Hey Guys,

I've purchased new12" air shocks to replace the stock 13" on my 2003 Ultra. The manual says to do one side at a time. Question - Won't that create a problem due to difference in the shock length? Seems to me that I'll be stuck either installing or removing one of them. Is it safe to remove both at once if the bike is properly supported? If not how do I best proceed with this installation? Thanks in advance for your helpand comments.

Frank

 

how high ya got that bike jacked up? that ya need steps???

I would have thought ya would be squattin???


man!! ya can learn alot here....

 

its not hard when you are going from longer to shorter to do one side at a time. but when going the other way, then you definitely have to jack the bike up so you can get the new shocks on.

 

Do not remove both of the shocks at the same time. This will cause the weight of the bike to place undo stress on therear fender, whichwill be pushing on thetire. You' ll screw up your fender. Do as the manual instructed you to do, one side at a time.

Later,

JB

 

If you use a bike jack and jack up the bike you can take both shocks off at the same time.

 

Use a bike lift to raise the bike & put a floor jack under the rear tire. This makes the job really easy.

 

All I can say is it must be really cold in Upstate New York.

 

Frank, You are correct.

The manual assumes that you are replacing the shock with the same. I do these all of the time. You can do as greg09997 said “Use a bike lift to raise the bike & put a floor jack under the rear tire. This makes the job really easy.” as you do not have to bend down as far. Or you may do as eglidetrike1 said “If you use a bike jack and jack up the bike you can take both shocks off at the same time.” Either both have to come off no matter what way you are going because you are changing the length of the shocks.

I sometimes just roll my bike up on my table, put a scissor jack under the frame, take the weight of the mounting bolts, unbolt, than raise or lower the jack what ever the case calls for and re-bolt to mount the new shocks on. A table is mighty handy to set your beer on while remaining seated and allows you the option of rolling around the bike on your power stool.

 

Thanks for your answers. This site is a great source for information !!!