I just used a wooden wedge. I had a ton of smoke when I first put mine on too, but mainly from the sealer I put on the wraps.

 

I know you already got it, but I use a pair of snap ring pliers kinda like this to spread the clamp and get it over the head pipe.



They usually smoke quite a bit the first time they get hot, just the paint baking on.

What kind of shocks are you running? I have my old stock 12" street bob shocks that are completely powder coated black I'm looking to get rid of.
They can kinda be seen here.