rear shock and grab rail

[mike4sho]

Hello,

I am trying to put an interstate rail on my standard.  I pulled the shock absorber off the uppter bolt.  I guess the rubber bushing that's on there was so old it cracked and now I need a new one.  Arrgh.

Once I have the shock absorber off, what do I have to do next?  I looked at the parts list on dlp and it looks like it's a bolt still holding the grab rail on.  I tried to turn it but not luck.

Tried putting the shock absorber back on the little bolt and no luck.  Is there a secret to getting the shock absorber to line up again?   Once I get another rubber bushing I don't know how I'm going to get it to line up.  Thanks in advance.  I guess I should say that I'm not very mechnically inclined, but I'm always willing to try.  

[fordmano]

Hey neighbor, well almost neighbor.

I would be happy to take a look and lend a hand, but my FatGirl is still up on jacks for another week or so.
Your more than welcome to run up to my place and I could help you knock it out.
I don't have a useable garage to hide in but I have plenty of driveway and back yard space to tackle most jobs.

Sorry I am a visual type person so I am not completly sure what your having a problem with, maybe take a few pictures and post up here I could maybe help you that way...

[fordmano]

If your refering to the stud the top of the shock mounts onto, then it is definately a threaded stud and can be turned out... If I remember correctly your gonna need a fairly long handled box end wrench and maybe a cheater pipe on it to get it to spin. No idea what the torque is on that bolt but it surely ain't less then 80-90 lbs.

I will try and get you a picture of how to interlock 2 combination wrenches to help double the length to increase your leverage.

[fordmano]

Maybe flood it with some penetrating oil today and give a try tomorrow after the oil has soaked in. Probably want to spray plenty of brake cleaner on the locations after works to remove the oil as to prevent the threads of being slippery and rattling loose later.

[hubcapsc]

Your rubber bushing was toast, and affects handling, so be glad you found it... change out both of them 

Tried putting the shock absorber back on the little bolt and no luck.  Is there a secret to getting the shock absorber to line up again?

I don't know if you have a lift and a Valkyrie lift adapter, but a good way to get everything to line up is
to jack the bike up just a smidgen so that the shock needs neither to be compressed or tensioned, and it
will slip right on.

-Mike

[Ricky-D]

Yep, there's the problem.

Trying to do that with the bike on the sidestand.

***

[mike4sho]

Hey neighbor, well almost neighbor.

I would be happy to take a look and lend a hand, but my FatGirl is still up on jacks for another week or so.
Your more than welcome to run up to my place and I could help you knock it out.
I don't have a useable garage to hide in but I have plenty of driveway and back yard space to tackle most jobs.

Sorry I am a visual type person so I am not completly sure what your having a problem with, maybe take a few pictures and post up here I could maybe help you that way...

Hey, thanks for the reply.  You aren't too far from me.  I grew up in San Jose (Evergreen area).  Was up there yesterday to see my parents, who still live there.  

Thanks for the offer, I unfortunately can't ride it and don't have a truck or trailer.  If you're ever willing to drive down to Salinas (about 45 minutes) I'll pay your gas and buy you lunch!  Even have beers and cigars if you like them.  I'd even pick ya up and bring up here and back.  I have a garage, a new unused motorcycle jack and maybe all the tools?  I have a Ace an Autozone around the street so not to worried about that.

Trying putting up the pictures, but I can't seem to add them...

[mike4sho]

Your rubber bushing was toast, and affects handling, so be glad you found it... change out both of them 

Tried putting the shock absorber back on the little bolt and no luck.  Is there a secret to getting the shock absorber to line up again?

I don't know if you have a lift and a Valkyrie lift adapter, but a good way to get everything to line up is
to jack the bike up just a smidgen so that the shock needs neither to be compressed or tensioned, and it
will slip right on.

-Mike

Yeah I did it on the side stand and was lifting.  Makes sense, guess I'll have to get the adapter.  Am I looking for a "valkyrie adapter" that's sold by another member or can I get any adapter that's made to fit bikes like the valkyrie?  Thanks.

[Grumpy]

Here is the adapter I use, stays on the bike. Can be a life saver on the road.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-VALKYRIE-HONDA-LIFT-JACK-ADAPTER-1-MUST-HAVE-MOTORCYCLE-ITEM-Save-/170918265075?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27cb85c0f3&vxp=mtr

[mike4sho]

Thanks just got one.

[fordmano]

Evergreen? Dang you were close, I used to live in the east side,,, now we are called Evergreen,,, same location just made my property value go up a little bit. Actually I am near King & Tully, dead center between Tully & Story a few blocks off 101 & 280/680 crossover. What highschool did you go too?

I'll tell you what, the wife and I have been itching for a short ride with my best friend and his wife. The very next weekend as soon as I get my Beast rolling fully safely again let's do a little ride and lunch down your direction... I can get you all squared away with the picture posting thing also.

[mike4sho]

Evergreen? Dang you were close, I used to live in the east side,,, now we are called Evergreen,,, same location just made my property value go up a little bit. Actually I am near King & Tully, dead center between Tully & Story a few blocks off 101 & 280/680 crossover. What highschool did you go too?

I'll tell you what, the wife and I have been itching for a short ride with my best friend and his wife. The very next weekend as soon as I get my Beast rolling fully safely again let's do a little ride and lunch down your direction... I can get you all squared away with the picture posting thing also.

I know the area where you're located.  I grew up down the street from Evergreen Community College. I went to Silver Creek.  I guess if I were still living there know, I'd be going to the Evergreen High School, which is a 7-8 years old?  I grew up off of Aborn and White.

You ever go to King Burger?  It's located in your area and I used to go there in High School.  They made some really good burgers. 

Appreciate you coming down and looking at the bike.  I'm going to send you a PM.

[fordmano]

My son goes to EVCC, never have eatin at King Burger but I have bought thousands of gallons of fuel at the gas station next door.
 
So you must remember the Marisou vineyards. I got into lots of trouble up there back in Highschool. I know some of the family, related to the sons best friend.
The wife used to work at the Olan mills right there on Quimby and white. My best friend lives just a few block down on white between Quimby and Aborn.

SMALL WORLD!!!

[mike4sho]

Wow very small world. Yeah I remember the vineyards.  I went to EVC and then after I got my AA I went to SJSU.  EVC is a good school, my mom just retired from there a few weeks ago.  Went to Quimby Jr. High.  San Jose has changed a lot over the years...