Replacing shocks

[Mike in AR]

While out on a ride today, 2 up, I noticed that we were bottoming out on even the smallest of bumps and dips. Pulled over and discovered the right shock has been leaking and the rubber cup at the top of the shock is half missing. These are Progressive 412's. Luckily when I had these put on I had them give me the old shocks. My problem is that once I got the Left shock off, the bike lowered so much that I can not get the old shock on. Is there a special trick to get it on or do I need a motorcycle jack and adapter? If I have to have a jack, will it work without the adapter? I can pick up a jack tomorrow at Harbor Freights, but don't know where I would get an adapter on such short notice.

  I have even tried picking up the rear of the bike while having the wife try to slip the shock onto the top mount. Just can't get it quite high enough.  Any help will be appreciated. TIA

          Mike

[Scott from FL, now in Maine]

As far as I know you'll need a jack. Safer on your back too. I have an adapter permanantly mount on my bike, but I think a piece of 2x4 will work too. I am sure someone will speak up
 

[39 Chev]

I think you will find it's alot easier with a lift.   I put a small piece of a 4x4 under the back tire and used the lift to take pressure off or increase pressure while pulling the shock off and installing the new shock.

For an adapter, go to the Shoptalk  section (look at the gold colored words towards the top of the page) and then look for "Waynes tips".  He has a bunch of instructions on how to make an adapter.  I used "mac's" instructions (at the very bottom of the Adapter thread) to make mine.  Really easy to make and works great.

There's some very good info in that Shoptalk section!

[alan]

I can get my I/S to stand up straight enough and high enough to clean the wheels without using the adapter. One leg of the jack under the oil pan and the other supported by a piece of wood under the sidestand crossmember. Take it easy and think your way through it.

[hubcapsc]

Here's a lift adaptor from shoptalk that should fix you up...

http://www.herberts.org/wayne/valk/lowtechlift.htm



-Mike

[R J]

Do you have a floor jack or a bottle jack?

If so, put a small piece of 2X4 on top of the jack, slide it under the engine, jack it up enough to make contact.

Holler at your wife or a friend, stand the bike up straight, put the jack under the rear of the engine, you stabilize the bike, have them jack slowly, when you think the rear is in the air enough, try the shock, won't go yet, go up or down as needed.

Easy on the inserts.   They no line up, you can really bend the pee wadden out of them,

On my bike, I put a point on each bolt so that it was self aligning......   Saves the hassle of lift or sqat the rear end.      You can be off 1/2 a hole and if the point starts, it will align itself and screw in........

[Mike in AR]

Thanks to all of you who replied. I got my jack today from Harbor Freight, and and made an adapter like the one in Shop Talk. Once everything was in place, it only took me about 10-15 minutes to get the old shocks off and put the oem shocks back on.

Special thanks to Beastrider for the easy to follow instructions for building an adapter.
 
Now, if I can find my sales ticket for the Progressive Shocks, I will see what kind of deal I can work out with them on a new set of shocks. These are only about 2 years old. If they won't work with me I guess I'll start looking else where for a set.

Anyway, once again, thanks to all for the comments and advice.

[Patrick]

I know this reply is now too late.. Did you try replacing the shocks one at a time?? If you have or want a lift then using a jack stand under each engine guard will steady the bike [and I pick the front wheel off the ground with this method] then you raise the rear by placing a jack under the rear of the engine..