill to correct level


Tie a string to top of damper rod to help with retrieving it when you put new springs in. And reassemble everything to correct torque.

[Skids]

If I tried to do that, before I even got a chance to mess it up, Mrs Skids would have shot me! 

[Bikespod]

It took a few days of persistence and insistence. I basically just did it when they went out and then started stripping it down, so there was no choice.
It only took a weekend and then it was back outside. 12 hour days.
But to be fair the Mrs was fairly cool about it.
It was dark and cold and rainy outside, no garage here unfortunately 

[reasty]

Great sequence- thanks for sharing. You should be knighted!
Are they barkbuster handguards?

[Bikespod]

Thanks Reasty
It got a bit out of sequence, but hopefully anyone considering doing the job would get the gist. Tricky to do it on a mobile.
Yes, Barkbuster blizzards. Not that pretty, but great at protecting your mitts on a cold / wet ride. They’ll be coming off when I do the handlebar modifications and hopefully the weather will improve accordingly ( or I’ll have to put them back on temporarily)
I just have to get rid of those plastic covers.
Then she’ll be perfect 😉

[Beetlejuice]

 

[Crosspurpose]

Thanks Bikespod That’s a really good write-up.