Backrest rail removal

[trevtop]

I feel like a novice for asking, but I'm not getting much in my search for removal of the side support rails for the stock backrest. I'm installing a Kuryakyn Transformer backrest with flip down luggage rack and can't find an easy way to remove the inner forwardmost nut that holds the backrest plate to the rails. Do I have to remove the shock?

[salty1]

The rear fender rail needs to removed, which requires the shock to be removed as well as the other two bolts. 

[trevtop]

Actually I was able to maneuver the fender out of the way to be able to reach the 12 mm head bolt with an open ended wrench without having to remove the shock, although looking at the rust inside the rail, I may go ahead and go all the way before I remount my new brackets. Is there any trick to the shock removal?

[hubcapsc]

Actually I was able to maneuver the fender out of the way to be able to reach the 12 mm head bolt with an open ended wrench without having to remove the shock, although looking at the rust inside the rail, I may go ahead and go all the way before I remount my new brackets. Is there any trick to the shock removal?

With a jack and  a jack-adapter you can jack the bike up until the shocks are neutral... no compression and no tension...
and then just remove the two bolts and take them off. It is unlikely that this "neutral" position will occur right at
one of the jack lock-points, I throw a 1x4 board in the jack scissors to hold the jack from sinking down while the
shocks are off...

-Mike

[Skinhead]

or just do one side at a time.

[Edvalk]

I just loosened the fender rail and an open end wrench worked fine . No need to remove the fender.