shock install problems

[Bob F]

I bought a new set of progressive 412 heavy duty 13" shocks.  I'm 290 lbs.  Anyway, I jacked up the bike with wooden 2x4 block technique sitting on top of flat scissor jack I saw on this forum.  The rear wheel is off the ground. I got the shocks off fine but now I can't get the swing arm to go down far enough to accommodate the new 13" shocks.  I've watched youtube vids and figured the wheel would drop down, I would adjust the jack where the holes align and be in business.  I must be missing something.  I've got the blocks right behind the kick stand.  Is this too far back?  I don't want to put the scissor jack right under the engine do I? Too much stress on the aluminum bottom of the motor.  Help!

[hubcapsc]

I'm not sure about the "2x4" method of support... a bunch of us use one of several
commercially available jack adapters... make sure you don't jack your bike up on
the headers... here's some pictures that might help, I was changing a tire, but
I take the shocks off when I do that...







-Mike "I have 13 inch progressive shocks..."

[The emperor has no clothes]

I suspect either the 2x4 is interfering with letting the swing arm down. Or, more likely the exhaust hanger nuts are. Did you remove them and wedge a piece of wood (or something) in there to spread out the exhaust enough to let the swing arm down ?

[MarkT]

Is the swingarm fully extended or is the tire touching down?  I have had the swingarm run out of travel before it matched the length of 13" 444's.  This was with the bike on a table lift and a BlackWidow scissors jack lifting the whole bike well off the table lift - and another scissors jack to raise and lower the back wheel.  ( I use my permanent lift adapter (that I make and sell) which attaches to the engine bottom.)  Then I had to compress the shock to get it on, on the right side.  You can install it on top then lever the bottom up & aligned with big screwdrivers.  I also have a spring suspension compressor tool for offroad trucks I adapted for use here when nothing else may work.

[Bob F]

Is the swingarm fully extended or is the tire touching down?  I have had the swingarm run out of travel before it matched the length of 13" 444's.  Then I had to compress the shock to get it on, on the right side.  You can install it on top then lever the bottom up & aligned with big screwdrivers.  I also have a spring suspension compressor tool for offroad trucks I adapted for use here when nothing else may work.

Im suspecting the swing arm is fully extended.  The tire is off the ground.  My 2x4 adapter is situated immediately behind the kick stand.  Just to confirm.  I should not try to lift the bike without 'some kind' of adapter, right?  I may have to do the compression thing. 

[Bighead]

As Rob stated the exhaust hanger nuts will stop the swing arm from moving.

[Jess from VA]

As Rob stated the exhaust hanger nuts will stop the swing arm from moving.

That must be happening.  With the swing arm all the way down, the shocks must fit on (20 inchers would).  While up on the jack, do not let the swing arm fall down hard past the rear exhaust hangers or you can damage the Ujoint.  I never had to spread the exhaust, my swing arm would just gently scrape past as I jacked the bike up.

[h13man]

I'd say the blocking is interfering with the swing arm movement. I drop my swingarm DOWN to clear the exhaust to do tire changes using adjustable hangers/hooks to hold it while the shocks are off. I use a cherry picker as my jack of choice on both ends and jack stands.

[MarkT]

On Jade my swingarm doesn't hit the exhaust mounts.  It may be hitting the belly tank first.  Something for me to watch for next time I need to pull the shocks.

[Bob F]

I hadn't had a chance to get to the bike for a few days due to work schedule.  Last evening I took all you guys said and the pics you shared, I found in fact I didn't have the block far enough forward and it wasn't allowing the swing arm to come down far enough.  When I got it re situated and started jacking it up and the tire came further and further down I felt two things.  First foolish cuz I should have seen that myself and then fist pumpin YESSS!  Shocks went on as easy as they did in all the vids on youtube.  Thanks ya'll for the help.