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deafen
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« on: February 10, 2017, 04:39:13 PM » |
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Is it possible to compress a shock enough to reinstall it without using a lift? I'm in the middle of swapping out the fender rails on my IS for Tourer ones, and the left side is done except for reinstalling the shock. Stiff bugger.
I can go get a lift at HF tomorrow morning, but I'd rather not spend the dough if I don't have to - I don't see myself doing tire changes and such, so I'd pretty much just need it for this.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2017, 04:54:44 PM » |
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If the shocks are not on, what is holding the swing arm from compressing all the way up to contact? It would seem like the bike would fall down and there would be no room for the shock at all. They can't be compressed to 6 inches.
If one side is on, the other should go right on, you don't have different length shocks do you?
In any event, do not try to compress the shock (unless you are the Hulk).
You do not need an expensive bike lift, any cheap little bottle or scissor jack (and maybe one from your car) should be enough to help you get things lined up. You may need some wood or other pieces for shims or spacers. If all you need is a little movement, a little creative lever and fulcrum could get it done.
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2017, 05:13:01 PM » |
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If I understand your situation correctly, you have the right shock on and the left shock off and you're trying to get the left back on.
The extra weight on the right shock is compressing it enough that you can't get the left back on.
I doubt you'll ever be able to compress the left shock enough, w/o messing something up.
You're going to have to figure out how to lift your bike, to take the extra weight off the right shock, so that it returns to the correct size and the left will fit.
Like Jess said, you can use any jack, but you'd be better with a bike lift or an extra set of hands.
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« Last Edit: February 10, 2017, 05:15:40 PM by Hook#3287 »
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deafen
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« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2017, 05:34:42 PM » |
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Yeah, that's pretty much it. Dummy here, who has only worked on Jeep suspensions the last 20 years, did not consider the fact that bike shocks have springs in them. Duh.
I'm not okay with using another kind of jack - worried I'd tip the thing over. I'll pick up one of the cheap Craftsman lifts tomorrow. Who knows, maybe it'll come in handy some other time in the future.
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2017, 05:43:24 PM » |
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Yeah, that's pretty much it. Dummy here, who has only worked on Jeep suspensions the last 20 years, did not consider the fact that bike shocks have springs in them. Duh.
I'm not okay with using another kind of jack - worried I'd tip the thing over. I'll pick up one of the cheap Craftsman lifts tomorrow. Who knows, maybe it'll come in handy some other time in the future.
  Believe me, you ain't alone in doing dumb stuff. Those lifts a very handy in alot of things with the Valk, from doing what you're doing to polishing wheels and just general working on her. You'll get your money out of it. |
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2017, 05:51:53 PM » |
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Well, yes and no. The lift will work, it's just a little tippy and that makes for some interesting lifts. For what he's doing, it should work. I use the home made lift adapter on my Tourers and I/S, but on the standard it sits pretty solid w/o. The trick is to find the correct balance spot. If I'm leaving her in the same spot for a while, I'll put her on jack stands. |
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2017, 06:08:00 PM » |
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Yup, that's the one I got, only mine don't look as nice, kinda beat up. |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2017, 06:11:08 PM » |
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Neither does mine. Looks like a refugee from a house fire and a car wash.
But it is the energizer bunny.
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2017, 06:13:17 PM » |
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Oss
Member
Posts: 12602
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #11 on: February 11, 2017, 01:56:43 PM » |
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Can you remember? we did not lift my bike when swapping my leaking 440's (1 at a time) for my original interstate shocks or did we  at least i dont remember using my lift at all |
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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deafen
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« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2017, 02:30:02 PM » |
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Okay, I'm TOTALLY sold. I picked up the Craftsman 1500 lb lift this afternoon (on sale for $99). Turns out the bike already has a lift adapter installed, so hooray for that! Slid the jack under, pumped it up, locked it in, and the shock lined up and slid on like nothin'.
It's a little bulky and it's going to a challenge to find it a home in my exceedingly crowded garage, but I'll make it work. I can see how this will be invaluable in the future.
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Harryc
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« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2017, 02:32:08 PM » |
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Turns out the bike already has a lift adapter installed, so hooray for that! Slid the jack under, pumped it up, locked it in, and the shock lined up and slid on like nothin'.
That was a stroke of luck that it had the adapter already. Nice!! You'll find many uses for it...good investment. I even use mine to clean the wheels. |
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« Last Edit: February 11, 2017, 02:34:56 PM by Harryc »
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ewilberg
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« Reply #14 on: February 13, 2017, 07:44:31 PM » |
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I would for sure get the adapter it makes it so easy to lift the bike. I just put tires on my 2000 Valkyrie Interstate it paid of itself with the first use. Unless your going to take it to the shop you should get just the small lift it"s great especially with this adapter. E |
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